Foreo– I used to use my clarisonic to cleanse my skin at night until Samantha (my esthetician friend in case you missed Skincare: Part 1 !) warned me that they can harbor bacteria so I switched over to a Foreo Brush. The full sized one is a bit pricey, so I got the cheaper travel size option to test out and I absolutely LOVE it!
Samantha Says– If you don’t feel like investing in a cleanser brush, a good old wash cloth will do. Just be sure to wash it after every use.
GLOPro– I used to be really good about using my micro-needle roller but I’m just so dang tired at night. I try my best to used it at least twice a month. It’s great for stimulating natural collagen growth, regeneration of skin, and prepping skin for product absorption. When I use my GLO-pro, I use it at night, after cleansing and then continue with all of my night time products.
Samantha Says– “I use my GLOPro once every 2-3 nights if I can remember….so like once a week.” The GloPro contains 500+ microneedles that penetrate the surface of the epidermis,triggering the skins healing process (hello collagen!) and allowing your serums to dive a little deeper. The added red LED light promotes circulation and improves collagen and elastin production. Immediately after I apply my Growth Factor Plus serum by Rhonda Allison. It’s a “formula boosted with additional antioxidants, essential oils, beta glucan, and most importantly, Chondroitin. Chondroitin stimulates the skin’s memory cells and bolsters its immune system and enhances moisturizing capabilities. The synergy of this increases and enhances regeneration and healing and is also highly moisturizing.” From the Rhonda Allison website.
Jade Roller- These little handheld massagers are are fairly cheap and are supposed to “boost blood circulation, reduce swelling, and help your skincare products penetrate deeper.” Basically, they’re supposed to help with dark under-eye circles and puffiness from fatigue. “The increase in circulation can also help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.” [source: InStyle]
Handheld Fan- I use this tiny little contraption to “dry” and set my liquid products between steps. This is especially handy when I’m in a rush and need that vitamin C to soak in so I can apply my moisturizer & get out the door!
Silk Pillowcase- This is the one I bought! Silk fabric has 18 kinds of amino acids that are believed to effectively stimulate your skin cells’ metabolism, great for anti-aging. Silk is also much less absorbent than other fabrics, meaning all those pricey serums and moisturizers you apply at night will stay on your face, not be soaked up into your pillow case! I’ve heard they take some getting used to, but I’m totally willing to give it a shot if it means less wrinkles and getting more bang-for-my-buck from my skin products!
MASKS:
Drunk Elephant Baby Facial – prob my fav product/mask ever! Get ready for your skin to tingle ladies, because this little mask is literally like a mini-facial in a bottle!!! I use this maybe once a month.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask– Favorite Cheapie Drug store mask!! I use this once every 2 months or so, when my skin is feeling extra oily…this shrinks my pores like unlike anything else I’ve tried!
Mario Badescu Collagen Mask– Firm and tone mature and sensitive skin with this collagen and clay based mask designed to tighten, nourish, and purify skin. Soothing oatmeal helps to reduce redness and irritation on sensitive skin. I use this 1-2 times a month!
Boscia Luminizing Black Masque– This mask is allllll over the “beauty blogger world” right now, so I had to try it. It’s a peel-off mask, so for those of you weirdos like me who like to SEE results AS they are happening (Biorè pore strips, anyone?!) this one is for you! It boosts skin’s clarity and helps minimize the appearance of pores by removing dirt and impurities and absorbing excess oil.
*A word about masks. Unless otherwise noted on the packaging, masks should be applied to a clean, dry face. I typically clean my face, apply mask, leave on for suggested amount of time, rinse, and then proceed with my normal nighttime routine. I don’t typically do “sleep in” masks, but for those I’d probably cleanse, tone/exfoliate and then apply the mask as my “treatment” that night but I’ve heard you can apply “sleep in” masks as the last step to your normal nighttime routine.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion– Spot Treatment for breakouts. DON’T mix the bottle. Simply stick a q-tip down to the pink stuff at the bottom and dab onto breakouts. I put it on at night, sleep with it, and rinse in the am! Best EVER!
Alba Acnedote – salcylic acid spot treatment gel. No parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances
EYES:
Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum– tap-tap-tap around my tired eyes every morning. The Shaba is great preventative serum with copper peptides and soothing anti-inflammatory agents.
Kate Sommerville Goat Milk Eye De-Puffing Balm– I glide this little stick along my dark eye baggage in the mornings before make-up or anytime my eyes need a little pick-me-up. I LOVE this for travel!!
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream– I use this one at night. It’s their super-powered “get sh** done” eye cream with 5 forms of vitamin C & 8 peptides. It helps treat stubborn damage, strengthens skin, improves fine lines, and brightens uneven tone.
Samantha Says:I use a PIN PRICK amount of Cosmedix Opti Crystals every night. Copper peptides stimulate collagen & elastin, coconut extract and liquid crystal technology provide hydration, and antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals. It looks like unicorn tears!
Tip: Things getting pricey?! Try the Drunk Elephant “The Littles” kit. You get to sample eight products for under $100!
LIPS:
Vitamin E Stick– I love these little sticks of pure vitamin E & keep one in my car, purse, and bedside table!
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm is also an absolute fav. I apply it morning and evening at the end of my skin care routine! I love that it can also be used around eye area and on cheekbones for an extra boost of moisture & glow! Insider tip: The lippe balm itself is $18, so instead, I like to spring for the $25 “Out of Office” set which includes the lippe balm and travel sized bottles of the Virgin Marula Oil & the D-Bronzi Anti-pollution sunshine drops! Worth the extra $7 for two extra products, I think!
Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub-My lips get SO dry and chapped, especially in the winter. This is a great exfoliator for sloughing off that dead skin!
Honest Beauty Honest Balm– I used to use this for my lips but my friend Danielle (and spa-bum) told me to also dab a tiny bit along my cheekbones for the ultimate “glow”…it’s my favorite “fresh from the spa” party trick! Thanks, D! 😉
TIPS:
Don’t forget your neck and decolletage when applying products!
Have some excess on your hands after application? Rub that on in!!! Why not battle the signs of hand-aging and face-aging at the same time!
Rinse cleansers off with COOL water. Warm water opens your pores and we want those suckers closed up tight!
Do not underestimate the importance of drinking water and getting a good night’s sleep as a part of your skincare routine! Easier said than done…I know. I’m a night owl but have used the following to help me fall asleep at night:
A Casper Glow light– this little light syncs with your circadium rhythm and slowly dims over time to help you drift off to sleep naturally. I have one in all the kid’s rooms too!
Blue Light Blockers! Blue Light (hello tvs, ipads, phones, etc.) are one of the main culprits in disrupting our sleep cycle. I use my glasses every night to limit the amount of blue light my eyes are taking in! I’ve totally seen a difference.
Missing Something? Don’t forget to hit up the first segment of this series:
Ok, let’s talk Skincare! If we’re being honest, I only started caring about my skin a few years ago…riiiight around the time when my age started showing. Coincidence much? 😉
Anyway, I had NO idea where to start, what kind of skin I had, or what the heck “ferulic acid” was, aside from the fact that it sounded like it would melt my face off (newsflash- it WON’T!)
So where did I start?
First, I booked myself a facial at a trustworthy spa.
I was lucky enough to get an extremely knowledgeable esthetician who listened to my concerns, answered my questions, and didn’t push products and treatments on me. She walked me through what I should be doing for my skin and suggested a few key products. I then went on to research and learn more myself…it’s been overwhelming, but totally fun at the same time!
While getting a professional spa treatment was great, I understand that it’s not always an option– and that’s totally ok, too. Lucky for us, my amazing friend Samantha, who happens to be an esthetician, has been kind enough to chime in on my routine & products!
**And before we get started, here’s a quick (& embarrasing) BEFORE & AFTER of my face (I can’t believe I’m showing you these!)Left was taken a year ago when I first started my skincare routine (I’ve added/changed products over time) The photos on the right were taken this week. Look at how the pigmentation & dullness has faded and how much more consistent and hydrated my skin looks now! I have no makeup on my face in these photos (Although I had lash extensions in the “before pics”) and my skin has not been edited and do I even need to state the glaringly obvious: “NO filters applied!”
Ok, now let’s get YOU started on your own face transformation! I hope this little guide we put together helps you find some new products and establish a routine that works best for your skin!
*A NOTE* You might notice my love of Drunk Elephant products below. While I haven’t perfected “clean product usage”, I do try my best to select products that are natural, organic, and paraben-free over other comparable products and to buy brands that are “ingredient conscious” as often as possible! One of my fav parts about Drunk Elephant is that they give you testers of their products in most of their full size product boxes. I collect them for when I travel!
AM and PM SKINCARE ROUTINE
Ok, here is a no-nonsense cheat sheet of my basic skincare routine steps, to give you a little overview before we dive in….
Now let’s get down to business and break these steps down!
STEP 1. Cleanse
What I Use– Well, I USED to just splash cool water on my face in the morning…until Samantha came into my life. She taught me the importance of morning cleansing (and DOUBLE cleansing in the evening) and introduced me to my new favorite products: Eminence Stone Crop Cleansing Oil and Tata Harpers Purifying Cleanser (Both natural & organic!) But, why TWO cleansers? Read below…
Samantha Says-
Morning- I regularly apply acids & retinols to my skin during my night time routine, so it’s important for me to get in a quick cleanse in the morning to remove products and any build up of dead skin cells. I usually reach for my Eminence Stone Crop Cleansing Oil – keeps my skin soft and hydrated without compromising my acid mantle, but gently removes all the rest. Steer clear of face washes that foam as these usually contain surfactants and will strip your skin of essential moisture and can create an alkaline surface that’s favorable to bacteria – ew! If I’m in a rush and don’t have time to wash, I do a quick wipe down with Bioderma Micellar water on a cotton round. This removes heavy emollients, sweat, and shedding skin cells from the night before & will help your daytime serums & treatments be most effective.
Evening- I double-cleanse in the evenings if I’ve worn makeup or SPF that day (so, basically always). I start with a balm or oil cleanser – my Eminence Stone Crop, or I also really love Clinique’s cleansing balm (the balm, not the oil!) – and then follow that cleanse with either Tatcha’s Deep Cleanse, Tata Harpers Purifying Cleanser, or I just use my oil cleanser again. I have combination, aging skin, and neither of these cleansers leave my skin feeling “stripped” or tight, but they’re both equally as effective for my husband who has combination skin and loves that “clean” feeling. win-win!
2. chemical exfoliants (ie Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 ). I swear by P50. But if you can’t get your hands on it I would also recommend AH Liquid Gold, Pixie Glow Tonic (affordable option & sold at Target!), or Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads (I take these when I travel, because they’re convenient and fool-proof). Be sure to wear SPF and/or cover up if you apply these in the daytime to avoid skin damage- or just save them for night!
Toning is one of the most important steps for prepping your skin for the serums and moisturizers you use after. Toners were originally thought of as a second cleanse – to remove any remaining makeup/sebum/cleanser – but toners are SO MUCH MORE than that. A toner can either help to rebalance your skins neutral PH and provide additional hydration, or you can use acidic toners that help to exfoliate the skin, and challenge it in a safe (and non-abrasive!!) way. Think of acid toners as the new “St. Ives Apricot Scrub” exfoliator for your skin- but, like, WAY better for your skin! When you apply an acid toner to your skin, you put your skin in an acidic PH state, make the pores act like little vacuums; pulling anything applied to it more effectively and deeply. This method is frequently used by estheticians during chemical peels, applying vitamin A/retinol to the skin when its at its most acidic state to drive it deeper into the epidermis.
What it does- Ok, yes…CE Ferulic is a SPLURGE for sure, but I seriously love it so much & it lasts forever! “It features an antioxidant combination of ferulic acid, pure vitamins C and E, and it enhances your skin’s protection against environmental damage. It helps neutralize free radicals induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation, and ozone pollution. It also improves signs of aging and photodamage, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles while firming and brightening your complexion.” [taken from DERMSTORE] If CE Ferulic isn’t in the budget, try Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum instead! But definitely apply some form of Vitamin C every day! Next, The TLC Serum I use at night has glycolic acid (a natural exfoliant) so it resurfaces dull skin and gently lifts dead skin cells away for a clear, smooth, and even looking complexion. I like using this one at night because it enhances the performance of other products by clearing the way for maximum absorption [info taken from Drunk Elephant & Allure.com ]
Samantha Says– I have a rotation of serums that I interchange depending on what my skin is telling me it needs – for hydration I use Hydrafacial brand, for additional exfoliation Sunday Riley Good Genes never fails me for added exfoliation & pigment concerns, and for tissue repair Kate Somervile Deep Tissue Repair with Peptides is a creamy treatment that can be used in this step or as your moisturizer. Listen to your skin and switch up your treatments, or even better, COCKTAIL your serums together to feed your skin what it needs. I’m a mad scientist in my bathroom mixing multiple serums together – have fun with it!
What it does–The Derm-e is a silky, lightweight formula that re-hydrates, detoxifies and replenishes nutrients during the day. The Water Drench is a serum so you only need a tiny bit to make your skin glow & feel hydrated all day, without the heaviness of a lotion based moisturizer. I. FREAKING. LOVE. THIS. STUFF!!! The Drunk Elephant Protini’s formula “delivers younger, revived-looking skin, almost from the first application. Lines, wrinkles and signs of sun-damage appear reduced; depleted skin feels strengthened and moisturized.” Sign me up! Love this stuff for my night time routine!
Samantha Says– Hi. My name is Samantha, and I’m addicted to Skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet overnight cream for my nighttime moisturizer. This retinol + glycolic + lactic acid blend is POWERFUL. Goodbye wrinkles, texture, dullness, and frankly, my thirties! It also contains antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, and more. Holy. Grail. For another moisturizer option, Jordan hit the nail on the head here…Drunk Elephant Protini is really, really, REALLY good. It’s very rich, and best suited for a “normal” to dry or aging skin type. Kate Somerviles Goat Milk moisturizer is another favorite.
My oily girls – if you don’t like the heavy feeling of a moisturizer AND an SPF during the day, feel free to skip a moisturizer altogether! Instead, use a hyaluronic acid serum (like Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum to boost hydration and then go straight to your SPF. Side note: if you’re oily and you’re skipping your daily moisturizer and then cleansing at the end of the night with a cleanser that suds, STOP. Oil cleansers will change your life!
STEP 5: Facial Oils (I typically only use oils at night!)
What it Does- The Marula oil is “Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil…helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit…Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.” [Drunk Elephant] The Sleeping Oil is a Retinol & Blue Tansy based oil. I use it a few times a week in the place of my other oil, because- duh…this tired mama needs some retinol in her life! (I only use facial oils at night because they tend to be a bit too heavy for me to have on all day.) Other Options- Le Prunier Facial Oil (LOVE! Could replace the Marula Oil), Mad Hippie Facial Oil, Honest Beauty Organic Facial Oil
Samantha Says- I apply Luna Sleeping Night Oil over my night cream to lock everything in and keep my skin hydrated but still working for me. This is a great retinol starter if you’ve never used a retinol or for anyone who finds that other retinols are irritating to their sensitive skin. A bottle lasts for what feels like forever.
What it does- Love this stuff! The Umbra Tinte has just the slightest amount of tint, with an spf 30 protection. I use it as my “foundation” every day! I love using the supergoop spray on-the-go when I need to reapply sunscreen without messing up my makeup. Other Options- La Mer SPF 30 Skin Tint OR for a non-tinted option, get Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer
Samantha Says– If you are staying home all day, no need to apply spf. If you’ll be outside (overcast days included!) or even in your car for more than 15 minutes, apply sunscreen. I like NeoGen Day-Light Protection 50+++. You need to reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours if you’re in direct sunlight (ie beach days, sitting at the park, etc.). I avoid moisturizer/sunscreen combo products because I invest in really high quality (and often times $$$) skincare and don’t want those ingredients being diluted by sunscreen. I don’t need to wear SPF all day, everyday so applying it separate from my moisturizer just makes sense for me.
And the last, BEST thing you can do for your skin? Water, water, water! Drink up, ladies! Nothing will work better than hydrating your skin from the INSIDE, OUT!
Need some help digesting all that info?
I know it might seem like a lot, so here are some little cheat sheets for you. Print them out, stick ’em to your mirror, and voilà…just like the spa at home. 😉
And here’s a blank copy of my chart for you to download, print & fill in with the products you’ll be using. It’ll helpful to keep in your bathroom for reference the first few weeks until it becomes second nature: Blank Skincare Steps Chart
Have Questions?
Check out this fun segment below!
I chatted with a few friends while putting this post together and asked Sam if she would be so kind as to answer a few of our most burning questions! Hope this helps!
A:
1. A proper cleanser that removes makeup & spf but isn’t drying or irritating (if you don’t know if your cleanser is right for your skin take the 2 hour challenge – wash your face and apply NOTHING, wait two hours, then assess your skin. Is it tight and dry? If so, switch to something that isn’t stripping your skin of moisture, ex: an oil or milky cleanser, not something that suds.)
2. Sunscreen! Sun damage is SO aging and preventing it is so EASY and inexpensive. The neutrogena spf at Target will do just fine! If you’re investing in good skincare and not applying spf you’re just wasting your time and money.
3. An oil or cream, preferably one that contains antioxidants and other skin boosting ingredients. If you’re washing your face and not following up by feeding your skin the moisture it needs you’re going to have dull and often times wrinkly/crepe-paper looking fine lines caused by surface dehydration.
A:
This is a tough one because it’s very age related, but if you already have the items above and are looking to really invest in your skincare I would say that anyone over age 30 should start using retinol in their nighttime routine, and if you’re currently using physical exfoliants (St Ives Apricot scrub, anyone?) to instead invest in a good chemical exfoliant/toner/serum like P50, Drunk Elephant TLC, Sunday Riley Good Genes, etc. Physical exfoliants can be so so damaging to the skin, and many of the chemical exfoliating serums mentioned above also contain other great ingredients for your skin and benefit a wide range of skin types and conditions.
A:
YES!!! I sleep on a SLIP pillowcase every night, and I’ve even splurged over the years on extras for my daughters and husband because they’re just so great!! You spend a third of your life in bed, and if you’re like me, you sleep with your face squished against the pillow just begging for wrinkles. Silk pillowcases reduce friction by more than 40% and that benefit spans beyond just your skin – less tangled, damaged, bed-head hair is another perk! Cotton pillowcases are also far more absorbent and I’m not investing in quality skincare just to see it absorbed by my cotton pillowcase. 😉
A:
This is a rabbit hole…
Are you only breaking out around your time of the month? Are your breakouts around your chin area (a usual sign that it’s hormonal)? Are your “breakouts” deep under the skin or on the surface with visible white heads? Looooots of factors here. (Please feel free to message me personally if you have specific skincare concerns, I am happy to help you in a more targeted way here!!)
If you’re already using a retinol and chemical exfoliant toner/serum and still having significant breakouts I would start first by determining if your “breakouts” are true acne or a reaction to products you’re using (overexfoliating, overly dry and stripped skin, or an allergy, etc). Second to that I would eliminate dairy. I did this after having my second daughter (she had allergies) and was SHOCKED by the dramatic change in my skin.
Acne spot treatments are great for treating what’s already there. Salicylic acid is an oil-eater and exfoliant and is best used on black and white heads, as well as those bumps that don’t seem to come to a head. Benzoyl peroxide treatments are best for those big, red, puss filled zits as it kills bacteria.
A:
Ok, here’s the deal. The concern is with overexfolition, and PH. Vitamin A (retinol), the holy grail of skincare, is an antioxidant and works on a cellular level supporting cell production, collagen, and fibroblasts that keep your skin firm, plump, and visibly less wrinkly. Acids, on the other hand, work on the surface of the skin to slough away dead skin cells. While retinol does cause cell turnover, it is not an exfoliant. If you are noticing significant redness, dryness, peeling, and irritation, CUT BACK; alternate using retinol every other night until you’ve built up more tolerance, or find a formula with a lower percentage of vitamin A (an over the counter retinoid like Luna Night Oil is a great place to start) What you really need to know is that keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the sun is the most important thing you should do because as your skin sheds the “adult cells” and reveals new “baby cells” they are fragile and the sun can cause loss of firmness, pigmentation, and wrinkles, and that goes against everything we’re working towards!
Vitamin C + retinol is another concern people have, but fear not. Vitamin C remains stable at a low PH level and previously the concern was that retinol would be ineffective at that PH but that myth has since been debunked. So mix away!
You can follow me on my skin specific Instagram @heyskingirl (I have been inactive recently while getting settled into our new home state, but this was just the motivation I needed to get back at it!), my personal account @samantha.m.hawes or email me at samanthamhawes@gmail.com
**Tip: Things getting pricey?! Try the Drunk Elephant “The Littles” kit. You get to sample eight products for under $100! Also, I built up my collection over a year…don’t think you need to go buy everything at
Ready for MORE?
For my favorite skincare tools, masks, eye products, etc. check out Skincare: Part 2 where we chat about face tools, eyes, lips, masks and more!
Ok, here it is! I’ve been asked so much about what vitamins I give to the kids and how I prevent sickness during the school year so I finally put it all down in one place. But, I want to preface this post by saying that I am in no way a doctor or expert on this topic, just a mama who’s done some research. I’ve also pulled some tips and suggestions from my knowledgeable friend Kelli to compile this post for you. Let me introduce her!
Kelli is a DoTerra rep, a mama to two of the cutest little blonde babes, and she’s as organic and wholesome as they come! Kelli also brings her children to an integrative holistic pediatrician (meaning they utilize alternative AND traditional approaches to pediatric care), and her doctor has recommended many of these products to Kelli over the years. Everyone has that one “beautiful, crunchy, cooks 3 organic meals a day for her family, cleans the house with all-natural products, kids are never sick because she’s a rockstar at immunity boosting” friend…and for me, that friend is Kelli! (Love ya, Kel!) I always go to her with all of my questions about oils and/or natural remedies/immunity boosters! Kelli’s Instagram page is a fountain of knowledge so make sure you go give it a follow @TheGreenHouseEssentials !
Ok, so I should start by saying that my family has basically fallen off our vitamin routine since summer started…perhaps this is why both Cub and I were bedridden for several weeks. (Oops!) But now that we are back at school with birthday parties, dance class, gymnastics, play dates, and germs galore…it’s back to our vitamin routine we go!
I’ll start by listing out the main supplements we use in our house. I’m not as informed as Kelli so I tend to stick to the bare minimum and only add new products after doing lots of research and checking in with my pediatrician!
probiotics (every. single. day.) The only disclaimer is if you are on an antibiotic make sure you do not take your pro and anti at the same time of day! Look for the number of live probiotic cells (culture forming units, or CFUs) per daily serving (the higher the count, the more effective the probiotic will be) AND the type of probiotic strain (I’ve included the ones I like below) when choosing a brand.
multi-vitamin (my kids do NOT eat a balanced diet and if yours do…I need to know your magical ways!) Multi-vitamins help me ensure the kiddos and myself are getting the vitamins & minerals we need.
vitamin D I skip this one in the summer since we spend so much time outside, but once fall/winter hit, I add vitamin D to our routine again.
Sambucus (Elderberry Syrup) We take this when I know the kids have been exposed to germs or at the onset of symptoms. Cubby drinks it straight, for Q I mix her dosage into some juice. Kelli suggests giving it every day at the height of flu season as a preventative measure!
Oil Roller I used to do DoTerra’s OnGuard (or Young Living’s Thieves) in a roller bottle on the girl’s feet every day before school but Kelli suggested adding 10 drops of Melaluca to the 10 drops of OnGuard, (fill the rest of the roller with coconut oil) and applying it to the bottoms of feet OR the spine every day! So we are trying that this year!
Here are the brands I like: (I’ll * the ones Kelli recommended)
Culturelle Probiotics, 5 billion CFUs, powdered packets (I get the flavorless ones and add to the girls chocolate milk. I use a whisk to stir it up real good so they don’t even notice it’s in there! Sometimes I’ll mix it into their yogurts.
Renew Life, 2 Billion CFUs, gummies (These are my girls’ favorites. I give these if we are running late or if the girls “swear” they can taste the powder that day! )
Multi Vitamin:
(Kelli advises to always look for “whole food concentrate” on the label when choosing a multi-vitamin!)
Bio Gia– I’ve used these drops on all three of my babes. The live culture count isn’t crazy high (100 million per 5 drops), but they also contain Vitamin D, so you’re knocking out both in one little dropper. My pediatrician recommended me starting my newborns on these drops right from birth, but at a lower dose than the 5 drop serving size. Ask your pediatrician before using.
*Baby Jarrow– I’ve also used this before. It’s a powder designed for babies and has 3 billions CFUs, I used to mix some into the babe’s bottles but preferred the drops!
I never gave my newborns a multivitamin because I always took one and I knew they were getting the nutrients from me when breastfeeding. When they moved on to formula, I always used organic brands of formula that contains all the nutrients they needed. But once they get a bit bigger or if you feel they need it, *Child Life Multi-Vitamin & Mineral is a good one to use on babes 6months and up, and comes in liquid form.
*Vital Protiens Collagen Peptides powder– I add this to my coffee every morning. It “promotes youthful skin, healthier hair, and stronger nails and helps keeps bones healthy and strong, and supports joint health.”
Immunity Boost:
When I’m feeling symptoms of sickness or know I’ve been exposed, I will suck on *Sambucas lozenges all day long and even take some of the *immune syrup.
I will add in some of the kids’ *Vitamin D drops to my juice or coffee
If my throat gets tingly, I gargle with a shot of orange juice with 3-5 drops of OnGuard mixed in for as long as I can.
And that’s what we do at our house! If you found this post interesting, please make sure to follow Kelli over on Instagram @TheGreenHouseEssentials. She’ll be giving wellness tips and tricks all winter long, per usual! And do me a favor, make your shopping list of vitamins and immunity boosters from above and then go ahead and call your pediatrician and run it all by him/her!
Always, always check with a doctor before starting your child on a new healthcare regime, even if it is “just vitamins!”
Hope the germs stay away and that y’all have an awesome school year!
*This post is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thank you for following and reading!
Kelli is a DoTerra rep, a mama to two of the cutest little blonde babes, and she’s as organic and wholesome as they come! Kelli also brings her children to an integrative holistic pediatrician (meaning they utilize alternative AND traditional approaches to pediatric care), and her doctor has recommended many of these products to Kelli over the years. Everyone has that one “beautiful, crunchy, cooks 3 organic meals a day for her family, cleans the house with all-natural products, kids are never sick because she’s a rockstar at immunity boosting” friend…and for me, that friend is Kelli! (Love ya, Kel!) I always go to her with all of my questions about oils and/or natural remedies/immunity boosters! 
Jordan & Co 