Why don’t you use essential oils?

Because they are essentially toxic due to their severe concentration, and the only scientifically proven benefit of essential oils is aromatherapy, but you have to be careful there because your lungs will protest them if they inhale too much or for too long. NEVER INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS! Whether in teas or tinctures under your tongue, don’t do it! When I use them, it’s only for shampoo because they do not stay on your skin long enough to damage it.

Do expensive facial cleansers work better than cheap ones?

It depends. For facial cleansers, you really want to focus on not stripping your skin dry, which is why you shouldn’t use regular soap on your face (facial skin is more delicate and always exposed to the elements). Cleansers are not on your skin long enough for expensive ingredients to penetrate your skin! Sometimes, I just use a wet washcloth when my face isn’t that dirty. You can also use oils like coconut or jojoba to cleanse your face every day. When I have make up or sunscreen on, I will use a cleanser or reusable make-up remover like Clean Sponge. If you dry out your skin, it will get damaged more easily and over-produce oil if you’re skin is naturally oily (like mine).

What do you think of products that claim to have collagen in them?

Collagen molecules are too large to pass through the skin barrier. Collagen peptides are being used now, but the efficacy is questionable. We lose collagen naturally as we age, but you can slow that down by eating a healthy diet, using sunscreen, not smoking, drinking water and taking care of your skin. Smoking, alcohol consumption, sun exposure and eating too much sugar (this is my problem) are all collagen killers. There are oils that can help your skin produce collagen itself, which I use in products, but prevention is key. Also, there are no vegan sources of collagen, but scientists are working on it.

How do you know all this? Are you an expert?

No, not at all, but I do A LOT of research and read a lot of scientific studies and pay no mind to popular opinions or advertising manipulation. I always seek the truth. One thing I can tell you is that there is no “miracle balm” that will fix all your skin problems or make you look like you’re 15 when you’re 50. Keep in mind that it is perfectly natural to age, let’s just focus on healthy skin and feeling good about your appearance.

Personally, I inherited bad skin and grew up in the desert without being taught about the importance of sunscreen until later in life after the damage was already apparent; my mom had zero vanity and didn’t have a beauty or skin care routine, so I didn’t grow up with that in mind. I do now, though