So I recently wrote this interview for iVillage, and I thought it was totally relevant to share with you guys what is on my mind at this exact moment! Here goes…
iVillage: Why is natural skincare important in terms of health and putting less toxins on the body?
Kimberly: 70% of what you put on your skin, the largest organ, is absorbed into your bloodstream and into your liver. Toxins in cosmetics and skincare products can lead to problems with the endocrine system (especially the thyroid), the reproductive organs and the brain.
When you consider that products sit on the skin 24 hours a day, constantly being absorbed, you realize how significant this is! Think about it…that is why more and more medications are administered through the skin, such as the nicotine patch.”
iVillage: Since you are a raw foodist, do you recommend using raw product? As in cold-pressed oils?
Kimberly: It’s great to be natural, but…we still want to see results. As a raw foodist myself, I am familiar with the benefits of ingesting raw olive oil, coconut oil, etc. as well as raw aloe. However, as far as facial skincare products go, I would NEVER be so literal as to only use raw ingredients!! If you want to see results, it is essential to include the potent scientific ingredients. There is no such thing as “raw” DMAE or “raw” Alpha Lipoic Acid or “raw” dipeptides, etc., which are powerful lab ingredients.
Please be sure to check the ingredient list for any skincare claiming to be “raw”- it will be made primarily of aloe as its main ingredient, and some other botanicals. I’m all about natural and chemical-free…but remember that if you want your skin to glow, be youthful and smooth, you need to use a whole lot more than aloe!
iVillage: Can you ever make a product 100% natural – why or why not (the need for preservatives, especially)?
Kimberly: Well you do need to have preservatives in products, as well as anti-microbials. It is important to read the safety profile for each such ingredient and determine which one is best. Parabens, which mimic the endocrine system and are carcinogenic, are not necessary. It’s really scary when certain products have parabens listed high up in the ingredient list! However, an anti-microbial called phenoxyethanol has a good safety profile comparatively, and is considered safe in very tiny quantities. Plus, it is illegal to sell products in certain countries, such as Japan, without this specific ingredient.
iVillage: Do many of the products that claim to be natural not live up to the fact?
Kimberly: Unfortunately, I think a lot of companies label themselves as “natural,” when in fact they are using different technicalities to use that term. For instance, some companies say they are paraben-free, but use grapeseed extract stabilized with parabens in the product, to get around the labeling! However, I am optimistic that more and more people are getting educated, and will be able to identify the truly beneficial companies out there.
This is the same with using products that you think are vegan or not created with animal cruelty. For example, “natural, organic” Hyaluronic Acid is usually derived from rooster feathers, and is not as stable as the lab form of HLA. Using the absolute most natural form of all ingredients whenever possible- for example, the active form of Vitamin A as Retinyl Palmitate, but without the potential side effects of Rentinoic Acid, and Phosphatidylcholine (PPC), in its natural form of lecithin is important.
iVillage: Can you ever be sure what’s going into your cosmetics? How?
Kimberly: Well you can check out the ingredient label first, and look out for mineral oils, which can sit on the skin’s surface, clogging it, hindering its respiration and oxidizing into free radicals. Other ingredients I avoid are sulfates, urea, glycol, ethyl-alcohols and parabens.
But for the reasons that I mentioned in Question #2, you really CAN NOT be sure what is in your products just from looking at the label. You really have to trust the brand, the formulators behind it, and the ethos of that particular brand and what they stand for.
iVillage: What should people be careful of when buying products from large established cosmetics lines?
Kimberly: Well… (LOL) this is a funny question for me because I worked at one of the largest beauty companies in the world and I know how good they are at getting around labels and identifications in order to cut costs.
So yes, I would always be careful. Large companies have a lot of infrastructure and people’s salaries to pay, so profits and the bottom line are the top of the priority list, NOT making sure you have as few toxins as possible going into your body.
When looking for organic makeup brands, always do your research!
Well I think I have spoken on that topic! :) I hope you guys have a great week.
xx Kimberly
GREAT interview Kim! I am still using The Solution and I am already seeing results! Can’t wait till that one month mark comes up…if the last couple of weeks are any indication, The Solution will be getting a rave review!!!
Yay Melanie, that is awesome!!!!
Keep in touch with me on how you are doing. How is massage school and your new fitness job so far?? :)
xx Kimberly
Hi Kim! Well there was a small hitch in my giddiyup! It turns out that the financial aid package I had expected to get was not set in stone. So, when I got my official financial aid award letter it was minus the grant I was told I was getting. I found out that since I already had a Bachelors degree that I was not eligible for the grant :-(. Unfortunately, that means that I was short a considerable amount and could not afford to go. But, I have not given up! I decided that I would just work and save up as much money as possible and hopefully I will be able to attend the class that starts in September! Work is going well…we are actually opening a brand new club here in Fort Worth, so this next week should be awesome because the grand opening is Friday. This whole week we (the staff) will be setting up the new gym (brand new equipment still in the plastic wrap!)Yay!
Still LOVING The Solution! And, thanks so much for asking! I will definitely be keeping in touch!
~Melanie~
HI Melanie, with your positive, amazing attitude, I know that everything will work out for you. :) It seems that you would be a great healer, and masseuse, and if you are called to do that, then there is a reason for that. :) Keep in touch!
xx Kimberly
Hi Kim! I’m absolutely loving your blog. I have a few questions. With The Solution, should I still follow the cleanser, toner, moisturizer (The Solution) routine? Also, I’m only 25…is The Solution still ok for me to use even though it has anti-aging properties?
And when will The Brightening Cleanser be coming out?! Kind of want to wait on my order so I can get both at once! Thanks!
this was a really informative post. now if you’d share what makeup products YOU use! :) that would be great hehe…
Hey Charlene!
I use mineral makeup – only powder and some concealer as needed. I never, ever wear foundation unless I’m doing a shoot or something like that, because I just think foundation blocks your skin’s respiration processes too much. I like loose powder as I find the pressed powder to look too cakey. Then I like just eye liner and mascara, and a lighter lipstick. I think there is nothing more beautiful than having great skin, so that is why I focus on that so much, and how I eat.
Please come visit me again soon!!
xx Kimberly
thanks Kim!
hi kim,
Ive also searched on ebay but no one offers it as well. know anyone who is willing to send it to Paris?? Thanks lots !! :)
Hey Jonathan,
We are going to set it up for you!!!
Hi Kimberly!
I see a lot of references in this post to The Solution which I thought was your book, which I have and absolutely love. But it is actually a skincare product? Would you please let me know where to purchase this product? I have some acne discoloration/scars and have been using all natural products, primarily coconut oil to improve my skin but would love to use this product that you all are speaking of and that you use. Please let me know what it is, thank you so much!
Rachael
I also have a ton of work today and its weekend and i feel that the skin problems are directly related to the work load and the mental conditions of the body.
HI Airbrush Makeup!
Yes, I agree!! I totally believe that our inner and outer selves are connected. Eating well supplies us with nutrition, but also contributes to our mental health, by us taking the time to nurture and love ourselves, and take time out of our stressful lives for our own self-love!
Please come visit me again soon.
xx Kimberly
You have beautiful skin. Do you use any skin products on your face? what make up products do you use? Your skin glows! Besides eating raw/healthy I wonder if you have a favorite make up line. Thanks for blogging, I love how passionate you are about everything you blog about!
Hey Christine!
Thank you so much for reaching out and emailing me, and also your kind words!
I’ve been using The Solution as my only moisturizer for 4 years now (starting while it was in development). I am a huge believer in letting your skin breathe- and not putting too much on your face!!! I also use our lab samples for The Brightening Cleanser, which is coming out soon, and a few other products which are going to launch soon!!!! So you will have to stay tuned missy! :) These products are in development and testing for a few YEARS before I launch them. It has been a good exercise for me in patience, I’ll tell you that!
Nowadays, I wear as little makeup on my skin as possible- a tiny bit of loose mineral powder here and there or a touch of concealer. Never foundation! Unless it is for a shoot or something like that. I do love waterproof retractable eye liner and mascara. I still use Great Lash mascara by Maybelline because I think it is the best one! As for other makeup lines, I haven’t found one that I’m like “Wow that’s awesome!” so I switch around! I really DON’T like “chunk” mineral makeup, which seems to be popular.
Which makeup lines have you had luck with??
Please keep in touch.
All my very best, Kimberly
Hi Kimberly!
What do you mean by “chunk” mineral make up? I use bare minerals on occasion but on a daily basis I wear eyeliner and sometimes mascara. I have minor problems with acne now that Proactiv has gotten it somewhat under control. Which is why I don’t always wear mineral powder on my face. I also have minor acne scars which take forever to go away! :( I recently looked at the ingredients of Proactiv and they have parabens listed at the bottom. I hope one day your skin care line will launch every product I need so I can strictly an Envision Beauty junkie! I believe your skin care products are awesome and I haven’t even tried it yet! I just have that much belief in you :)
I’ll wait patiently for your future products to release. Until then, stay beautiful and keep up with the posts. :)
Hey Christine!
The Solution is the BEST product for getting rid of acne scars, and I’m not just saying that!! It has a high percentage of Alpha Lipoic Acid, and really gets in there and clears them up amazingly so. I used to have a bunch around my cheeks, and they are all pretty much gonzo- and they used to be like craters and ugly lines.
Ha! I meant “chunk” makeup about brands that go on too thick. I like them to be really fine and not look too powdery, like sitting on the face. I hate that look!!! So Uggg.
Thanks for your kind words and please keep in touch!!
Lots of love, Kimberly
hi Kimberly
What should I do as I have acne scars and really would love to clear my skin :)
Thanks
Sylwia
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you so much for your response!! It really helped me shed some light on the whole business aspect of your product regarding the size and price. I want to still continue using it. :) I have another question. Will you in the future make a product that contains a generous amount of SPF in it? SPF might go against your whole moto of nature and science, but I have really fair skin and I my job is sometimes outside in the sun. So I use an spf moisturizer combined with The Solution as extra protection. I would rather just use your product only and not combine the two together for the sake of not over doing my face with cream. I look forward to hearing from you. :) Thank you and have a nice day!
Hey Lindsey!
Yay, I’m so glad that you got what I was trying to say.
We are actually developing a seperate SPF product! I understand that it is necessary sometimes, and that fair-skinned ladies such as yourself need to use an SPF! (by the way that is great you get to be outside for part of your job!). We did not put any SPF in The Solution because we wanted it to be a pure product that you could use in the mornings and in the evenings. You wouldn’t want any extra ingredients on your face at night.
An SPF is considered an over the counter product, so requires a lot more testing and there are more regulations- which means it takes more time to launch. But it is in the works and when it launches it will be amazing! It will of course be as chemical-free as possible, using titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, as opposed to oxy benzone and other harsh ingredients that have been shown to contribute to cancer and other health issues!
Since they are meant to “block” the sun, ironically these sunscreens can still cause aging, by having ingredients that get heated by the sun and can oxidize on the skin’s surface and form free radicals (similarly to how processed, heated hydrogenated oils cause free radicals in the body)! (Sunscreen companies don’t like to talk about that pesky fact).
Remember that it is not the sun that is evil, but the free radicals that can form with exposure and can damage or alter the molecules of your skin. That can be greatly prevented by having potent antioxidants and free-radical scavengers that immediately put the kabash on that potential damage! So rather than try to “block” the sun’s rays, you can also focus on preventing the ensuing damage on the skin’s surface. Does that make sense? The Solution has Vitamin C and Vitamin E and the highest legal percentage of Alpha Lipoic Acid, which not only smooths the surface of the skin, but is also one of the most poweful, scientifically-proven ingredients that protect against radiation damage. So there is definitely protection in The Solution from incidental sun.
That being said- I would suggest in the meantime, that you apply The Solution right on the surface of your skin, then wait 5-10 minutes to apply a separate SPF if you wish- in the mornings. The Solution will soak into your skin and add additional protection.
Take care, and Please let me know if you have any other questions Lindsey!
All my best, Kimberly
What cleanser do recommend?
HI Donna,
I have been unable to make a public announcement yet about my involvement with Envision and why…
Have you noticed there is no link or mentions of it on my blog anymore? And my picture is not on the Envision site?
I will hopefully be making a public announcement very, very soon. :) Stay tuned!!
Hi Kimberly,
Loving the Green Smoothie every day!
Peggy
Hi Kim!
Can you recommend me a more affordable natural facial cleanser? I always revert to cleansers with harsh detergents and really need some help on this.
Thanks!
Melba
Hi Kimberly loved your book, can you please tell me what moisturizer you use on your face now? Thanks:)
Hello Kimberly,
Is there any way I can protect my skin from the sun? I read in one of your blogs that sunscreen can be bad for you. :/
Thank you,
~Diana
Hi Diana, yes! Stay tuned. I have a great post/recommendation I am doing very soon. :)
Hi, I have always had oily skin my whole life and couldn’t handle alot of lotions. A couple years after having my daughter, I tried the Dr. Hauscka line for oily skin….they use an oil to balance your skins oil production. It was amazing at first, I thought I found my answer after all these years……however, as soon as it turned to winter and the stress of moving to our new house…my skin sucked dry. I have never ever had this problem and I haven’t been able to figure my skin out since. I went back to the cetaphyl I had used prior to hauschka to get some moisture…but it just reacted funny and congested my face even though it was still dry (?) I have since moved onto using coconut oil because a few people have said they use it. I am unsure what to do at this point, and I just want to get my youthful skin back.I have done so much damage during this spell, i’m sure. What do you suggest to get my skin functioning well again? What do you think of the Mychelle line for results? Where do you find your skin care line? I think my skin is too sensitive for the ALA’s in it though… Thank you!
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