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SHINE BRIGHTER. Our goal is to live better and be better.

Tag Archives: skin care


Restorative Skin Care Tips to SHINE this Spring (Original G·E·M·S Life)

Posted on March 12, 2021 by The GEM and currently has 1 Comment on Restorative Skin Care Tips to SHINE this Spring (Original G·E·M·S Life)

About a month ago, I was horrified to see my skin had turned into something I didn’t recognize as my own—I was clearly skipping one of my Original G·E·M·S Life daily SHINE practices—specifically, skin care.

START. COMMIT. KEEP GROWING. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!

My skin had started to look like an old snake skin bag from my grandmother’s closet. It was a surreal change that seemed to happen overnight. What was I doing wrong?! 

As panic set in, I took a closer look at my daily skin care regimen and realized that I had stopped doing several things that had obviously made an enormous impact on my skin. So I got back on the train and within 2 weeks, my skin had regained its radiant glow! 

The silver lining of this accidental experiment was it helped me find some really, really good remedies to make my skin look the BEST it can (I mean, when you’re 52 like me, there’s only so much that is possible). Here’s what I learned in the process.

SHINE with Original G·E·M·S Life Restorative Skin Care Practices

Those dry, wrinkly elbows may have gone unnoticed in winter, but they’re ready to see some sun. With spring break upon us, you deserve to feel confident showing some skin. Check out these easy ways to get your skin looking and feeling radiant with Original G·E·M·S Life SHINE practices.

6 Daily Skin Care Tips We Swear By!

  • Hydration, hydration, HYDRATION. Water. 32 ounces first thing, plus more throughout the day. Reduces bloating, curbs cravings, flushes toxins. This is a must for your best self. 
  • Take your FISH OIL. Muy importante. My favorite is Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas. Omega fatty acids promote skin healing, inhibits inflammation and enhances the moisture barrier keeping skin supple and hydrated. Order yours here.
  • Don’t skip FACIAL hydration! Odacite Youthful Glow Face Oil. This organic green oil is truly miraculous. I can’t get enough of it!!!
  • Work in COLLAGEN. As we age, our collagen production slows. We need collagen for skin elasticity, and it helps slow the ageing process. Add it to your coffee, or sip some of our collagen-rich Immunity Bone Broth as a snack. Have you ever tried our Elevated Coffee? It should be called a Face Lift Latte because of all the skin loving goodness in it!
  • MOISTURIZE daily. Shea Moisture Daily Hydration is the VERY BEST BODY MOISTURIZER there is. It has no offensive smell, no sticky residue. It’s the bomb! And cheap, too!
  • MORE internal hydration: Drink a daily green juice. Whether made at home or a Green Glow from The GEM, juicing daily provides your body with essential antioxidants (read: anti-ageing) and nutrients that promote a healthy skin glow.

Most of these are treating the problem from the inside out, which is really where good skin and vibrant health starts anyway! These tips are incredibly easy to incorporate, so if you want to see your skin glow to its fullest light, start today! Your beach dress will thank you.

Don’t forget though—skin care is just ONE important practice of an Original G·E·M·S Life. To Shine Brighter in all areas of your life, commit daily to just one practice Original G·E·M·S Life category, Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine, and watch the transformation begin!

Share Your Own #OriginalGEMSLife!

Let us know what practices you love, and share your ideas for other practices on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook! 


Not All Skin Care Products Are GEM~my

Posted on July 21, 2014 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on Not All Skin Care Products Are GEM~my

Whether fancy and expensive or common and cheap, skin care products are riddled with harmful thegemjuicebarimage2014chemicals and ingredients. In fact, some of the most toxic elements in a woman’s daily life are her personal care products, which contain ingredients linked to:

  • Cancer
  • Birth Defects
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Allergies
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Infertility
  • Hormone disruption

A veritable toxic shit storm of harm! Nothing is exempt. They  are in lotions, sunscreens, deodorant (yikes!), makeup, lipsticks, soaps, shampoos and nail polish.

Think that it doesn’t matter because it is just on your skin? A whopping 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Kids absorb EVEN more than that.

WTF. You think, “That can’t be. Our consumer products are safe. The FDA takes care of all of that.  They protect us from harmful ingredients in the products we put IN and ON our bodies.” UMMMM. Not.

YOU have to take control and protect yourself. You must make educated choices about the products you use. Your skin and longevity will thank you.

What to do first …

Educate yourself! Download the Environmental Working Group’s tools and resources and lessen your exposure to toxins. You don’t have to throw everything out and start from scratch, unless you are as crazy about it as we are. Start with your soaps, body lotions and shampoos. Work from there. Once you start understanding the dangers of these ingredients, the shift becomes MUCH easier!

Stay away from:

  1. Parabens. This widely used preservative is in everything: makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos, lubricants,and facial cleansers. Parabens mimic estrogen in ways associated with increased risk of breast cancer. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and have actually been found in biopsy samples from breast tumors. Look for “Paraben-free” products.
  2. Artificial colors. Yes, the same stuff that makes your Skittles bright like rainbows. Made from petroleum, synthetic colors are skin irritants and linked to ADHD in children. (Insert my uncontrollable anger here.) The Europeans consider artificial colors a human carcinogen and actually banned them. What?? We use stuff (smarter) countries don’t allow because it’s dangerous? Don’t forget this is what is in your packaged food and candies. MAKES ME FURIOUS.
  3. Fragrance. One of my least favorite things. Due to a law created to protect a company’s “secret formula,” the contents of fragrance don’t have to be disclosed. It may contain chemicals that cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and possibly effects on the reproductive system. It’s found in really anything with a scent! Just stay clean and let your inner scent shine through. You are MUCH more appealing than “spring meadow rain” anyway!
  4. Triclosan.  It’s supposed to be an antibacterial agent, but it’s also a known endocrine disruptor — especially thyroid and reproductive hormones — and a skin irritant. Tricolson can be found in toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants. Tom’s toothpastes are a great alternative to that nasty conventional stuff.
  5. Sodium lauryl sulfate/Sodium laureth sulfate. This surfactant can be found in almost all personal care and cleaning products—anything that foams. SLS’s are known to be skin, lung and eye irritants. It combines with other chemicals to form a kind of carcinogen, leading to issues like kidney and respiratory damage. They can be found in shampoo, body wash, cleansers, mascara and acne treatment.
  6. Phthalates. I can’t even pronounce it, but they are a group of chemicals used in things like nail polish, perfumes, deodorants, lotions and hair spray. Yikes! See ya, Aqua Net. Known to be endocrine disruptors, they have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls and reproductive birth defects in males and females. Unfortunately, it is not often disclosed since it is added into that “secret formula” called fragrance. Yeah … the Secret deodorant should hit the trash. Sorry.
  7. Formaldehyde. Helps prevent bacteria growth. This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen and has been linked to nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers. It is known to cause allergic skin reactions and may be harmful to the immune system. It can be found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows and nail polish treatments. It is also used to embalm cadavers. Just sayin’!
  8. Toluene. Derived from petroleum, this nasty devil can affect your respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate your skin. Expecting mothers should avoid exposure to toluene vapors as it may cause developmental damage in the fetus. Toluene has also been linked to immune system toxicity. It can be found in nail polish, nail treatments and hair color/bleaching products.
  9. Sunscreen chemicals. This is bad sh*t. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and are easily absorbed into the body. They can cause cellular damage and cancer in the body. Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate. Find all-natural sunscreens (you will pay high dollar, but you and your kids are worth it!)

The average person slathers on around 125 chemical ingredients found in personal care products every day. YEESH.

Which products will you eliminate first? Download this groovy shopping guide for quick reference for things to avoid.

Once you’ve tossed the Jergens for jojoba, test some of The GEM girls’ favorite lines:

  • Odacite (skin care)
  • Tarte (makeup)
  • Hourglass (makeup)
  • Derma E (skin care)
  • Tom’s (toothpaste)

Easier still, shop at places that have edited the products for you – conscious companies who are trying to make a difference with quality skin care that is helpful, not harmful!

If you have a favorite, fabulous and SAFE product, please share it with us! We are always looking for the good stuff!