How to Keep Your Skin Happy and Bright this Holiday Season

Posted by Allyson Owens on

photo for blog post how to keep your skin happy and bright this holiday season 2022

The holidays are here! That means a lot of excitement and enjoying the merriments of the season. But for many, this also means extra stress, less sleep, more eating and drinking – not to mention all foods this time of year seem to have loads of sugar in it. Our skin is a reflection of what is going on inside our bodies, and with stress, sugar and the like, breakouts and/or unhappy skin can be the outcome.

Here are our tips for a holiday glow all season long:

    1. We know this can be hard. But it is an important one - eat less sugar! Sugar intake spikes cortisol, creates inflammation and affects our hormones, and hormones are connected to breakouts. And when it comes to your hormones, nutrition is KEY! Your brain is in constant communication with the rest of your body every day via your hormones. The energy and nutrients you obtain from your diet are the raw materials your body needs to produce hormones and properly fuel your body. But let’s dive a little deeper to your liver. That’s right, the underrated organ that is designed to filter out toxins from food and chemicals we are exposed to daily. Your skin is a way your body excretes toxic waste. Whatever the large intestine and liver isn't able to get rid of, your skin steps in. The best way to offset those sugar cravings is by eating a balanced meal that consists healthy protein, fat, and fiber-rich carbs. Since the holidays are all about indulging, just be prepared by eating a balanced meal before attending the festivities. It’s important to also try and eat your protein (chicken, beef, fish, lentils) and healthy fats (avocado, coconut oil, plain yogurt, walnuts, etc) first and foremost. That’ll slow down digestion which keeps you full longer leaving you to indulge in the pie, biscuits, or mashed potatoes a little less. Meaning your blood sugar won’t spike so quick leaving you to crave more sugar and carbs. Check out THIS video and THIS video for more info.
        2. Another one we know can be hard for many, especially this time of year with all the holiday parties - consume less alcohol. It weakens your immune system and there some evidence that shows there isn’t actually any safe level of alcohol consumption. If you are going to drink alcohol, Dr. Gonzalez suggests drinking green tea immediately before or after consuming alcohol to lessen the toxin load on the body. If you want the taste of alcoholic drinks you enjoy without the negative effects to your skin and body, try some of these non-alcoholic mocktail drinks that taste great and satisfies the taste buds - Ghia, Curious Elixirs, Little Saints and for the beer connoisseurs check out Hopark.
            3. Check your gut. When the gut is out of balance, our immune system is out of balance. And all diseases begin in the gut. So, chances are, if you’re experiences skin issues or any other issues, there could be a chance your gut may need some attention. Pre and Probiotics is great to help support the good bacteria in the gut. HERE is a blog post explaining this more in detail.
                4. You knew this was coming – eat more fruits and vegetables! There is no denying that fruits and veggies improve your health! But did you also know that fruits and veggies act as a prebiotic and feeds on the good bacteria in your gut? Every body is different but if you are experiencing sensitivity and breakouts this can be related to the gut. So fill up on those fruits and veggies daily and see if you notice skin improvements. Check out the blog post mentioned in #3 that explain this equation. PREbiotics + PRObiotics = POSTbiotics. Here you’ll find how this is beneficial to your gut health but also great resources of these types of fiber. But note, a great way to improve your health including gut health is by eating a diversity of plants.

                    Recipes You May Enjoy:

                    Roasted Butternut Squash with Lemon Tahini

                    Hearty Tuscan Kale Soup

                    Black Bean Tostadas with Lime Slaw

                    Roasted Spring Veggie Bowl with Herby Ranch

                    Whole Roasted Romesco Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

                    roasted butternut squash with lemon tahini
                      5. Move that lymph! Your lymphatic system plays a huge role in detoxifying the body by moving metabolic waste, toxins, dead cells from your organs and deposits them into the liver and large intestine. If they become clogged then toxins recirculate in the body. When lymph is properly moved in the body, our bodies can better handle the body burden of whatever we encounter in that day (i.e. stress, pollution, sugar and so on). Some ways to move lymph include drink plenty of water, gua sha, lymphatic drainage massage, sauna, and exercise!
                        6. Prioritize rest. Do you have to attend every holiday gathering? Would travel over the holidays leave you feeling stressed and drained? Prioritizing consistent sleep, between 6-8 hours, is best, plus your body does the most detox work while you sleep. Radical self care is essential during the holidays and proper rest should be a non-negotiable. Check out this article especially if you have a hard time with a consistent sleep schedule: 10 Achievable Ways to Reset Your Circadian Rhythm.
                          7. Get outside! As the weather cools down and the days are shorter, we are spending less time outside and less time being exposed to daylight. The sun on our skin is critical to vitamin D synthesis and this improves our overall immunity. So make sure you get outside on those sunny days whenever you can! And catch the sunlight first thing in the AM if possible. Exposing our eyes to sunlight during sunrise can help regulate your circadian rhythm and also ward off feelings of depression.
                            8. Meditate everyday. Even if you only have 5 minutes a day, spend some time checking in with yourself and see how you are feeling. Those with a regular meditation practice experience less stress and have an easier time handling stressful situations. Some deep diaphragmatic breathing and a mental body scan is a great way to check in with yourself or perhaps repeating a mantra works better for you to tune in – something like, “My body is healthy and strong and it has the amazing ability to heal itself”.


                              9. Wear balanced, healthy skincare! The Skin Care Set from Pleni is a great option as it has ingredients to balance, brighten and smooth skin while keeping it looking clear with healthy, whole food ingredients like papaya, carrot, tomato and cucumber. This set performs many benefits for the skin and with its MADE SAFE certification, you know the ingredients are non-toxic and will not add to your body burden.

                              pleni nutritious skincare set including enzyme cleansing oil and day squad face oil

                                And if you try to keep it healthy during the holidays and fall short, do not fret! Natalie from Precious Time Blog is hosting a 7-Day Liver Reset Program soon! Stay in the know and grab your copy as soon as it’s LIVE by singing up for @nataliee_michel newsletter. Sign Up Here

                                Hope you enjoyed these helpful tips on how to keep your skin merry and bright this holiday season.

                                Happy Holidays!

                                Allyson, Founder of Pleni and Natalie Michel, Holistic Health Coach | Gut and Hormones

                                 

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                                Pleni Founder Allyson Owens Holiday Gift Guide 2021

                                Posted by Allyson Owens on

                                I love to give gifts! Especially gifts that have a health focus. I believe in gifting my values and understand that for each healthy product I choose to spend my money on, that is a vote for the kind of world I want to live in. So if you feel the same way perhaps some of the gift ideas below will resonate with you! These gift ideas are not random; they are currently something I already have purchased myself and believe they would make great gifts for others. I hope you agree and if you have any questions about one (or all) of the gifts below, just send us a DM on Instagram, a chat through our website or connect via email. We check all three daily :).  Without further ado, THE GUIDE! 

                                PLENI FOUNDER HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021

                                1. I love the Fontana Candle Co. candles. They smell great, use safe ingredients and burn clean, and release healthy negative ions in the air.  Plus they are MADE SAFE certified which is a big deal in my book as you know the vetting has been done for you. No research required on your end. You seriously cannot go wrong with these candles. Highly recommend. 

                                2. Last year the ladies in my life received the Bare Hands The Dry Gloss Manicure Kit and this year it will be their newly released The Natural Pedicure.  The foot file is the best I've ever used. My feet have never been so smooth! 

                                3. I am a huge fan of light therapy! I love the TrueLight Energy Scarlet Lux because it is portable and it can be used on different parts of the body. This model uses red light (think deep wound healing and energy production within the cells) and also yellow (or amber) light which focuses on the top layers of the skin and can address skin irritation, flushing, the appearance of enlarged capillaries and so on. On my face, I like to use the option on this lamp that pulses both the red and yellow light and you can really feel it working on the skin. Also, remember this can be used on the body! Think areas of pain like tennis elbow, sore back and so on. 

                                4. This is something I have gifted a few times already! Leefy Organics makes this incredible product called Prana. Consider this "nature's pain reliever" with a combo of turmeric and ginger. It tastes YUMMY! Plus we all know how good turmeric and ginger is for us. It is a great supplement to reduce pain and inflammation. My husband had a headache and I gave him some Prana and the headache was gone. I also think this is a great option for those who perhaps do not want to cook with turmeric or make golden lattes :). You can drop Prana under the tongue, hold it for a few seconds and then swallow. Dare I say this should be included in everyone's medicine cabinet?

                                5. Hamama definitely had me in mind as their ideal customer when they created the microgreens indoor grow kit. I placed an order immediately the first time I saw an ad from this company!  I am on the subscription plan and have the microgreen refill seed quilts sent to me every month. I like to add the microgreens to salads, on top of pizza, mix into pestos, add to smoothies and so on. This would make a great gift for the healthy foodie in your life plus the microgreens couldn't be easier to grow. 

                                6. A dear friend turned me onto Vanessa Lianne Jewelry. I adore her custom signet rings. The rings are special because you can customize the ring with something meaningful on it, like a mantra. Plus, for the entire month of November, every Silver Signet ring purchase will come with a free diamond upgrade! I am gifting this ring to my sisters with the word JOY engraved on the ring to remind us to find the JOY in the everyday; to search for and savor those magical small moments! If someone on your holiday gift list loves meaningful jewelry, check out these beautiful rings. 

                                7. Would it be a proper holiday season if Pleni wasn't included in the holiday gift guide? Of course not! We love the Skin Care Set as it has our two certified nontoxic, vegan and fruit and veggie-filled Enzyme Cleansing Oil and Day Squad Face Oil bundled together at a great price. This set covers deep cleansing, exfoliation, protection, brightening, nourishing and moisturizing the skin. That is a lot of functionality for just two products! 

                                8. For all of my blonde friends and those who are embracing their gray hair, the Bruns N°24 Blond Beauty Conditioner is the cleanest purple conditioner I have found. The ingredient list is nice and short as well (so refreshing!). Plus it smells good. My friend Lisa sells it on her website #supportfemaleownedbusinesses. Switching to natural in the hair care category can be hard; this product makes it really easy. 

                                9. OK this product isn't cheap. It's the Medic Green Ultra from Somavedic. I had to sit on this price tag for a while. And maybe this would be a good gift for yourself as a holiday present or whenever financially reasonable? The benefit of the Medic Green Ultra is that it harmonizes the home and mitigates the effects of EMF, 5G and WiFi that we are constantly bombarded with. A healthy home is very important to me, and having a device that can neutralize the effects of EMF, 5G and WiFi is something I am very interested in for myself and my family. Plus the "field" created from this device is found to create a calmer living environment. I don't know about you, but I would do just about anything for a peaceful, calm home environment! Last, this device can restructure water to make it more like the water found in nature (think streams) and also found in our cells. It is my understanding that the restructured water can penetrate cells easier and hydrate the body on a deeper level. Is this cool or what? Again, this product is an investment but it could be something you bring into your home (or a loved ones home as a holiday gift) to increase overall health and vitality. If I get questions about any of the products in this gift guide I am sure this one will get the most. I am happy to share my experience! 

                                Here is a short list of my go-to holiday gifts in the past:

                                1. Erin's Faces Matcha Mascara.  This mascara had me at the word "matcha". Love the glass packaging, too! Feels substantial and luxe. 

                                2. Everyone in my neighborhood gets a gift from us. And it is always the holiday soaps from Kosmatology. Teachers/staff get this every year, too. We started this tradition before covid ;). 

                                3. As mentioned above, I gifted all the ladies in my life the Bare Hands The Dry Gloss Manicure Kit last year. 

                                4. Razors are not eco. This one is. Plus it is chic and beautiful. 

                                 

                                In good health this holiday season and always,

                                Allyson xx

                                Founder, Pleni Naturals 

                                 

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                                Pleni Won 5 Awards!

                                Posted by Allyson Owens on

                                Pleni WON 5 Awards in The Beauty Shortlist 2021 Mama & Baby Awards! 
                                Pleni won in the following categories:
                                BEST NATURAL BABY BRAND 2021 - USA
                                BEST CLEANSING OIL - Pleni Enzyme Cleansing Oil 
                                BEST SHAMPOO & BABY WASH - Pleni Apple + Broccoli Hair & Body Wash
                                BEST BABY OIL - Pleni Cucumber + Grape Baby Oil 
                                BEST NAPPY BALM - Pleni Berry + Olive Barrier Balm
                                To see the complete list of winners and to learn more about The Beauty Shortlist visit here
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                                Instructional Video - How to use the Enzyme Cleansing Oil plus key benefits!

                                Posted by Allyson Owens on

                                Have you ever wondered if you are oil cleansing properly? Because it will help you get the most out of your oil cleanser and create an overall superior cleansing experience!

                                Check out the video we created below on how to properly oil cleanse:

                                But why should you oil cleanse?

                                We highlight the key benefits of oil cleansing with the Pleni Naturals Enzyme Cleansing Oil so you understand why this form of cleansing is superior to traditional soap or water based cleansers:

                                • Cleansing oils remove dirt, debris and makeup more effectively than water based formulas. The reason is because a cleansing oil works like a solvent or "magnet" on the skin, lifting and binding makeup, dirt and debris. In other words, with a cleansing oil, “like dissolves like” and a cleansing oil efficiently and deeply cleanses without stripping skin of its natural protective barrier, making oil cleansing appropriate for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone.
                                • The oil cleansing method makes washing your face a unique cleansing experience! Once you activate the oils by adding water to your skin and start massaging, the oils transform into a milk to help effortlessly remove the cleanser – while leaving your skin feel refreshed and balanced; not stripped!
                                • BONUS! Our cleansing oil also contains exfoliating papaya enzymes! The enzymes digest dead skin cells and help prep the skin for leave on skin care products like toners, serums, and oils. The reason it is so important to exfoliate regularly is because your skin care products cannot absorb through a layer of dead skin cells. It would be such a shame to moisturize your dead skin cells and not fresh, healthy facial skin! 
                                • BONUS #2! Our cleansing oil is more bang for your buck! Instead of having to purchase a separate exfoliating mask, you can cleanse and exfoliate with our 2 in 1 product, saving you time and money! This is something we can all use a bit more of, right?

                                Some things to note when using the Enzyme Cleansing Oil:

                                1. For the best experience please shake the bottle each time before you start pumping out the product.

                                2. Make sure you save the little black security clip that goes over the pump cap. This comes in handy when traveling.

                                3. You can return your cleansing oil pump to us as they are typically not curb side recyclable.  Plus you will get a discount off your next order. More info about our recycling program here

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                                Why pH Is Important in Skin Care

                                Posted by Allyson Owens on

                                Being the aesthetician that I am, I am all about the pH of a product!

                                But first, what is pH?

                                The term pH stands for “power of hydrogen” and it measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. The pH range is from 0-14 and the lower the pH, the more acidic a solution is. The higher the pH, the more alkaline a solution is. The pH of water is 7, and it is a neutral pH. The skin’s natural pH, interestingly enough, is slightly acidic with a range between 4.5 and 5.5. So when a product says it is “pH balanced”, it is within the same range as the skin’s pH, between 4.5 and 5.5.

                                How does pH of a product affect the skin and why is it important to use pH balanced products?

                                The skin has a lipid layer called the “acid mantle”, which is a protective film the body naturally produces on the top layer of the skin. This film creates a “barrier” and keeps unwanted bacteria and other pathogens from entering or thriving on the skin. When we use cleansers or products that are pH balanced, the protective lipid barrier is kept in tact, which supports the skin’s natural, healthy, slightly acidic state. Using pH balanced skin care is also important for protecting and not stripping our skin's microbiome, which we have learned is really important for proper skin immune function.

                                Looking closer at a baby’s skin, it is thinner and the lipid barrier is not as fully formed as an adult’s skin, making it more vulnerable to dryness, irritation and other skin issues. This makes it that much more important to use pH balanced skin care products, since baby skin is already more delicate and more easily thrown off balance and when baby's skin is balanced, it is hydrated, healthy, and free of irritation!

                                Alternatively, when we use soaps on our skin that are alkaline, the skin’s lipid barrier is stripped away, disrupting the skin’s natural, healthy state, making it more susceptible to pathogens and other environmental elements. Typical side effects of a skin with a disrupted lipid barrier is dry skin, irritation, and dermatitis. Interestingly, castile soap, which is found in many baby wash formulas, is alkaline with a pH between 8-9 (or higher). Understanding that products that are alkaline strip the skin’s natural protective lipid layer, we don’t feel castile soap is an ideal choice for sensitive skin and especially in baby care products.  FYI Castile soap in baby washes usually reads olive oil (or sometimes coconut oil) and potassium hydroxide on the ingredient list. When the oil is mixed with potassium hydroxide in a chemical process, this creates the castile soap.

                                 

                                The Pleni Naturals product that is pH balanced is the Apple + Broccoli Hair & Body Wash . FUN SCIENCE-Y FACT: we cannot measure the pH of the Cucumber + Grape Baby Oil or the Berry + Olive Baby Balm because these two products are made from oils, and you need an aqueous solution (like water) to measure pH!

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