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Product Insight: What I Use & Why

 

Hello Readers,

I have received a few emails over the past couple of months from a few of you containing questions regarding some of the products I use on a daily basis such as shampoo, soap, skincare, etc. It got me thinking that I should just provide an overview of products so that those who may be searching for a different product can see firsthand some of the products that I have come to love and that work well with my body despite my epilepsy.

As an epileptic, my body tends to be extra sensitive to everything, most especially synthetic ingredients. I have searched far and wide for chemical-free products in every area of my life.
I am happy to say that I have found great success in eliminating chemicals from my diet through organic and from-scratch meals. However, the one area that continues to befuddle me is cosmetics.
I even gave organic cosmetic products a try for a short while, completely convinced that I was doing better for my body. I mean, the very term “Organic” automatically means that a product is, without a doubt, better, right? Usually, I have found the answer to this question to be “Yes.”

However, once I discovered that Soy is included in every organic cosmetic company’s definition of “vegetable-derived” ingredients; I had to rethink my “Yes.” In Organic cosmetic products, ingredients like Tocopherol or Vitamin E are most commonly derived from soy instead of synthetic chemicals like you find in non-organic products. Honestly, I’m not sure which is worse for someone like myself who happens to be extremely allergic to soy. To make matters worse, these ingredients (tocopherol and vitamin e) are used in the majority of organic cosmetics. I cannot speak for every organic company, of course, so I still hope that there are products out there despite the fact that I have never found a single one.

My problem with soy is the fact that it is commonly known as a seizure trigger for many epileptics. It has certainly been known to cause issues for me, so overall this is a really bad ingredient choice for the epileptic consumer. It definitely isn’t healthy for the human body! Soy will wreck anyone’s hormones both female and male due to the fact that it is indeed an estrogen inhibitor meaning the consumption of soy will cause the human body’s production of estrogen to increase. See why this particular increase would be detrimental to the balance of your hormones, especially a male’s hormones???

So, long story short is my attempt to cleanse my makeup, skincare, and haircare products resulted in an increase in my seizure activity. Soy-derived ingredients being the primary cause of my increase. This was pretty much the opposite reaction to what I had been expecting and it made me realize that just because a product says “organic” does not make it completely incapable of containing poor quality ingredients. As per usual, you cannot judge a book by its cover therefore more information is always necessary before one can make an informed decision.

 

Based on my experience with both organic and inorganic products, I have come to this conclusion:

 

It is best to use the product that works for you and that does not increase your seizure activity even if it does contain not-so-great ingredients. I am sharing this with you because I’d like to try to explain the logic behind my product choices despite my desire to use clean, healthy products. The products below may not be completely free of synthetic ingredients, but they are free of the ingredients that I know to be seizure triggers for me personally. These are the products that I can use on a daily basis without increasing my seizure activity. The fact of the matter is that I need to wash my hair, my face, my body, I need to moisturize, and I prefer to use makeup. So, here are the cosmetic products and toiletries that work best for me at this moment in time AND have proven to have no effect on my seizure activity.

Every person’s body is different so just because something works for me does not mean it will work successfully for you as well. The truth is, no one knows your body like you do so listen to your gut when trying something new.

I do hope that this list will prove to be helpful for some of my readers. If you happen to have extra questions about any of my product choices, please feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com.

I’m always happy to help! 🙂

Haircare:

Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo & Conditioner

Oribe Dead End Treatment

Oribe Smoothing Blowout Cream

Bumble & Bumble Bb. Strong Finish Hairspray

Body:

Soap – Silver Miracles Colloidal Silver Soap Bar (Unscented)

Body Lotion – Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion

Hand Lotion – Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream

Body/Hand Lotion – Handmade Lotion (from-scratch recipe from Wellness Mama, which you can also find here on the blog)

Sunscreen – Banana Boat Simply Protect Baby Sunscreen (I know it’s for babies, but because of this fact it is extra gentle on adult skin as well so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin.)

Deodorant – Freedom Natural Deodorant Large Stick (Unscented)

*Side Note: Where body and hand lotion are concerned, I prefer to use my own Homemade Lotion product whenever possible because it is completely free of synthetic ingredients and soy. You can also find the recipe here on the blog. It smells wonderful and moisturizes my skin like no other product. However, it is difficult to travel with so those days require me to use either Lubriderm or Gold Bond. These products are also great at moisturizing and my body is okay with their formulas despite the synthetic ingredients so they have made the list.

 

Skincare:

My morning & evening routine:

Karin Herzog Professional Cleansing Gel (Cleanser)

Karin Herzog Vit-A-Kombi 1 Anti-Aging Cream (Correct)

Karin Herzog Oxygen Face Normalizing Cream (Moisturize)

Skincare Tools: Karin Herzog Small face brush (used with Vit-A-Kombi cream) & Karin Herzog Silk Towel (used with Professional Cleansing Gel)

*Side Note: You have probably noticed that every single product listed above is from Karin Herzog. No, this is not some paid promotional ad, I simply happen to love Karin Herzog’s products. The quality of each (right down to the accompanying beauty tools) is of great quality and every single product delivers noticeable results. My skin always feels fantastic and completely nourished after I’m finished with my daily skincare regimen. Thus my preference for all things Karin Herzog when it comes to my skin…just in case you were wondering 🙂

 

 

Makeup:

Foundation – Becca Ultimate Coverage 24-hour Foundation (liquid)

Concealer – Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer

Eyebrow – Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift Eyebrow Pencil

Mascara – IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara

Setting Powder – Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder

Highlighter – Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter (color: Prismatic Amethyst)

Bronzer – Tom Ford The Ultimate Bronzer (So this product is sold out everywhere, I’m thinking maybe the company isn’t making it anymore…huge bummer, I know! I can’t provide a link to the product I’m currently using, but I can say that I would use other Tom Ford bronzer products in a heartbeat. I’ve heard great things about his Soleil Glow Bronzer so here’s the link for that product instead.)

Blush – Marc Jacobs Air Blush Duo

 

Nail Polish & Remover:

Remover – Cutex Regular Strength Nail Polish Remover

Nail Polish – Nailberry, Butter London, & Smith & Cult

 

Extras:

Toothpaste – Weleda Calendula Toothpaste

Mouth Wash – Listerine Cool Mint Ultraclean Mouthwash

Floss – Glide Pro-Health Original Floss

Contact Solution – Opti-Free Pure Moist Solution

Anti-bacterial Care – Sovereign Silver Colloidal Silver Dropper

Perfume – Gya Labs Vanilla Essential Oil

Well, those are all of the products I can think of right now, but like I said above please feel free to email (katie@seizethedayblog.com) if you have any questions about the products I mentioned as well as products I may not have mentioned. As per usual, I am not a doctor therefore this list should not be considered as medical advice and you should always consult your doctor before making any changes to your daily routine. I am simply sharing with my readers some of the products I like to use in my own daily routine.

Thank you for reading!

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Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com].

 

Homemade Lotion Recipe

When it comes to ingredient labels you want to know as much as possible about each and every ingredient listed in “said” product label so that you can fully comprehend what it is you’re about to eat or slather onto your body. You know what they say about not judging a book by its cover?? Forget it all! 

When it comes to products in the cosmetic arena, the ingredient label is the symbolic cover of your book. Reading the label is going to give you insight, but researching ingredients individually will expose the truth about the quality of any product. This list of ingredients will determine whether or not you want anything to do with a certain product. It could be a food, cosmetic, toiletry, the list goes on and on…and so should your knowledge about the quality of any product you’re about to put in or on your body if you truly want to maintain your good health. 

Personally, I found a very unfortunate pattern begin to develop every time I read a processed product’s label…it was the pattern of disappointment. 

Without fail, I would be extremely disappointed with the poor quality of whichever product was in my hands at the moment. Lotion still remains the one product I was absolutely unsuccessful at finding. I did the “organic products only” for a while, hoping that this would be the solution I was seeking, but I’m sorry to say that things got even worse for me and my seizures. 

I was faced with a huge increase in seizure activity and it is because of the ingredients used in a large majority of the organic lotion products available on today’s market. It turns out that organic companies often use soy as the vegetable source for the Vitamin E or Tocopherol ingredients listed in their product. Soy isn’t used every single time, but your odds of soy being a derivative for an ingredient grow substantially when it comes to organic companies.

First, let’s clarify something about soy…it is NOT healthy for the human body. Contrary to popular belief, soy and soy-related ingredients such as soy lecithin will actually wreak havoc on the human body, especially where hormones are concerned. 

Second, soy is a common seizure trigger for most epileptics, myself included. So when I began using a lotion product that said it only contained Vitamin E or Tocopherol, I was too naive at the time to realize that you have to further research certain ingredients in a label to know for certain that it is actually safe for someone with seizures. In this case, I needed to contact the company to double-check exactly what their source was for the “Tocopherol” listed on their product’s ingredient label. 

While I originally assumed I would have fewer seizures once I began using the organic products, I was sorely disappointed with my actual result of increased seizure activity. I now avoid organic lotion products like the plague because their ingredients just cannot be trusted. I returned to using a generic lotion brand who’s ingredient label was absolutely atrocious, but shockingly did not trigger any extra seizures. I had to pick and choose my battles at this point…do I use an organic product that, on paper, should be healthier for me, but causing my seizure activity to increase or do I use a generic product that contains very poor quality ingredients, but does not cause an increase in my seizures after application?

It is quite a dilemma, but ultimately it is always going to be a Catch 22 type of situation no matter which product I choose. I may win when I do not have any seizures triggered by a product, but I’m losing in the long run when I expose my body to toxic ingredients.

I live in a desert region of Southern California so lotion is definitely a necessity around my house. The thing is, I just couldn’t justify applying carcinogenic ingredients onto the surface of my skin on a daily basis. Nor could I find a product with a clean ingredient label…

So what’s a girl to do??? How do I make this situation a win-win scenario?

I tried doing alternative moisturizers such as coconut oil, but it was just way too greasy for me. I like the healthier aspect, but the coconut oil was inconvenient in the mornings when I would apply it, then basically have to towel most of it off my skin because I wouldn’t be able to get dressed without getting grease all over my clothes. 

Finally, I found a lotion recipe from Wellness Mama and it is fabulous!

The recipe below is completely adapted from her recipe, I simply doubled the ingredients and added vanilla essential oil for the scent. Feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your preferences, swap out the vanilla essence with any other flavor(s). 

Here’s the thing about this lotion: it is nourishing, it absorbs quickly, and it smells great!  

Unlike the straight coconut oil, my skin actually absorbs this lotion and it leaves a sweet smell that lasts all day long. Instead of a greasy texture that only makes me long for a dry washcloth to wipe away the excess coconut oil, I am left with smooth skin. If you’re like me and you prefer soft, nourished skin you might want to give this recipe a try.

The lotion can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months. I prefer to store mine in a mason jar. Avoid a pump whenever possible, this lotion is best when scooped out of the jar with a spoon due to its thickness. 

This recipe usually lasts me about 2 months. A little goes a long way! It is very nourishing (I know I keep saying that, but it is!) so you only need a tiny bit to satisfy your dry skin! As was mentioned on Wellness Mama, “This lotion works great for diaper rash on a baby, eczema, and for preventing stretch marks.” 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! It is a must-have in my house AND it’s healthy! I can also confirm that it has never caused any increased seizure activity. I always count this as a huge win!

 

 

Sources:

Wellness Mama: https://wellnessmama.com/3765/homemade-lotion-recipe/

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Maple Holistics Almond Oil Product Review

The leaves on the trees are beginning to fall, most shopping malls are completely decked out in Christmas décor, and the temperatures are beginning to drop (even here in California!)…It’s official, the holiday season is here and most companies are taking advantage of this fact! The cosmetic industry, in particular, has added those typical holiday symbols to the majority of their product packaging and marketing strategies. Don’t believe me? Walk into an Ulta Cosmetics Store or a Sephora right now and I guarantee your mind will be changed.

Lotions are a popular “holiday” item each year and the Winter 2017 season is no exception. Pumpkin, Candy Cane, and Gingerbread are just a few of the many seasonal flavors available right now. Don’t get me wrong, they all smell delicious and their packaging is even cuter…I’m practically sold every time I see something with a smiling gingerbread man on the label, they’re always so cute, how do you resist? For me, all irresistible qualities disappear once I flip the bottle around and take a look at the ingredient label. The typical ingredients used by large and small companies alike are enough to steal the holiday spirit right out of you!

The fact of the matter is you’re doing more harm than you are good to your body when you apply synthetic ingredients like these to your skin. One way or another, they will be absorbed through your pores and into your bloodstream. My advice? Despite the cute packaging and holiday scents, just say “No”! If you’re in the mood to spread some holiday cheer just leave your skin alone and focus instead on your friends and family. Most communities could use some holiday cheer anyway, here’s your chance to give the kindness of your Christmas Spirit where it is truly needed! Or, if you would prefer to stay indoors where it’s warm, get those oven mitts out and make some gingerbread cookies!

Skip these synthetic holiday flavors altogether and choose instead a product that is natural and contains only ONE ingredient…Maple Holistics Almond Oil. I know, this isn’t necessarily a “lotion” type of product, but it is one of the best moisturizers I have come across in a very long time! Some people are opposed to using oils as moisturizers because of their texture and/or consistency. Trust me, I completely understand this viewpoint! There was once a time when I held this exact same opinion. Body oils were always too “oily” for me (go figure!). I felt like I couldn’t even move until the product was completely absorbed because I didn’t want to risk getting any oil on my furniture, clothing, or anywhere else. I experienced this issue when I first began using Coconut Oil, but what I soon came to realize was that the product was never too oily, I was just using too much!

I guess I was used to conventional lotion where a big dollop is always required for proper moisturizing treatment. So, to prevent you from making my same mistakes, be sure to always begin with a teeny tiny amount of oil and add more only when necessary.

Maple Holistics Almond Oil is rich in vitamins and nutrients the human body desperately needs for proper daily and long-term function. “Almond Oil is absorbed into the skin more quickly than other moisturizers, providing softness that lasts for a longer period of time without leaving a greasy feeling behind” (MapleHolistics.com).

Although you can use this oil as a hair mask for healthier hair or as a natural massage oil, I prefer using it as a lotion substitute. I’m absolutely fed up with reading the ingredient labels of commercial lotion products and seeing names like Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Fragrance, and Xanthan Gum (all of which are synthetic and a few which happen to be petroleum derivatives).

Okay, let’s talk about the almond scent. Typically, whenever I’ve come across “almond” flavored products in the past they have always smelled exactly the same as cherry to me.

Typically, whenever I’ve come across “almond” flavored products in the past their scent has always strongly resembled that of a synthetic cherry flavor to me.

Although I love the actual fruit, I despise cherry flavoring because it always reminds me of cherry cough syrup (gag!). But, as I began pouring the Maple Holistics Almond Oil into my hand, do you know what I smelled??? Nothing. Not a single hint of cherry. The scent was, by far, the subtlest I have come across yet.

In fact, if the label hadn’t been on the bottle, I would never have known that it was almond oil. Nowadays, it seems like the majority of companies are overflowing their products with synthetic flavorings and fragrances, probably in an attempt to cover up the scent of the other terrible ingredients corrupting its overall quality. Discovering this uncommonly subtle scent was incredibly refreshing and it is probably one of my favorite characteristics of the entire product!

Texture is another remarkable part of what makes this product so incredible and easy to use. By using a small amount, you get the perfect cure for dry skin. The vitamins in the actual oil provide a healing source that will benefit your body inside and out. If you spread Maple Holistics Almond Oil across your skin, you’re actually going to want your pores to absorb this product into your bloodstream.

The best part is that once the oil is absorbed, that “moisturized” feeling lasts all day. It’s good quality and it’s long lasting! I understand that an oil as a moisturizer isn’t for everyone, but if you’re willing to try it out, I highly recommend Maple Holistics Almond Oil!

The ingredient label should be enough to persuade you so here it is: 100% Pure Almond Oil. Yep, that’s it! Only one ingredient. This healthy and natural ingredient was enough to inspire me to try this product. I’m so glad I did because ingredient labels like Maple Holistics’ are rare and the superb quality of this product even more so! As always, this is not an advertisement nor am I receiving any kind of kickback for writing this post! I am simply sharing with my readers the truth about a really fantastic product that I have come to love by using this product and experiencing all of its benefits firsthand. It would unfair to you, my readers, if I chose not to share this incredible product. As more and more ingredients become synthetically derived, you really can’t take for granted those companies who choose to maintain the good quality of their product. Maple Holistics is one of those companies! If you’re at all interested, check out their Product Sample Program for a little taste of the great variety of products they have to offer!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.