I have always been curious about Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) because they use mixture of herbs to help the body and the skin function correctly. So, I was so excited when to take a class Sandra Lanshin Chiu about TCM at the WELL Summit last October in Brooklyn, NY. Sandra is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, Skin Specialist, Treatment by Lanshin

Chinese Medicine in a very short nutshell -

Chinese medicine is about finding ways to live your life in a better way.

In TCM:

• Herbs are primarily in this type of medicine.
• It takes 4-6 months when using TCM for your skin to recover. TCM doesn't not relieve the symptoms; its goal is to restore and reestablish regular functioning of the organ. TCM focuses on blood circulation.
• Puffy face might be due tension in the body. What we think is fat is sometimes just fluid stock. Try Facial Gua Sha at home watch the video here!

More about TCM -

TCM:
[ ] Amplify or restore your skin's natural function.
[ ] Once you are treated for acne - you should not have it back.
[ ] Eczema might come back, so it is in remission
[ ] Creating the internal root condition of your skin. It looks at the whole system to see if it functions well.
[ ] Chinese medicine read the skin
[ ] Blood heat Look at your blood systems and circulation including period
[ ] Toxic heat
[ ] Type of inflammation
[ ] Herbs and seeds are cooked

How to identify a good TCM practitioner? Ask them: Do you test your herbs for toxicity? Is your facility FDA approved?

TCM and Rejuvenation of the skin -

We tend to think that having a skin problem has always to do with gut issues, but it is not always the case. It could be from the digestive system.

In Chinese medicine, your skin is your other lung. So respiratory system  is important. TCM does internal [Internal Therapy] and external medicine at the same time.

TCM also uses facial acupuncture to relax the muscles so you skin can go back to function well; it resets your skin.

I learned so much about TCM during this class and it makes me even more curious about it. Did you tried TCM? What do think?

Looking for sales on green products? July 4th sales are over, but you can still save on some of your favorite clean beauty and wellness products. Here are some great deals on 20 clean beauty brands you will love! This post contains affiliate links.

The bonus in the box really touched my heart. 
This may Good Being box included a pair of socially responsible earrings from Starfish Project. 
I'm not sure what stones they were, but they looked to me like yellow quartz and they shimmer beautifully in the sun. 
I love that Starfish Project provides a portion of the proceeds to help exploited girls and women experience freedom, gain independence, and develop careers. 

Every step counts!! I have been working on reducing my plastic use; Over the years, I have been researching and learned a lot about plastic pollution impact on oceans; Sea turtles, birds and marine mammals are choking on the plastic we put out there. An article from Clear Water Action mentioned that "plastic waste affected at least 267 marine species, including 43 percent of marine mammal species and 86 percent of sea turtle species." plastic waste has been so damaging to the marine life. We got to do better and every little step count!

WooBamboo is a brand that is working hard to reduce plastic waste in landfills and in the oceans. So, I was so happy to discuss their mission with Ashleigh from their team and try their oral care products. WooBamboo is very transparent about their Eco-friendly claim and how their products help with plastic waste and you can read it all on their website by clicking here. Their packaging is made with renewable plant-based plastic that has soy-based ink & post-consumer waste.

This brand is Eco-friendly and their products work great!

Panda-Friendly Bamboo toothbrush
This toothbrush is so soft on my teeth. It massages my gum without been too harsh on them and make my teeth feel so clean. The toothbrush has a biodegradable brush handle that is made with organically-grown moso bamboo (the bamboo that pandas don't eat). This means WooBamboo cares about how their products impact the original environment, making sure that pandas are not impacting by the bamboo they source. This bamboo brush is also naturally antimicrobial and doesn't destroy panda’s food. They also give you the option to customize your toothbrush. How fun is that! Their bristles are recyclable and made from Dupont Tynex nylon. They also have a kid-friendly option. The Sprouts are made for kids with super soft bristles and small handle for the little one’s hands.  They also have pet friendly oral care products.

One thing to note though is that they use PET plastic in their packaging, meaning that it can be recycled many times over. WooBamboo explains it is about "Sterility. It’s a toothbrush, so you’ll inevitably be putting it in your mouth. The safest way to guarantee these puppies are clean is to deliver them to you sealed in our plastic blister packs." It is clear to me that the company aims at reducing overall use of plastic waste, by appealing to all customers.
Does using plastic defy the purpose in their packaging? Of course, I would prefer having a 100% biodegradable toothbrush; If having plastic allows them to be sold at CVS and have a 1000 more customers use toothbrush that pollute less the environment, then, I am all for it. As I mentioned before every small step matters here! Yey for less toothbrush plastic handle in oceans. 

Biodegradable silk floss
I love the idea of the biodegradable silk floss. Flossing might not seem glam, but it is so important for our teeth's health. I love that they give us a cleaner natural option here. This is the first time I used a silk floss and it is working great. It goes in the smallest space between my teeth, removing every little bit of food left. It is also very strong, so it doesn't break easily like regular dental floss.
This biodegradable silk floss is made with natural, biodegradable silk that is coated with natural wax and packaged in renewable plant-based plastic post-consumer waste finely crafted in Italy. This is a perfect way to do our part in reducing the thousands of miles of plastic in oceans and landfills.
They could improve on the floss container though. I couldn't figure out how to put the floss in the blade area; it has been difficult to slip in the floss through the blade. So, I am keeping the floss in the packaging and cutting it by leaving a small floss thread right under the blade; it is has been working great. 

Yummy Fluoride- free Eco-friendly toothpaste
The toothpaste has this sweet vanilla taste and the mint flavor that is not overpowering and is very refreshing to use. This is not your regular toothpaste that will foam; they remove one of the biggest chemical offender - Triclosan - that is linked to cancer. Also, free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Artificial Sweeteners, Fluoride, Propylene Glycol, Diethanolamine (DEA), or microbeads, this toothpaste is made with bamboo and green tea extracts. It was quite pleasant to use.

Toothpaste Vanilla Mint INGREDIENTS:
Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Water, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Calcium Carbonate, Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Flavors, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Chlorophyllin Copper Complex (natural green color), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Laurel Glutamate, Potassium Sorbate

This is a great brand overall! They will release their mouthwash soon. If you want to shop for this brand and help reduce plastic waste, use code CLEANFRESHBEAUTY20 to save 20% off at check out.

Did you use WooBamboo? What do you think?
Are you trying to go plastic-free? What steps have you taking so far? I would love to know; I am trying to go plastic-free. Let me know.

Hey there, you probably received tons of emails about mother day gifts, giving you all these options about organic and natural beauty products. My email box is full of them. It can be overwhelming to sort through all of these emails. Also, how do you know if these products work?  
#9
Here my top 10 shopping list for natural and organic beauties for Mother's Day. I tried all these and reviewed them. 

#1: OSMIA ORGANICS | Natural Hydrating Body Oils| Relaxing For Stressful Days! 
 You mom will will be over the moon with body oil. It is a perfect gifts to relax from a stressful day. Made with 11 nourishing and moisturizing oils including organic jojoba oil, this body oil is perfect for dry skin. It leaves my skin so hydrated and leaves me feeling so relaxed after a long day.  Read more here - 

#2 - Maya Chai - The Super Blend - Best Natural Anti-Aging Facial Serum
Gift this skin loving and wrinkle buster facial serum to your mom. I can't say enough about the benefits of this super blend. It is great for any type of skin. I feel like I am having a spa treatment when I use it. From the golden color to the lovely scent, this serum has been an amazing addition to my skin care routine. Read more here - 

#3 -Jane Iredale - PlayOn Lip Crayon
This is a luscious, smooth, and creamy lip crayon that gives a sleek makeup look and you only need to apply one or two layers to rock a glamorous look. I usually don't add any lipstick on top of this lip crayon. It is highly pigmented; there are 7 bold shades; Plenty to find a match to wear for every occasion. Read more -

#4 -One Love Organics Vitamin E Super Moisturizing - Eye Balm
I love love love this eye balm; it is a super hydrating eye treatment for dark circles and dry under eyes.
I apply it over night and I wake up with plump, happy hydrated, and smooth under eyes. This is a thick eye balm that is concentrated; a small amount goes a long way. You just need to apply a small amount for great results. Read more here -

#5 - Modern Minerals lip glosses
These Modern Minerals lip glosses are some of my favorites: they have a wonderful uplifting scent, they are luscious, they apply nicely and smoothly, they deliver these bold colors, and they don't dry your lips. These are not your regular lip glosses; they are infused with Lotus Wei. Modern Minerals say that "They incorporate the emotive properties of gemstone and flower essences to uplift and awaken positivity." Read more -

#6 -Odacité  |Gt +L - Radiance Effect | Natural Youthful Glow Serum Concentrate
The Odacité Gt+L | Radiance Serum Concentrate | combines green Tea and lemongrass to nourish and revive combination and oily skin’s glow. Lemongrass has excellent astringent and toning properties. This serum does not feel oily. This natural facial serum helps with sebum control and helps reduce my pores size. I use this serum as an add-on serum to other skin care products and it works great.  Read more here -

#7 - Aspen Kay Naturals Soaps- 100% Organic Soaps to Gently Clean your Skin
The Aspen Kay Naturals' soaps will be a great addition to your shower routine if you skin have dry and sensitive skin during the winter months. They make their soaps the traditional way with organic oils, shea & coconut butter, and essential oils. And then, they incorporate back glycerin into their soaps. I highly recommend using their | Dead Sea Mud | soap; it is one of my favorites. It draws out and clears away impurities. Read more -

#8 -Kaia Naturals Facial Cleansing Wipes
I read so many positive reviews about these cleansing cloths; I needed to try them and make up my own mind. I was impressed by the packaging but skeptical about how effective these facial cleanser cloths were really. First, these facial clothes are smaller than I expected. I would say 3/4 of regular facial clothes, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good they worked. 💚They don't contain too much oil; just enough to clean your skin. Even though they are not makeup remover clothes, they also completely remove my makeup.

#9 - 100% Pure | Mattifying Primer| and |Super Fruits Healthy Foundation|
Both of this products are some of my favorites natural and vegan cosmetics; they are natural and contain antioxidants and vitamins. They are a great addition to your makeup bag if you are busy and on-the-go. The foundation provide great coverage; I only needed to apply one layer of the foundation this morning. The Mattifying prime also helps so much with my large pores. It makes my skin smooth before I apply the foundation.

#10 - Alima Pure |Natural Definition Mascara|
This mascara gives you flawless looking lashes. It stays on all day long. It goes on smooth and does not smudge or clump. The rubber-bristled wand is key here; I noticed that it separates my lashes easily. This mascara also has a great formula that includes Provitamin B5, Jojoba oil, and natural beeswax to nourish the lashes. My lashes looked healthier over time.

 If thinking about switching your antiperspirant can make you sweat a little bit. Thinking about switching to natural deodorants can seem so overwhelming. But, it does have too. You probably heard about the detox phase; don't let this put you off. Transitioning to natural deodorants can be done once you how to deal with the big B.O. For me, it was about finding the best natural deodorant that could kill bacteria and fight body odor and adding few tricks to make the detoxifying phase easier to handle. Here are few tips I learned along the way.

Tip #1: Timing is key! Use cotton tees! Transition to natural deodorants during spring or fall -
The temperatures are cooler and we tend to sweat less. We also tend to wear more breathable clothes. I notice that cotton fabrics are the best to wear during the detox phase. My favorites 100% cotton tees is from Hanes an organic alternative are the Econscious100% Organic Cotton Short Sleeve Tees; they are so breathable!!

Tip #2: Wax/Shave it all! If it is not already done!
 Don't keep any hair. Shave or wax it very other day! I found that having no hair helped so much. It helps to reduce sweating and makes it so much easier to clean your pits! There are many products on the market for waxing. My go-to natural wax is Moom Organic Hair Removal Kit. It is great on sensitive skin and is so easy to clean. All you need is to rinse off with water and it leaves no residue. I works so well; I don't have to go over twice. I also like that the wax comes with 18 washable, reusable fabric strips. I also used razors; It was less painful to shave every other day at first. I used the Preserve Shave 5. These are made with recycled materials and the razors are refillable.

Tip #3: How to tackle the B.O.? Wash Wash Wash!
This is about keeping your underarms clean. Washing you underarms three to five times throughout the day is essential here. I know you are probably thinking this is crazy.

If you are on-the-go and busy, my trick is to use deodorants wipes to keep those pits clean all day. I just love the EO deodorant wipes; they are perfect for on the go. They are practical; they came in individual packs. I will just have three wipes in my back for the day. Each wipe is large enough for both pits. These wipes kill any B.O.!

Body odor is actually due to toxins being released in the sweat. These toxins have been accumulating from years of using antiperspirants. We want your body to release toxins (read all about the sweat glands work here).  I used the Zabana Essentials armpit detox bar to wash away any sweat. This detoxifying soap bar was so useful.

Tip #4: Use a detoxifying mask for your armpits
Yep! It sounds weird, but it worked for me and I still do this to this today.  My B.O. was so bad at first. I researched and tested the bentonite clay armpit detox and it works great for me. It just keeps the stink at bay. Bentonite clay is your friend here! Bentonite clay is also referred healing clay and has been used throughout in other cultures for centuries. It works as well for our armpits. I even drink Yerba Prima Bentonite Detox to detoxify my body. Remember, toxins/impurities are released when we transition to natural deodorants. I noticed that anytime I used this detox armpit mask, the stink was gone for a whole day.  This might also speed up the detox phase during transition. Learn about armpit detox mask and how to do it!

Tip #5: Start now with the right natural deodorant!
Take advantage of these cool temperatures and start now with a great natural deodorants. Read all about my picks for natural deodorants .

So what are your tips for transitioning to natural deodorants? Has there every been a time when you stunk and you couldn’t figure out why? Share your experiences in the comments!

Natural deodorants can be tricky to add to a natural skin care regiment. It can take time to find the right natural deodorant, but don't gave up when transitioning to all-natural deodorants. Read about My 5 top tips on how to switch to natural deodorants.There are great chemical free natural options and the best time to transition to natural deodorants is fall, and spring. The temperatures are cool enough to not sweat too much; it is the perfect time to switch to natural deodorants. Do you know about the armpit detox mask? Learn about armpit detox mask and how to do it here!
Stay away from antiperspirants! One of the functions of the sweat glands is to release toxins our body creates in stressful situations, according to Mayo Clinic. The fluid is released during emotional stress time in our armpits' hair follicles, and is actually odorless. The odor under the armpits comes from bacteria breaking down the fluid that was released. Antiperspirants stop this process. According to WebMD, aluminium-based compound antiperspirants clog the sweat conduits. But, there are many natural deodorants that  do not clog the sweat conduits; they work great, smell great, and we have several options. Here are my favorites:

This deodorant is extra strong; it gives me all day protection. I used the lavender Green Tidings Lavender natural deodorant to fight body odor during my transition phase. It is an aluminium-free natural deodorants that works even in 90s to 100s temperatures to keep your body odor at bay. If you are on the go and do not have time to re-apply your deodorant, this is a perfect option; I love the 1oz size to carry in my purse. I only apply it in the morning and I am good for the day. I had a great experience with this natural aluminium-free deodorant.  They have unscented version. It retails from $8 to $15.
Ingredients: Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter (Unrefined, Fair Trade), Magnesium Oil, Manuhot Esculenta (Tapioca) Starch, Aluminum-Free Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate), Wildcrafted Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera). 100% pure lavender essential oil added in lavender scent version ONLY.

This is a baking-soda free natural deodorant. Several natural deodorants contains baking soda and that can be an irritant if you have sensitive skin. This Meow Meow tweet is a cream deodorant is great for sensitive skin. It is a paste deodorant. Paste deodorants are a bit different, so it takes a little to get used to them. To use:  just take a small amount of the paste on clean dry fingers and apply under the armpits. This paste deodorant still works  great even after a long day, but you need to reapply this deodorant during the day. They also have a deodorant stick now, but I find that it is a little to expensive. The 2.4 oz cream deodorant retails for $18 and the the 1.8 oz stick deodorant also retails for $18.
Ingredients: *arrowroot powder, *shea butter, magnesium hydroxide, *virgin coconut oil, *jojoba oil, *grapefruit, *bergamot, *lemon and *sweet orange essential oils. *organic ingredient

This is another great option for sensitive skin. it is baking soda free, cruelty-free, and vegan option. This is a very clean deodorant; some ingredients are sourced from organic and/or local suppliers and other are made from scratch. The Bare Bones deodorant is also unscented; that is so great is you are sensitive to scent. If you have rashes when you using natural deodorants, this one will work great. I also love the price; the 2oz retails for $8. This deodorant can stain your clothes; It mainly use it when I wear sleeveless clothes. It creaminess and moisturizing effect actually makes this natural deodorant perfect for sensitive deodorant, but it leaves a light oily residue in your armpit. Another option could be the Kaia Natural deodorant; it is a very clean deodorant.

The peppermint and eucalyptus scent of the Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant is just so uplifting and makes me feel so great when I use it. kaolin clay absorbs the sweat and moisture very well during the day. It is all natural and it has that cooling effect that is so refreshing. Swipe and Swipe under your armpits to feel fresh with no irritation. It also last a long time. I would not advice using it if you are in the transition phase to natural deodorants; I noticed that it does not keep body odor away for a very long time. I suggest using the Green Tidings All Natural Deodorant to deal with body odor.
Ingredients: Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) leaf juice*, propanediol, sodium Stearate, tapioca Starch, silica, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gum, shea (butyrosperum parkii) butter (community trade), sodium bicarbonate, kaolin (clay), tocopheryl acetate, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl undecylenate, glycerin, royal jelly extract, hops (humulus lupulus) extract, lemon (citrus medica limonum) peel extract, ginseng (panax quinquefolium) root extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, matricaria (chamomilla recutita) flower extract, saccharomyces ferment, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) leaf oil, peppermint (mentha piperita) oil, grapefruit (citrus grandis) peel oil, eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus) leaf oil. Ingredients with * denotes that they are organic.

No matter if you believe that these chemicals can seriously affect your overall health or not, there is one thing that you just need to accept. Back in 2009, the European Union (EU) decided to ban 1,328 chemicals from cosmetics. As you can imagine, this decision wasn't taken lightly and the proper authorities did several studies and researches to get to this ban. However, in 2018, in the US, the list of banned chemicals only sums up 30. So, what's going on here? After all, the US is a developed country and there's no way we can only be banning 30 chemicals from cosmetic products when the EU is banning more than 1,300 for almost a decade now.

One of the main reasons for this huge difference is how both regions look at chemicals and their effects. While on European Union, they tend to take the preventive approach, on the US we take the reactive approach.

This simply means that in the case of the EU any chemical shows the smallest evidence that is causing any harm, it will be banned. On the other hand, in the US, we need to see a lot of evidence of the damage before the regulation appears.

Just take a look at talc, for example. Ten years ago, talc was used in EU in many different cosmetic products and even on babies. After all, with great moisture absorption features and a soft texture, a lot of people used it. However, it has been discovered that talc could contain asbestos, which is a dangerous substance that can be related to serious lung problems. So, the EU acted immediately and included talc in their chemicals bans list. However, when we look at the US, you can still see a lot of cosmetic products using talc even if Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay” $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, whose death by ovarian cancer was linked to her daily use of talcum-based Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products.”  If you are not sure that your products are safe? Ask your skin care and makeup brand to confirm that they use asbestos-free talc.

This happens for one reason only: FDA can't find strong evidence that the use of talc can be harmful. However, and what is very strange in the middle of all this, is that they can't also guarantee that talc will be free of asbestos either. So, what are natural alternatives to talc? Arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, rice powder, and oat flour are all safe alternatives that have some of the same properties as talc. They absorb moisture very well, applies nicely on the skin, and absorb oils to help with shiny skin. Rice powder is my favorite alternative; 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Powder Foundation and Blushes and their Bamboo Blur Powder are made with rice powder and I found that they are the beat at keeping the shine at bay.  

Talc is just one of the most evident examples. However, the truth is that you can find a lot of dangerous chemicals on the most diverse cosmetic products (and some will even state they are organic). If you are looking for alternatives to your regular cosmetics, I share with you several safe natural skin care and cosmetics that are great alternatives to regular commercial products.

While we may all blame FDA for not protecting our health and for not banning these chemicals like the EU is doing, the reality is that the FDA doesn't have a lot of power in these questions, especially about what concerns to cosmetics. Cosmetics regulations haven’t been updated since 1938 and this is clearly not FDA fault but Congress fault.
 
So, beauty companies can keep getting their skin care products approved like organic even if they are full of chemicals. And until we don't update the legislation and deliver more power to the FDA, we really need to be careful about what we put on our skin. In my post 5 Tips for Transitioning to Organic or Natural Skin Care, I share with you few ideas on how to switch to a safer skin care beauty routine.

We don’t have to use cosmetics that contain potentially dangerous chemicals; there are plenty of natural and organic cosmetic brands that make amazing products.