thank you, annmarie

In my early 20s, I felt that everything about my appearance changed.  My skin went from clear to combination with trouble along the T-zone.  My hair went from straight to wavy (and not in a good way!).  I must have been going through one of Rudolph Steiner's seven-year changes.  For years and years now, I've been waiting for another seven-year change to come along and fix all that went askew in my early 20s.  

Enter Annmarie Gianni.   On a tip from my friend Muneeza at Healthy Moon, I gave Annmarie's natural skincare products a try.  There are a few things that make her products unique.  First, you'll notice right away that they are packaged in Miron violet glass.  This keeps the natural ingredients inside the bottle protected from light, increasing the shelf life of the product.  Some say the violet glass also imbues good energy.  Second, Annmarie is a stickler for pure ingredients.  Everything in her products is organic, wild-crafted, non-GMO, and completely and totally chemical free.  And with ingredients like Life Everlasting Flowers, how can you resist?  Third, the first ingredient in her products is "Love".  There must be something to that because my skin, my heart, and my mind just feel better when I am using her products.  I feel like I am treating myself with love and taking the time necessary to care for myself.   

We have been so impressed with Annmarie Gianni's products that we have brought her entire line to UrthChild.  You can purchase them here, and be sure to click the "Video" tab for each product to see Annmarie dishing on natural skin care.  If you'd like to try her products, use the coupon code "AnnmarieLove" for 15% off through October 15.

Over several blog posts, I want to take some time to introduce you to her products and pass along what I've learned.  This first post in the series will focus on five important tips I've learned from Annmarie.  The second post will discuss Annmarie's regimen and tips for caring for oily, hormonal, and combination skin.  Finally, we'll move on to talking about normal and dry skin types.

So, let's start!  Like I said, the first post in this series will focus on the top five important -- and surprising tips -- I learned from Annmarie.  Many of you may know these, but it never hurts to hear it again!

 Tip #1.  If you have oily or combination skin, use cool water to wash your face.  Cool water helps close the pores a bit so they don't release as much oil.  On the flip side, if you have dry skin, use lukewarm water to wash your face.  This will dilate your pores and help them open up more to release needed oil.

Tip #2.  Never use harsh scrubbing on your face.  I definitely did this to my skin.  Because I would break out, I figured I needed to clean harder.  Instead, scrubbing simply irritates skin and pushes toxins, dirt, oil, and make-up down into your pores, clogging them up.  Instead, use a fine facial scrub to help exfolitate and cleanse.

Annmarie Gianni's Ayurvedic Facial Scrub

Tip #3.  Creams are out and facial oils are in.  Oil loves oil.  Nourishing facial oils mix well with the oil in your pores, and as a result, are more easily absorbed by your pores.  This ensures that nourishment and healing oils are carried into your skin to reverse problems.  Creams, on the other hand, are difficult for your skin to absorb and can clog you up.

Tip #4.  Speaking of oils, never skip adding oil to your face...even if you have oily skin!  You need to nourish your skin, which a healthful facial oil can deliver needed nutrients.  Also, facial oils will not clog up your pores like a cream, and can help calm overactive sebum glands.

Annmarie Gianni's Coconut Body and Face Oil

Tip #5.  Protect your skin's acid mantle.  Your skin has a slightly acidic layer that is secreted by your pores.  Because it is acidic, this mantle kills bacteria and other nasties that want to get into your skin and cause trouble.  Harsh cleansers or cleansers that are not slightly acidic will damage or "strip" this delicate acid mantle, and therefore hinder your skin's ability to fight off blemish-causing bacteria.  

Annmarie Gianni's Aloe-Herb Cleanser

Okay, next up is the regimen for oily and combination skin...stay tuned.  In the meantime, give Annmarie a try and take 15% off her products at UrthChild through October 15 with the code "AnnmarieLove".