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Rewilding the skin: a 30 day journey to balancing the microbiome
*Commercial collaboration with Esse Skincare
Rewilding the skin - a 30 day journey to balancing the microbiome of my skin
Confession: I’ve never been diligent or good at taking care of my skin (or hair) for that matter as I’ve been quite lucky with having healthy skin. However, after moving back to Finland about three years ago, I noticed my skin did not like the shift from a tropical climate to a dry and cold environment. I slowly started to become aware of how this change took a toll on my skin, as it started getting dry and dull, not to mention the impurities and zits that would surface. I realized I needed to do something about it.
Pic: Johanna Keto Photography
Another confession: I’ve only been to a facial three times in my life. Once in Mexico and twice to Jolie Spa in Helsinki. I booked these spa visits in hope of a quick fix for my skin problems. Spoiler alert: turns out there’s no quick fix. That being said, I truly loved the way my skin felt after the visits, which was also the reason I went back. During these visits I learned that the line they use for their facials is called Esse Skincare. It’s worthwhile to mention that Esse Skincare is only sold by cosmetologists. Fast forward a couple months after my second spa visit, and I receive an inquiry about collaborating with Esse Skincare. At this point I was already familiar with some of their products as I used their cleanser and toner, but I still mixed them with other conventional beauty products. But this challenge was to to only use Esse Skincare products for 30 days and report back about my experience. The universe always has a funny way of creating these synchronicities when we are open to receiving. So of course I said yes. I was also excited to commit to a skin care regimen, as I sometimes (like mentioned) can be a bit sloppy with stuff like this.
About the line
The Esse Skincare line is inspired by nature and the idea with this challenge is to rewild the skin (hence the name of the challenge), which simply means that it’s all about bringing back the natural pH of the skin and rebuilding it with the help of probiotics. Interestingly it has been noted how we only have certain skin issues in Western cultures (results from poor diet, stress, pollution, disconnection from nature, hormonal issues, but also from toxic beauty products and too many “deep cleanses”). Skin deceases like acne or eczema are almost non-existent in hunter-gatherer communities. It’s also fascinating how for years, the industrial beauty standard has suggested that we get “healthy glowing skin” by deep cleansing and by applying synthetic chemicals to “treat” any problems. The problem with this solution however is how it strips our skin from all its natural oils.
The 30 day challenge gives your skin enough time to recreate harmony and to restore that symbiotic state between microbes and the skin. Microbes are often associated with the gut, but they also live on your skin. Your microbiome is actually a crucial part of your health, as it protects you from pathogens and is essential for healthy-looking skin. The line is 100% certified organic (by Ecocert) and infused with prebiotic nutrients to create an intervention of microbes that balance the ecology of the skin. All products hold a pH at 5.
The products I used in the 30 day challenge:
Esse Sensitive Cleanser - an ultra-gentle cleanser designed for sensitive skin that uses probiotic extracts
Esse Sensitive Toner - made for sensitive skin, this toner uses probiotic extracts and prebiotic nutrients to support a state of equilibrium in the skin’s microbiome
Esse Sensitive Nourish Moisturiser - a moisturiser that combines probiotic extracts and prebiotic nutrients to boost barrier function for sensitive skin.
Esse Sensitive Resurrect Serum - an anti-ageing hydrating and plumping serum for sensitive skin
Esse Sensitive Protect Oil - an oil that shields sensitive skin, offering it all round protection from environmental stresses
My experience
Day 1
Thoughts: Okay, I am ready to embark on this journey of taking care of my skin and being more systematic. I start my day by washing my face with cold water, by adding the toner, serum and moisturiser and some natural concealer to conceal my impurities. I only cleanse my face at night before adding the resurrect serum. I also decided to limit my makeup to only use organic cosmetics during this time to avoid any extra “stress” on my skin. My starting point was that my skin felt dry (especially the forehead), tired and tight and that I had lots of zits and impurities on my cheeks.
Day 10
Alright, 10 days of only using Esse Skincare and I can tell that the skin on my forehead is not feeling as “tight” anymore. Even if I still have impurities and pimples I feel that my skin is starting to get deeply nourished (it’s almost as if this feeling of quenching a thirst you’ve had for a long time). I notice that I appreciate this new softness and find myself adding moisturiser even twice a day. It’s funny how I used to avoid oil based skincare as I thought it would create more impurities or clog my pores. That’s not the case with this protection oil at all and it leaves a very “light feeling” on my skin.
Day 20
It’s interesting what you notice when you become acutely aware of your skin. I can see some improvement in my impurities but the biggest difference is in the change of how my skin feels more hydrated. Using these products at this time of the journey has become a natural part of my day and almost like a ritual.
Pic: Johanna Keto Photography
Day 30
30 days went by quick, I guess it’s not hard to commit to a new program after all. Now I am very used to using all these products and I wouldn’t trade them for something else. The biggest change I can tell visually is that the skin looks healthier and not only feels but looks less “tired”. There are also less impurities which is amazing. The biggest difference I can is the level of moist that my skin now holds and it feels like the moist is not just on the surface, but deeper if that makes sense. I feel like when I used to cleanse my skin before it would always end up feeling dry and “thirsty”, this sensation is long gone and I can feel an actual texture change in my skin. I obviously. intend to keep going with this regimen.
Are you familiar with this line?
Whatever your skin concerns are I recommend starting with the 30 day kit, it’s an easy way to change your skin care regimen in one go.
ESSENTIAL OILS 101: Essential oils to balance your 7 chakras
In collaboration with Puhdas+ use code EVA25 to get -25% off
ESSENTIAL OILS 101: Essential oils to balance your 7 chakras
If you’re into natural wellness, surely at this point you must have stumbled upon essential oils. The world of essential oils is vast and can feel somewhat overwhelming with so many different oils and usages. I decided to create a guide, that can help you navigate through the world of essential oils, using the chakras (energy centers of the subtle body) as your map.
Before me dive into these, let’s cover the basics first. An essential oil is a concentrated liquid made from parts of certain plants like leaves, herbs, barks, roots, seeds and rinds into a concentrated oil through extraction. The idea is to capture the flavors, scents, and overall beneficial properties from the plants into potent oils than can be used topically.
You can use essential oils, well, for a variety of things including; aromatherapy, treating skin conditions, soothing muscle inflammation, headaches and so much more. Another lovely way to use essential oils is using a diffuser. I use the Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser from Puhdas+ and absolutely love it, as it acts both as a diffuser and a humidifier, and is perfect drier climates (such as Finland).
The easiest form of usage, is to simply apply a few drops of the oil in your hands, rub your hands together and then inhale the scent. Even though I root for natural products, please note that even natural substances can be irritating or cause allergic reactions. Like anything else you put on your skin, my recommendation is to test a little bit on a small area and see how your skin responds.
Some of my favourites from Puhdas+
Certain oils, such as rose, ylang ylang, lavender (my absolute favourite 😍) help you relax and are good to use before going to bed when you want to wind down. Peppermint oil is great for treating headaches and migraine attacks, whereas ginger oil can help ease discomforts of the stomach and bowel. Lemongrass oil serves as a natural repellent for mosquitos and insects. Essential oils can also be used to freshen up things like laundry. Like I mentioned in the beginning, there’s a myriad of ways you can use essential oils and to cover them all would probably take a book or two 😅, for that reason, I decided to approach the subject through the Chakra System. Below you will find my favourite oils and which chakra they relate to.
Root Chakra
This chakra governs stability, security, your primal needs and feeling grounded and connected to Mother Earth.
Color: Red
Location: base of the spine
Physical manifestation: kidneys, adrenals
Essential oils to activate/balance: cinnamon (my top pick), myrrh, patchouli, cedarwood
Sacral Chakra
This chakra is related to your emotions, sexuality, pleasure and sensuality.
Color: orange
Location: just below the belly button (by the reproductive organs)
Physical manifestation: reproductive organs
Essential oils to activate/balance: sweet orange, ginger, jasmine, ylang ylang, clary sage
Solar Plexus Chakra
This chakra is about our personal power, will and courage.
Color: yellow
Location: stomach
Physical manifestations: stomach (digestion), gallbladder, liver
Essential oils to activate/balance: lemon, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass
Heart Chakra
This chakra is the expression of love, compassion and joy.
Color: green (or a rosy pink)
Location: chest
Physical manifestations: heart, arms, hands
Essential oils to activate/balance: rose, lavender, bergamot, thyme
Throat Chakra
This chakra is governs our expression, truth, speaking up but also our ability to listen to others.
Color: blue
Location: throat
Physical manifestations: lungs, respiratory system
Essential oils to activate/balance: eucalyptus, palmarosa, camomile ginger, lemon
Third Eye Chakra
This chakra is our wisdom center, connecting to the unseen, our psychic abilities and intuition.
Color: indigo
Location: between eyebrows
Physical manifestations: eyes, head, lower brain, pituitary gland
Essential oils to activate/balance: clary sage, bay, peppermint
Crown Chakra
This chakra is about our connection to the divine (source), unity, giving us access to higher states of consciousness.
Color: white
Location: crown of the head (above the head)
Physical manifestations: brain, pineal gland
Essential oils to activate/balance: lavender, sandalwood, frankincense
Make sure to take advantage of this generous discount code from Puhdas+ use code EVA25 to get -25% off your purchase!
That’s all for now,
Best,
Eva
Pictures by Jonna Monola
10 ways to whiten your teeth naturally and my review of Blackwood by Splat 🖤🌲
Sponsored blog post by Splat
10 ways to whiten your teeth naturally and my review of Blackwood by Splat 🖤🌲
Ever since I was a little girl, I remember looking up to all the beautiful Hollywood stars with their gorgeous, perfect white smiles, thinking to myself; “geez, I want that too”. Having a radiant smile is contagious and I truly love these following quotes and find them to be true; “a smile is the prettiest thing you can wear” and “a smile is the most beautiful curve on a woman’s body”.
However, if you’re feeling insecure about your smile, smiling can even become a struggle, which is sad, since smiling actually boosts your immune system, because your whole body relaxes when you smile. Many feel hesitant to undergo laser treatments, which is understandable, but luckily there are ways to whiten and brighten your teeth naturally, without synthetic measures.
When I was asked to collaborate with Splat, I was very excited, since not only have I always aimed for a whiter smile, but I also love to choose natural, sustainable products and I try to be eco-conscious about my choices. This toothpaste happens to be made out of natural ingredients (up to 96% ), including activated charcoal from Karelian birch trees (which whitens effectively), natural menthol that refreshes your breath, and juniper extract (great for keeping your gums healthy). Oh, not to mention the product is completely cruelty-free and sustainable (happy dance 🕺).
Below, you will find my 10 top tips for whitening your teeth naturally, including my product review of the Blackwood toothpaste by Splat.
Blackwood by Splat 🌱🖤(including activated charcoal from Karelian birch trees): I’ve been using Blackwood by Splat for a couple weeks now, and in all honesty, even if I was excited to try it out, I was also a little suspicious in the beginning. The reason is that even if I do prefer natural products, not all of them work as well as conventional ones. Let’s take natural deodorants as an example 🙈 (side note, if you’ve found one that works, please holler at me).
Luckily, I was positively surprised with Blackwood. So, when I first started using the toothpaste, I was a little wary as the toothpaste is completely black. That being said, I was also intrigued and it felt very different from what I’m used and almost counter intuitive (who knew it would take the blackest toothpaste to make the whitest teeth). As soon as I started brushing my teeth, I was pleasantly surprised, as I immediately noticed the fresh scent and refreshing taste. I instantly liked the product and was happy and quite relieved actually (imagine to write a review for something you wouldn’t like 😅).
Probably the best thing about it was, that already after one single week, I started noticing a difference and felt that my smile was looking brighter. The more noticeable difference was after two weeks, when I felt that my teeth had actually turned brighter. In a nutshell: I absolutely recommend this product, because not only is it natural, sustainable and cruelty free- it actually does whiten your teeth when used consistently.
Practice oil pulling: Every morning for 20 minutes, swirl coconut oil in your mouth.
Brush with baking soda: Mix a tsp of baking soda with water and use it as toothpaste-let it sit on your teeth for 1-2 minutes.
Use hydrogen peroxide: Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide & water and swish this mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Use apple cider vinegar: Mix a ½ spoonful of vinegar with one glass of water. Rub your teeth with the mixture.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
Flossing (no, not the dance 😂).
Cleansing your tongue with a tongue scraper 👅: This will remove bacteria from your mouth, and help you maintain better overall hygiene in your mouth.
Strawberries 🍓: Crush the strawberry to a pulp, then mix it with the baking soda. Spread the mixture onto your teeth and leave on for 5 minutes, then brush thoroughly.
Last but not least, the obvious way: reduce 🚫: coffee ☕, tea, red wine 🍷, liquorice, and other foods that easily stain the teeth.
So, having a white smile, I think we can all agree upon, is something many of us strive after. And when you feel confident about your smile, voila, more reasons to smile! Make sure to check out my instagram post for a video review and follow Splat on instagram. Oh, and STAY TUNED as I will be hosting a giveaway soon where you can win a batch of the toothpaste (8 packages) a long with a YOGA MAT for you to practice home, so that you can take care of your body in a holistic way. Yay!
how it works:
🖤 Activated charcoal, the element that gives its black colour, naturally whitens, adsorbs odours, and removes stains, leaving your teeth spotless and perfectly clean.
🌱Juniper tree extract, a natural antibacterial ingredient, leaves you with fresh breath for a long time after toothbrushing.
My instagram: @evaestlander
Splat: @splat_nordics
If you live in Finland, you can find the toothpaste at your local S-markets & Prismas (incl. their web shop).
With a bright smile 💚,
Evita
xx
5 x 5: My Top Lists of gift ideas this Holiday season, my current favorite instagram accounts, beauty products and more...
5 x 5: My Top Lists of gift ideas this Holiday season, my current favorite instagram accounts, beauty products and more...
Everyone loves lists! Lists are a quick and easy way for our brains to gather information and make sense of things. Whenever we encounter new information, our brains immediately try to grasp wether or not this new piece of information is relevant for us. Just like you are currently assessing these lines that you’re reading. The process is instantaneous and we don’t even understand that we are constantly evaluating what we are seeing or reading. As we are continuously bombarded with images, headlines, news and texts, our attention span is nowadays extremely short and there’s something in numbers that make them pop out more than just the ‘normal’ headlines. Lists tap into our preferred way of receiving and arranging information at a subconscious level; they hit our attentional sweet spot. Cool, so now that you’re on board with lists, I’ve gathered a few for you to enjoy; everything from silly favorite beauty products to my favorite podcasts at the moment and so forth.
5 ideas for gift giving this Christmas that doesn’t involve buying more stuff (aka zero waste!):
Give a staycation: pick a nice hotel in the city and plan for a romantic getaway in your own home town/city (this gift idea is only for your partner duh)!
Give a massage session or session to a chiropractor or any other healing/bodywork or pampering gift!
Give a wine tasting course… I mean who wouldn’t benefit from a little extra knowledge other than always ordering that same ole Sauvingnon Blanc or Malbec…. 🙋🏼♀️
Give a yoga private/course or a one month yoga pass to their favorite yoga studio!
Give a floating experience!
My five fave podcasts at the moment:
The Goop podcast by Gwyneth Paltrow - from doctors to creatives, CEOs to spiritual healers, this is a good mix of it all.
Expanded by Lacy Phillips - Get your manifestation to the next level, no more unicorns, puppies and “only positive thinking”.
The Influencer podcast by Julie Solomon - If you’re in the marketing biz, there’s some useful tips and interesting convos.
Auta Antti! by Antti Holma (in Finnish) - In this hilarious and brilliant podcast the Finnish NY based actor answers to his listeners questions and the answers are not just funny, but actually very very wise. I almost pee myself as I laugh so hard.
Under the skin with Russell Brand - In this podcast Russel explores what's beneath the surface - of people we admire, of the ideas that define our time, of the history we are told.
5 tips for surviving winter in Helsinki
Embrace the season. It’s crazy how in our society things tend to speed up during Christmas with the year coming to an end, people run around like crazy. The problem is that at the same time people are tired, exhausted and stressed AF as naturally we feel like hibernating and sleeping in for longer. The reason is simple: we are not living in alignment with the season. Winter should be a time to slow down, cuddle up and get cozy with your woollen socks. This is literally the opposite of our modern society. So my very first tip is to cut out the unnecessary commitments. Make space for nothingness.
Yoga. Not a shocker here, but self-care goes a long way and especially during the darkest time of the year. If you’re not into yogi, then do your thing, whatever it might be (crossfit?). But exercising will give you well needed boost of feel good hormones (serotonin).
Get a sun lamp. Some people argue that this is going against the natural rhythm and season (and even my first tip). HOWEVER, some people get truly affected and depressed of the lack of day light and if you happen to be one of those people, there are luckily methods to counteract the darkness blues. I use mine in the mornings so that I have an easier time getting out of bed.
Pretend that you’re a tourist. Helsinki is a really nice city and there’s lots to do even in the winter time, so put your jacket on and go on a city stroll to Tuomaan marrkinat (market) and walk around and voila you’ll start to feel all jolly and fuzzy inside.
Decorate your home during the holiday. I swear, when we got a christmas tree last weekend everything felt a little better.
Being a tourist in my own home city is kind of nice.
5 Interesting & different instagram accounts worth following:
@connecting_consciousness : Mysticism, kind of out there, might be too much for the science loving instagrammer.
@chaninicholas : Astrology as its finest. Chani started learning about astrology at a very young age of 12 years and shares her wisdom on her feed.
@emotionalclub : Depression isn't funny, but dark humor sure is. This account is all about embracing the humor in everything, even depression.
@tobemagnetic : Lacy gets it. Her instagram is straight on and she cuts through the New Age ‘just think of something positive and you’ll attract it into your life’ BS.
@wat.ki : This feel good account follows the life of tho adorable dogs: Watson and Kiko along with their other animal friends.
My five favorite beauty regimens/products I am obsessed with right now:
Hydrating nutrient mist from Mad Hippie - I received this hydrating mist as a gift a long time ago on a retreat that I was co-hosting together with SurfYogaBeer and I just recently started using it. Now I use it every day and it really makes my skin glow like no other serum, cream or anything else I’ve tried in a loooong time.
Skinperfect primer by Dermalogica - I love the velvet texture and it smoothes out the fine little lines and uneven spots on my face.
My Simply Natural - hairbrush. I have hair is fine and gets easily super tangled, so this baby has helped a lot. Especially now with my long extended curls.
Oil pulling with coconut oil - this simple technique of swishing oil in your mouth improves not just your oral health, but your overall health as according to Ayurveda, all disease start in your mouth. I try to do this at least 3-5 times a week in the morning for about 15-20 minutes (which is annoyingly long), but it leaves my mouth feeling fresh and on top of all bleaches your teeth in a non harmful way.
My amethyst jade roller from Embrose - There’s been so much hype in the beauty world about face rolling and gua sha, I had toto try this out and I have to say, I do notice a different. My skin gets more plump and soft whenever I use the roller.
I’d love to hear some of your favorite podcasts or any other input you might have to my lists!
Happy Holidays!
xx
Eva
PS. Make sure to check out my upcoming events if you feel like you could benefit from some strechin’
Tuomaan markkinat by Senate Square in Helsinki. Image: Jonna Monola
