Dr. Sandy Skotnicki is a leading expert and one of a handful of dermatologists in Canada with a subspecialty in allergic contact dermatitis and patch testing. We discuss allergens vs irritants, natural vs synthetic, the rise of sensitive skin issues, ingredient transparency, and the regulatory challenges within the beauty industry, particularly concerning fragrance. highlighting the need for better consumer education and safer product formulations. You'll walk away with valuable knowledge and practical skin hygiene tips for both yourself and your children. This is a must listen if you are experiencing skin issues or want to avoid them in the future!

Follow Sandy on Instagram @drsandyskotnicki and check out her bestselling book "Beyond Soap." (Amazon affiliate link).

Takeaways

• Avoiding toxins and allergenic ingredients in everyday products is important for overall health and well-being.
• There is a difference between irritants and allergens, and understanding this distinction can help in identifying and avoiding potential skin reactions.
• Fragrances, both natural and synthetic, can be a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
• Finding skincare products that work for sensitive skin can be challenging, and it often requires trial and error.
• The beauty industry needs more research, regulation, and education to ensure the safety and efficacy of products. Simplify your skincare routine and eliminate potential irritants to identify triggers for skin reactions.
• Reintroduce products one at a time to pinpoint the cause of skin problems.
• Skincare for young children should involve minimal washing and exposure to some dirt.
• Excessive cleanliness can disrupt the immune system and the skin's natural balance.
• Fragrance and essential oils are common culprits for skin reactions and should be approached with caution.
• Regulations in the skincare industry need to prioritize transparency and provide options for fragrance-free products.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Everyday Product Usage

07:32 Understanding Ingredients and Allergies

21:23 Hair Care and Eyelid Rash

25:37 Challenges and Scams in the Beauty Industry

29:05 Product Elimination and Finding Solutions

29:59 Simplifying Skincare and Identifying Triggers

31:20 Balancing General Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology

34:02 Skincare Tips for Young Children

35:36 Understanding the Difference Between Cleanliness and Hygiene

38:01 The Impact of Excessive Cleanliness on the Immune System

41:30 The Relationship Between the Immune System and the Skin Microbiome

43:40 The Problems with Fragrance and Essential Oils in Skincare

56:12 The Need for Transparency and Options in Skincare Regulations

After a life changing parasite cleanse during COVID, Brianna did a complete health overhaul including switching out every last toxic beauty product. I've followed Brianna since she started as a clean beauty influencer, and she graces her community always with authenticity and kindness. Brianna shares her experience, including her health struggles and the transformative impact of adopting a clean lifestyle. The discussion covers the challenges of building an authentic influencer brand, navigating partnerships, and how having the trust of her community is of utmost importance her. Don't miss the end where Brianna spills her favorite clean beauty products and her amazing makeup application tips as a makeup artist!

Follow Brianna @blessholisticlife on Instagram.

Takeaways

• Brianna's journey into clean beauty began during the COVID lockdown.
• She experienced significant health improvements after a parasite cleanse.
• Building an authentic influencer brand requires maintaining trust with followers.
• Navigating brand partnerships can be challenging for clean beauty influencers.
• Community engagement is vital for spreading awareness about clean beauty.
• Brianna judges the Clean Sert Awards, providing feedback to brands.
• She emphasizes the importance of ingredient awareness in beauty products.
• Brianna shares her favorite clean beauty products and their benefits.
• Transitioning to clean beauty can be done gradually by replacing products as they run out.
• Brianna encourages others to share their clean beauty journeys on social media.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Clean Beauty

06:14 The Impact of Clean Products

12:46 Building an Authentic Influencer Brand

20:03 Navigating Brand Partnerships

28:31 Engaging with the Clean Beauty Community

36:07 Judging Clean Beauty Awards

40:42 Favorite Clean Beauty Products

53:36 Tips for Transitioning to Clean Beauty

When several of my favorite clean product brands said how high the standards were to become Made Safe Certified, I knew I had to speak with the founder. Amy shares what prompted her to take a deeper look into product ingredients, and what led her to start Made Safe. We chat about what exactly makes our everyday products toxic, and how Made Safe is making a difference. Amy and I share similar values when it comes to the importance of nontoxic products, and you'll find this conversation eye-opening.

To learn more about Made Safe and browse certified products, tap here.

"It's joyful, and it's true, and it's quite beautiful to follow your heart and your instincts and change, and create the path that's just yours.” - Garance Dore

OG blogger and influencer Garance Dore understands beauty needs to be clean. She takes us through her career journey from photographer to founder offering a behind the scenes look (as well as her personal take on) "influencing", writing, podcasting, newsletters and how to be authentic without burdening your audience. At the urging of her long time business partner, Garance founded Dore Beauty, a simple french pharmacy take on clean beauty that is true to Garance's perspective. For her, making products free of toxins and harsh actives was a non-negotiable. Talking to Dore was intriguing and inspiring—you are going to love it.

Garance's substack

Dore Beauty, use promo code podcast10 for 10% off one item.

After suffering from psoriasis that was incurable by all conventional methods including elimination diets, Jen finally found relief in using tallow. She then began creating all natural products on her farm in Florida. In this episode, she shares what life is like on the farm, the intricate process of soap-making, as well as tips on how to care for you skin using time-tested ingredients including her beloved tallow and goat's milk. If you have skin concerns or are simply looking to switch to a more natural regimen, this is a must listen.

Save 15% sitewide on Pretty Farm Girl products with code SWITCHNATURAL.

Recommended reading: "The GAPS Diet"

Follow on Instagram @pretty_farmgirl

Aida's journey into researching the effects of toxic chemicals on health started during her first pregnancy. She realized how overwhelming it was to find products that would not expose her family to toxins. Aida founded 3 Little Plums to educate parents about the hazards of daily exposure to toxic chemicals. In this episode, Aida shares her personal journey and offers practical tips for families such as choosing safe nursery items and low-tox home renovations. You don’t want to miss it.

Visit Aida's website, www.3littleplums.com and follow her on Instagram @3littleplums.

After Tamara's children were acutely lead poisoned in 2005, she made it her life's work to educate about lead poisoning and consumer goods safety specifically through a scientific approach. Tamara not only details how and why lead poisoning occurs, but gives us actionable steps to take. You do not want to miss this incredibly important episode.

Tamara is internationally recognized and has personally helped more than 10,000 families create safer homes and environments for their children. She continues to help families through consultations in addition to her extensive educational material through Lead Safe Mama.

To learn more about lead-poisoning prevention and read Tamara's extensive test on everyday products including suggested lead-free products, visit ⁠www.leadsafemama.com.⁠

⁠Watch ⁠Tamara’s documentary, MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic

Master makeup artist and founder of RMS Beauty, Rose-Marie Swift details how it all began. She shares not only her beauty expertise but also her wisdom in wellness as a whole. She is as magnetic as she is talented, and I loved talking to her. This conversation was a blast! Walk away with a new appreciation of what makeup should be and takeaway practical makeup application tips that make all of the difference. Enjoy!