Why I do what I do
Everyone's chemistry is different. Products that I am sensitive to might not bother someone else. Prior to 2011, there were very few things I was allergic to or that caused physical reactions. Yes, during the 80s when perms were the norm, the skin around my hairline would break out in a chemical burn (especially on the back of my neck). But as I did not understand allergies in my youth, I ignored it. Otherwise, I had the usual acne that came with being a teen, but that was it. Needless to say, I spent many years taking my clear skin for granted.
It wasn't until my thirties that I began suffering with full-body skin allergies (Eczema, Atopic and Allergic Contact Dermatitis). From 2009-2015, I worked around heavy metals, resins, and chemicals. After a contact burn to my hand in 2011, my skin began breaking out in large patches of dermatitis on my hands, neck and face, which eventually spread over my body the more I attempted to treat them. The patches were deeply cracked, red, flaky and blistered... which was highly unattractive. Doctor after doctor, and $1,000s after $1,000s in medical bills, they had no cure for me. I was losing faith in the medical industry as the Docs continued to prescribe more and more (and more) steroids rather than regiment an actual treatment. People became afraid to shake my hand due to my dermatitis. I felt like a leper with how awful my skin would breakout and knew I was damaging my immune system with the years of steroids. Every Doc told me that I needed to quit my job in order to make any progress. So in the summer of 2015, that's exactly what I did.
My Allery Testing…
After several months of conducting scratch and injection tests with minimal results, I visited a dermatologist in Bolingbrook who administered a five-day long contact test. She attached five different patches, each with ten possible allergens that I could not get wet. It made showering that week difficult but the results were eye opening at how many things my body reacted to.
Seeing the results from the contact patch test made me aware of how many household cleansers and cosmetics have hidden ingredients in them - that I did not realize I was using. Needless to say, I read all product ingredients now. I also understand why a well-known, blue dishsoap (my apologies to all of the cute baby ducks in their commercials) blisters and crack my hands when I use it. No prejudice towards the other soap colors, I just can't use products with blue dyes in them.
I enrolled in Aesthetics school so I might learn more about skin's physiology while finding the dermatologist who cared enough to do more extensive testing than my previous dermatologists. I also found an MD who taught me the healing potentials/properties of organic food and vitamins. With the education from my two new Drs, I began to learn my skin's triggers. Coupling that knowledge with Aesthetics schooling lead me to a new career.
It is because of my personal journey (and battle) with my skin that I want to help others live their best healthy-skin life. We all have flaws and deserve to feel beautiful with them! This is why I utilize multiple professional products along side foundational organic ingredients. My philosophy is to Feed Your Skin - as nature has a lot to offer.
Continuing Education
As an esthetician in Illinois, we have to take 'continuing education' classes to keep our license current. Along with local classes, I began taking skincare formulation classes in 2022, through a school located in the UK, called Formula Botanica. It was a wonderful experience to study & formulate with organic, plant-based ingredients that support my philosophy of 'feeding the skin' with natural nutrients.
