by Elle | Mar 30, 2023 | ANTI-AGING, Anti-aging, health, lifestyle, Puresthetics, Skin Care
Hello Beautiful!
As we know, age is just a number, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace our wisdom while looking and feeling our best. In order for our skin to look it’s best and stay healthy and youthful we must be proactive and use high quality skin care products day and night. It has to be routine, a ritual.
Over time our skin undergoes natural changes that are often beyond our control. Here’s what you can expect after the age of 40:
Skin Care Over 40:
Collagen and Elastin Production Slows Down: These essential proteins are responsible for keeping our skin firm and supple. As we age, their production decreases, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Skin Thins and Loses Elasticity: With time, the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases, making it more fragile and prone to bruising, dryness, and irritation so it’s imperative that we are replenishing that moisture both internally with proper diet and exercise and externally with high quality skin care protucts.
Cell Turnover Rate Decreases: As the skin matures, our skin cells take longer to regenerate, which may result in a dull complexion, uneven skin tone, and a less youthful appearance. Keep your metabolism strong with a healthy lifestyle and make sure to eat plenty of protein to keep the muscles and skin plump and strong.
Sun Damage Accumulates: Long-term exposure to harmful UV rays accelerates the aging process, causing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and a leathery texture. SPF every single day is nonnegotiable!
Yes the natural aging process can be a bit depressing but there is plenty we can do about it! Here are just a few amazing products you can start with to dramatically shift the appearance of your skin.
🌿 Skin Resurfacing Serum: Gently exfoliate dull skin and other imperfections for a radiant-looking complexion. This multi-tasking serum simultaneously resurfaces, calms, and hydrates the skin, helping to improve skin tone, texture, and clarity. Its unique formula features a slow-release glycolic arginine complex and hydrolyzed prickly pear flower extract to help dull skin appear even and smooth without irritation. Its gentle yet effective formulation is suitable for daily use for all skin types including sensitive skin.
🌿 Face Reality Antioxidant Peptide Eye Gel: Antioxidant Peptide Eye Gel wakes up tired eyes with a potent formula of antioxidants and peptides that help reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.
🌿 Skin Revitalizing Mask Enzyme Mask: An at-home enzyme mask with papaya, honey and fruit extracts that calms and exfoliates the skin, leaving a glowing complexion.
🌿 Daily SPF 30 Lotion : Daily SPF 30 Lotion provides UVA & UVB protection and antioxidant skin support. It is a lightweight sunscreen making it a good choice for daily wear, even under makeup. Key ingredients include Green Tea Extract and Allantoin. This versatile sunscreen is appropriate for all skin types.
Take charge of your skin’s health and beauty with quality skin care. You are your greatest investment, so care for it well! Say goodbye to aging worries and hello to a more confident, radiant you! Skin care over 40 doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing, just focus on hydration, SPF and cell turnover!
Stay Beautiful,
Elle
by Elle | Mar 22, 2023 | Puresthetics, wellness
Lately I have been practicing paying more attention to my body, emotions and how they affect my life as a whole. As a woman, my body is always changing physically, hormonally and emotionally and I am paying more attention to these changes to see where I can learn, where I need to make changes and where I need to let go and flow. I’ve noticed that the phases of the moon affect me on a physical level so I have been diving into studying the moon and it’s movements and it’s energy. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
The changing phases of the moon affect more than just the tidal waves. While we only observe its changing shapes and illumination, the moon also shifts its energy, directly alters our mood and emotions, and directly affects our physical and mental health.
The moon controls our subconscious emotions over parts of ourselves that we feel are inexpressible, and it tugs at those parts to help us become self-aware and recognize our inner needs.
Think of it this way; the moon has authority over the tidal waves and can shift their intensity and motion. 60% of the human body consists of water. Hence, the moon can also change the power and action of our emotions, thoughts, and way of life.
How To Understand The Moon
Moon mapping is one of the most excellent methods of understanding the moon’s phases and recognizing the power of each phase.
The common belief is that each moon cycle has eight total phases where the moon changes its shape and illumination, but most importantly, it changes the energy it radiates.
With each new phase, we have the chance to harness the energy of said phase and use it to improve how we live our lives.
Suppose you are looking to understand yourself better, become more aware of your desires, goals, and ambitions, or are hoping to practice resilience and patience. In that case, moon mapping can help you transform yourself.
Alignment With The Moon
Though self-care is always helpful for personal well-being, adjusting our routines to coincide with the moon’s phases can help us obtain the care we deserve when we need it.
Creating a habit of following rituals and focusing our practices on specific aspects of ourselves during the phases can help us harness and enjoy the most of its energy.
Here are a few things that we suggest!
New Moon Phase; Set Intention And Create A Vision Board
The new moon phase represents the start of a new cycle. It is a new beginning, a chance to start fresh. You can focus on what inspires you or motivates you to become a better, more grown version of yourself.
This phase is all about self-reflection. So peek within and figure out what you want from your life, whether in terms of career, opportunities, family, or yourself. Reflecting on these matters will lead to your goals for the cycle.
Once you recognize your needs and wants, you can start setting an intention for the goals you want to achieve during this moon cycle. Ensure that your goals are achievable in the given time and will bring your happiness.
Ideally, you can create a vision board for yourself, planning your actions, areas of improvement, or the changes you will have to make in your lifestyle.
However, just journaling your intention will be enough to get you in the mood for growth.
Waxing Moon Phases; Workout And Check-In
This phase is the time to work on the goals that you have set for yourself. You now know what you truly want to achieve- go, get it!
Embrace your dreams and indulge in any activity that brings you closer to actualizing your dreams and aspirations. Whether it is physical workouts, taking risks, or becoming more vocal about your love.
While doing so, please check in with your body about how it feels and revise your goals. Ask yourself whether you are acting on what you wanted, and if you are, does it feel the way it should?
These check-ins with yourself and your goals will help you stick to the right path. If there is ever anything that you do not feel comfortable with, you can drop the objective for the time being and focus on other aspects.
Full Moon Phases; Cleansing
When the full moon shines, it radiates most of its energy—the self-reflective power points towards what we need to release to move towards what we want to achieve.
This is the time to let go of anything that no longer serves you any purpose, whether it is relationships, careers, or personal habits. By doing so, you will be putting down a burden that was never yours to carry in the first place and moving towards things you deserve.
The ideal way to harness the energy in this phase is to cleanse yourself, within and without. Detox your body with good food, water, and natural ingredients. Indulge in a cleansing bath with herbs, salts, and essential oil to remove any stagnant or damaging energy from within. Ensure that during this phase, your body, mind, and spiritual self are aligned.
Waning Moon Phases; Rest, Recharge, Gratitude
Before the next cycle begins, rest and recharge for what is about to come. Go over the intentions achieved and let go of all that was not accomplished. Everything that no longer serves you any purpose, it is time to let your grasp loose and release it.
Use this time to indulge in self-care routines; yoga, workouts, massages, walks or reading a book. Whatever helps you relax and prepare yourself for the upcoming cycle.
This is also an excellent time to show gratitude to yourself and the Universe for your achievements and ability to do so. Write down what you have learned, what you plan on continuing to practice, and how you will continue to show yourself the love that you rightfully deserve.
How Does This Affect My Happiness?
Pleasure, comfort, gratitude, hope, and inspiration; are feelings of happiness that come from positive attitudes and mindsets.
The idea behind moon mapping is to help you harness that positive energy that will help you attain positive attitudes. The hopeful and inspiring power of the moon, the self-reflection of the moon, and the gratitude of the moon will help you grow into the version of yourself that you genuinely desire to be.
Happiness comes from within, and through self-reflection and moon mapping you will be able to more easily connect with your higher self, your inner wisdom and the innate joy of just being.
[bctt tweet=”Happiness comes from within, and through self-reflection and moon mapping you will be able to more easily connect with your higher self, your inner wisdom and the innate joy of just being.” username=”ellelorenzetti”]
How does the moon affect you? Have you had any experiences with the different phases of the moon? I’d love to hear your experience!
With Love
xoxoxo
Elle
by Elle | Feb 17, 2023 | health, lifestyle, Puresthetics, Self-Care, wellness
In the modern world, stress and anxiety have become uninvited guests in most people’s lives. Due to the growing complexities of life, people are experiencing higher and higher levels of stress and worry.
Obviously, this has grave consequences for a person’s health and quality of life. Other important aspects of life like relationships, career, and finances are also severely impacted.
So, in the world that we live in, it’s important to look for ways to relax, heal and ensure your well-being. One way you can relax and heal is by using crystals.
Crystals have the energy to cleanse a space, raise vibrations, bring clarity, protection and healing. I have used them for years, in my pocket, purse, bra, I even have them in my office to keep the space balanced and bring the right energy in.
I recently started meditating with my crystals, holding them in my left palm and feeling the energy they have to offer. It’s been so healing and supportive during turbulent times. I’ve also been listening to sleep meditations as I fall asleep and that’s been magical as well but that’s for another time…
I’m going to go deeper into my crystal practice to help continue to ground, protect and support me and I wanted to offer you another tool you can utilize to create self care, spiritual hygiene.
Crystals have been in use for thousands of years for physical and mental healing, relaxation, the manifestation of dreams, guidance, establishing a connection with higher forces, and so much more. Different types of crystals give you different results.
When it comes to relaxation, you have a ton of choices. You can meditate with them daily, place them throughout your home, carry them in your purse or bag, and even wear them as jewelry. Doing so will keep you feeling peaceful, serene, and in harmony with everything around you. Let’s take a look at some wonderful crystals you can begin to use in your own well being and self care routine.
1) Moonstone
Moonstone exudes calming energies that can wash away your fears and worries. The healing energies of this stone can make you feel relaxed, calmer, and more peaceful. Many people use this stone to treat their sleep disorders like insomnia. This goes to show how effective it is at calming your mind. For best results, you can place it near or under your pillow when you go to sleep.
2) Angelite
There is a reason why this stone is called Angelite. Just like the guardian angels, this stone exudes the pure energy of light, which can ward off any negative emotions. It can leave you feeling hopeful, relaxed, positive, and refreshed. It also has the power to connect you with your higher self. This further helps you feel supported and looked after.
3) Smoky Quartz
This beautiful crystal is perfect for grounding purposes. Often when you experience too much stress and anxiety, you might lose your balance and become erratic. Using this crystal can help you find your balance, center yourself, and feel grounded. Since it resonates with the Earth’s energies, it can help you feel connected with mother nature and leave you feeling relaxed and supported.
4) Amethyst
This is an exquisite crystal that can do wonders for your mental health. It is packed with healing energies that can disintegrate the negative energies of stress and anxiety. It can also improve the quality of sleep by inducing deeper levels of sleep. Amethyst can also help you connect with divine forces, which can make you a more positive, courageous, and strong person.
5) Lepidolite
This beautiful pink crystal might seem like a gentle stone. But it has powerful energies that can soothe your mind, fill you with self-love, help you sleep, and release unwanted tension from your body and mind. It can also raise your vibrational state to a much more positive one. The result is that you feel exuberant and confident.
My prayer for you is that you are able to heal, gain clarity and restore balance in your home and life. We all need healing during this time and we have the responsibility to make sure we are doing the work on ourself to feel our best.
Sending tons of Love, Light and Warm Energy
xoxoxo
Elle
by Elle | Jan 11, 2023 | health, Puresthetics, Skin Care, Uncategorized
Pregnancy is equal parts serenity, joy, anticipation and panic. Between the parade of emotions and all the prep, you don’t have much time to think about your skin. But with hormones in overdrive, it’s unlikely your skin will let you cruise through this time without a few surprises. You might find your skin breaking out even if your skin is normally clear. You could also experience rosacea or melasma.
Some of the products you might normally turn to target these issues are off limits during pregnancy and nursing as they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and may pose a risk to your baby. Fortunately, the FDA provides a pregnancy-safe rating system to help in this regard. Their scale is A, B, C, D and X, A being no risk, X being off limits.
Here’s a quick rundown to help you determine what’s okay and what’s “no way.”
Retinoids
Even though vitamin A is required for proper development of the fetus, too much is not good for baby. Excess Vitamin A during pregnancy is linked to birth defects and liver toxicity. You get plenty from your diet. This is not the time to add it topically. Any form of vitamin A—Retin A, retinyl, retinol, retinoid—is off your list, Mama.
Tezorac and Accutane
These prescription acne-fighters are totally off the table. The FDA lists them as category X on the pregnancy-safe scale.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Some doctors consider it safe in small amounts during pregnancy. Others say no. The FDA puts it in category C, possible risk to fetus. Studies indicate that, when applied topically, only 5% of BP is absorbed through the skin, and then it is completely metabolized to benzoic acid within the skin and excreted unchanged in the urine. We always like to err on the safe side, so while BP is highly effective for treating acne, it might be wise to choose an alternative during pregnancy and nursing, or at least significantly limit your usage.
Salicylic Acid
This beta hydroxy acid appears in the ingredient list of many acne creams and washes. Salicylic acid is a class C on the FDA pregnancy rating scale but is a metabolite of aspirin, which is a class D, and it is absorbed through the skin. No studies with salicylic acid have been done on pregnant women. Animal studies have shown an association with birth defects with consistent, high doses. Used topically, in small amounts, it’s considered safe, but I would err on the side of caution and avoid. I use this BHA very sparingly in the office. Some skin types work well with this acid and it works great on specific conditions such as Rosacea. It’s not my go to in treating acne and inflammation but I absolutely love it mixed with other acids in chemical peels. Once the baby is born and the doctor gives you clearance, we can begin doing peels again to combat anything that popped up during pregnancy.
Hydroquinone
Used for skin lightening, hydroquinone has a fairly high absorption rate —35% to 45%. While only one study has been done involving its use during pregnancy and that was not conclusive, the high absorption rate warrants added caution. While it rates a C on the risk scale, my advice is to avoid hydroquinone during pregnancy and nursing.
Soy
Soy-based products have an estrogenic effect, which can make acne and melasma worse. Look for “active soy” products that have had the estrogenic components removed. I’m not a fan of Soy as a whole but it’s kind of hard to avoid these days, it seems to be in everything we eat.
Top Pregnancy-Safe Choices!
Mandelic Acid
Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) including lactic and glycolic are safe for use during pregnancy and nursing. These natural exfoliators help to stimulate cell renewal and collagen production. But one AHA is unique among others and is our top choice for pregnancy-safe skin care: Mandelic Acid. This is one of my favorites that I use every day. I use it in my cleanser, scrubs and serums. They range in strength from 5% – 15%. Most of my clients are on 5-8% serums but we can increase the strength if the skin is ready. The 15% is very strong and I usually don’t recommend it and if I do, it’s not for daily use. Maybe a few times a week.
Derived from bitter almonds, this gentle AHA is a multi-tasking wonder that targets all your issues—acne, fine lines, and discoloration. Because of its larger molecular size, it’s absorbed more slowly into the skin so it’s less irritating than some other AHAs, so it won’t trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation even in darker skin tones. It’s also a natural melanin inhibitor, making it ideal for fading hormonally-induced melasma.
Other Pregnancy-safe alternatives
Erythromycin
Topical erythromycin, an antibiotic that kills acne bacteria, is a B on the FDA scale, minimal risk. This topical acne fighting gel is a safe way to treat acne during pregnancy.
Sulfur
A natural mineral that fights bacteria and aids in shedding dead skin, sulfur has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. And it’s safe for use during pregnancy.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
This essential antioxidant is critical to the synthesis of collagen and helps to keep skin glowing, clear and protected from UV radiation. It’s a great overall skin enhancer that can be used safely during pregnancy and nursing. Not for every skin type especially if you are acne prone or excessively oily but great for Normal/Dry skin. Can be used daily during the day.
Sunscreen
Since UV exposure can worsen melasma, sunscreen is a must. Choose physical sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide don’t penetrate the skin. Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone.
If you have any questions or need help navigating your skin health, don’t hesitate to reach out! We are here to help.
xoxo
Elle
by Elle | Jan 4, 2023 | From My Heart, health, lifestyle, Puresthetics, Self-Care, Skin Care, Skin Health, wellness
Happy New Year Friend!
As each year goes by, my intention is always to become a more evolved human being, more loving and more aware of how I show up in the world. 2022 was a very spiritual year for me and I learned many things. As time goes on, I will be sharing more with you about my spiritual practices in hopes to help you along your own journey. The last few years rocked our worlds and now it’s time to pick up the pieces and put them together the way that works best and that will look different for everyone.
The Only Way Out Is Through…
I am not perfect and I still have a lot to learn but awareness and the intention for growth is the first step.
As I look over 2022 there were a lot of lessons learned and now I feel a firm foundation underneath me that is lifting me to a higher vibration. Which brings me to
1. Trust The Process: This is really hard to do when we are going through trials and tribulations in our lives. It’s hard to see the trees from the forest when life seems to be spiraling, confusing, at a standstill etc… but if we just hold on, everything will begin to make sense. We can’t see how things work out until we look backwards and see the path and the choices we made. In the same light, we can not see the path forward until we begin walking forward on the path. One of my favorite quote is “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” – Rumi
2. Patience: This has always been a difficult thing for me to master, maybe it’s because I’m am only child, a Libra or maybe I’m just crazy! LOL Either way, I have settled in my spirit the value of patience. Allowing life to unfold before me without trying to control the outcome or other people. Everyone is walking their own path on their own journey in this lifetime and it is not my responsibility to judge myself or others. Now when I want something, I set the wheels in motion, hold the intention for it and continue to move forward knowing that everything for me will manifest in due time. The key is for me to stay true to myself and in alignment with my spirit.
3. Life Is Cyclical: Everything moves in cycles. The seasons always change during the same times every year and our lives will cycle and spiral the same lessons, habits and energies until we become aware and work on breaking these cycles and ascend to higher timelines. As spiritual beings having human experiences, we have the ability to shift and jump onto higher or lower frequencies and reset the entire direction of our lives and the lives of our children and their children. It takes A LOT of work and time but it is absolutely necessary if we are to create a life of peace, joy and happiness.
4. Healing Is Not Linear: It goes up and down, back and forth so be gentle with yourself and give yourself grace and space to evolve. Breaking habits and learning new ways to be can take years to master and even then, since we are humans, we will have to check ourselves and remember to practice moving a different way. In 2022 I became more consistent in my meditation, journaling and self care regimens. I realize that if I want new things to enter my life, I have to continually be removing things to make space for the new to arrive. Removing things consists of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, clothes, furniture, anything that is not serving a purpose in my life needs to be moved out of the way so what is good for me can come and stay. I am learning how to become a better manifestor with clear intentions.
5. Health & Wellness Are Not Automatic: As we age we have to be extremely intentional about our health, mental, physical and spiritual. Our physical health significantly decreases after age 35-40 and if we do not continue moving, stretching and strength training, a lot of pain will start setting in and the skin will begin looking dry, irritated and wrinkled. Most of this comes from inflammation in the joints and in the gut and improper use of low quality skin care products/regimen. I make sure to walk daily and I purchased a stand up desk for my home office. I am also going to add a walking pad under my desk so I can get at least 10,000 steps a day. I make sure to apply high quality skin care to my skin both day and night and I do weekly masks on both hair and skin. My mental and spiritual practices consist of meditation, cleansing baths, communicating with my ancestors, journaling, lighting candles and working on more awareness when I am being triggered in certain ways and communicate my feelings and emotions effectively.
My prayer for you is that you will begin taking your self care very seriously, create your own practices, bring more joy into your life and vibrate higher.
Sending Love Your Way
xoxoxo,
Elle
