Jennifer writes…
I was diagnosed with my first official autoimmune disorder in 2019 after having my first two babies back to back (in under a year). I was overwhelmed and horrified that I was supposed to take a prescription for the rest of my life.
Since then, of course, I’ve learned that Skincare for Autoimmune Disease caring for autoimmune disease goes far beyond pill popping. Even though, in theory, thyroid hormone replacement should get the job done for me, it takes much much more to manage chronic disease.
After the birth of my third baby, I got much sicker. I had already been gluten-free (as implemented in 2019 upon my initial diagnosis), but I still had a lot of work to do. I cleaned up my diet even more and began implementing other lifestyle changes to help my body and gut heal. Want to know where I dropped the ball?!
I was so focused on what went into my body that I completely neglected what went ON to my body.
With so many cosmetics, body washes, lotions, and anti-aging moisturizers on the market, I assumed they were safe. I mean, why wouldn’t they be? Shouldn’t these products be tested to ensure we’re protected?
The short answer is NO. Given what I’ve learned about food safety and quality, it makes sense that some of our body care products may also carry risks.
“risk” is an understatement, to say the least. We ingest thousands of chemicals through our skin (our biggest organ) every day, and most of them lack any scientific data to prove that they are safe for us!
It is frightening, yes? It is even more frightening to a person whose immune system has waged a war on itself.
Though slow to catch on, I’ve been taking LOTS of time to learn about
- what exactly I was putting on my face and skin,
- which commonly used chemicals posed risks for me, and
- which products were much better choices.
I’d like to share a few of my go-to products, which I feel are great additions to the journey of healing and managing autoimmune disease.
Healthy skin from the inside: Collagen
The first thing I use every single day is COLLAGEN.
While this seems like an unlikely skincare choice, it has been instrumental in keeping my skin looking plump and healthy. It also helps protect joints, keeps nails strong and healthy, and is crucial for gut healing.
I take two scoops in my coffee each morning and it dissolves completely and has no taste. Alternatively, you can take this BEAUTY GREENS product from the same company which adds greens to the collagen, even better! (Although maybe not so great in your coffee…wink)
My hair is the longest and most robust it has ever been. EVER. And that’s saying a lot about thyroid disease!
Now that we’ve established healthy skin does start from within let’s talk about day-to-day face stuff like moisturizer, anti-aging goodies, and all the fun stuff!
I’ve gone through phases with skincare because, honestly, I’ve never been blown away by by-products—safe, organic, toxic, or otherwise. I’m finding a groove now and feeling much more enthusiastic about a daily regimen. Now I see my skin look so much more vibrant that the payoff is there to stick to it.
Healthy skin from the outside: Face, Eyes & Body
I use this charcoal bar to wash my face
especially now that it’s warmer outside. Getting the day’s funk off feels good, and my skin feels soft and bright afterward.
I like using this FACE OIL with Ylang Ylang + Chamomile to moisturize, and finding a little goes a long way.
These two products are so clean that I don’t have to worry about a reaction or “side effect,” as we AI sufferers often fear new products.
If I want a little extra anti-aging mph around the eyes
I like this EYE CREAM. Unsurprisingly, it’s a best seller as it feels great and absorbs well. (I can’t stand products that seem to sit on the skin’s surface.)
For an all-over moisturizer
I’m still just a simple COCONUT OIL girl. It’s simple, works, and feels great, too. Plus, it allows me to budget for more fun stuff for my face!
And for faking a nice tan
I just found a SUNLESS TANNER that ranks super low with the Environmental Working Group’s safe skincare database (the other products I’ve included also rank well with EWG). I love the extra warm glow as I work up my Vitamin D exposure in the Summer. While I don’t fear the sun, I know there can be too much of a good thing (hello, photoaging). You can find the sunless tanner.
I could get into cosmetics too and how I like to layer mascara like a drag queen (another story for another day), but I’ll let you chew on this first!