Health, Lifestyle, My Life

The skincare regimen I use for PCOS

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Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking the associated link, I will earn a small commission off of that purchase.

Acne is something I have struggled since I hit puberty. I was always told it was something that would go away with adulthood, but thanks to a PCOS diagnosis, the acne seems to be here to stay.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common women’s hormonal disorder characterized by the Mayo Clinic as “infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male (androgen) levels.” According to Healthline, common symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, heavy bleeding, hair growth, acne, weight gain, male-pattern baldness, darkening of the skin, and headaches. 

One of the most visible symptoms of PCOS is acne. Because of the excess androgen levels, women with PCOS tend to have more trouble with skin health. Personally, I have tried multiple over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments, and none of them ever worked for me. The reason for this is because the only way to really solve the acne problem is to correct the hormone levels, which is easier said than done. After trying numerous birth control medications, I decided to do a little research to find a skincare regimen that would help me to at least manage my acne so breakouts became less severe. 

As stated above, the skincare regimen below has not solved the problem, but when I follow it, breakouts occur less frequently. My skin looks the most beautiful it has in years. The best part about this regimen is it has erased many of the scars I had on my face from years of struggling with acne. For the first time in nearly a decade, I feel comfortable walking into public without having makeup on my face. I cannot even express how freeing that is.

If you struggle with PCOS, or if you are just looking for a more natural acne treatment regimen, I hope you find these products helpful. Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions regarding the products I have suggested, or if you have found a regimen that works for you! The more we share about PCOS and how we have found ways to cope with the symptoms, the more we empower the women around us to take charge of their health and to feel beautiful.

1. Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser

This charcoal cleanser is the first step in my face cleansing regimen. It detoxifies my skin and gets rid of all the dirt in my pores. In addition to my nightly routine, I often use this cleanser after my morning workout because my face instantly brightens after using it. I also love how the cleanser heats up as I use it – every time I wash my face with this product, it feels like an expensive spa treatment. 

2. HydroPeptide Purifying Cleanser

After detoxifying my face, I use the HydroPeptide Purifying Anti-Wrinkle and Clarifying Cleanser to achieve a deep clean. This cleanser also helps get rid of those pesky acne scars. 

3. Thayers Facial Toner

For a toner, I use Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera Formula Toner. It’s an alcohol-free, gentle toner made with natural ingredients. While I am cleaning my face, I like to know that I am not putting a lot of chemicals into my pores. This product also helps bring a little more moisture into my skin.

4. Tree of Life Retinol Serum

To really work at those scars and to heal my damaged skin, I use this retinol serum. It is made with natural ingredients and has been designed to be used by all skin types. I can honestly say this product has been a life-changer for me – it is the reason I finally feel confident in my skin.

5. Differin Gel

This is one of those over-the-counter acne treatments that is made to get the job done. Differin Gel is a little harsh, so I don’t recommend putting it everywhere on your face; instead, rub a small amount into your skin solely where you are currently having a breakout. This gel often makes my breakouts disappear by the following morning. 

6. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

A lot of these products, including the charcoal cleanser, retinol serum, and Differin gel, can cause dry skin. As someone who already struggles with skin dryness, I knew lotion had to be a part of my regimen. I use Neutrogena’s oil-free moisturizer because it doesn’t clog my pores and it’s fragrance free. I strongly recommend finishing this facial regimen with lotion even if you aren’t prone to dry skin – even going a day or two without this step can cause my entire face to become red and irritated. But when I do use the lotion, my skin has never looked healthier. 

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Evolve, Health

5 supplements your body needs

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Supplements have been growing more popular in the health and fitness industry. The trouble is, there are so many out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you.

It’s always best to get the majority of your nutrients from real food, but sometimes food alone can’t provide enough of these essential vitamins and minerals. This is where supplements come in. Supplements can help provide nutrients that you may be lacking in your diet, either because you are choosing not to eat the food source, or because you aren’t able to eat enough of it.

Keep reading to learn more about the supplements that can benefit the average person’s health. Remember, always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Fish Oil

The American diet is heavy in saturated fats. While these fats aren’t necessarily unhealthy, the human body performs better when there is a balance of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in the diet. 

Fish oil supplements provide your needed daily value of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, so your body can work at its best. Additionally, fish oil supplements have been shown to support eye, heart and skin health, and they can help reduce inflammation in the body.

For best absorption, take your fish oil supplement with dinner or before bed.

Greens

It’s always best to consume your vegetables from whole food sources. However, there are occasions, either because of holidays, travel, or just unexpected changes in our dinner plans, when we don’t get in all of our servings of vegetables for the day.

Greens supplements are for these occasional days when you don’t get in enough veggies, so you can stay on track with your nutrition goals and your body can still work at its best. 

Protein

Protein supplements are a lot like greens supplements – they are for those days when you don’t get enough of the macronutrient from food sources. On those days when your diet is off, either because of holidays or because you just haven’t made it to the grocery store for the week yet, or if you are an athlete who struggles to get enough protein into your diet, protein supplements are a great solution. Protein powder is an easy way to drink the nutrients you need so you can stay on track with your nutrition goals and keep your body performing at its best.

Multivitamn

It’s nearly impossible to have a perfect diet – to get in all the daily values of micronutrients we need would take way too much time and focus. Taking a daily multivitamin helps protect you from a multitude of nutrient deficiencies that are more commonly found in people who choose not to take this daily supplement.

Vitamin D

We all know spending time in the sun is important for our health. But with office jobs, stay-at-home orders, and sunscreen, it can be difficult to get enough sunshine in our lives. Vitamin D supplements can help. These supplements help strengthen our immune system and promote healthy bones and teeth, especially for children and older adults.

Not all supplements are created equal. Because of different laws and regulations, or lack thereof, in different countries, some companies are selling supplements that are not as high of quality and/or do not deliver the benefits they promise. For this reason, I recommend always doing your research about the company you purchase from, or, let me do the work for you. I work with Nature’s Sunshine, a reputable company that has been making quality supplements for over 50 years. If you are interested in purchasing a supplement, use this link to get 25% off your order!

Supplementation is a holistic way to take charge of your health. These five supplements listed above are ones the average person can benefit from using. However, if you are interested in learning more about your specific health and supplement needs, consider scheduling an appointment for a ZYTO scan.

ZYTO scans help us to look at an overall picture of your health. Based on that information, I am able to recommend supplements that will best help bring your body back into balance. It’s a more personalized and in-depth approach to holistic health that can help you feel and perform at your best.

If you are interested in scheduling a ZYTO scan, you can learn more & sign up for a FREE consultation here.

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