We’ve all heard that we are what we eat, been in discussions about which food lifestyle is the best, what to eat, what not to eat, dizzied about in stores searching through labels and unfamiliar ingredients, and let’s just say it’s a gauntlet out there.

When it comes to feeling and looking good while doing right by animals and our environment, it’s easy to overlook some key aspects for wellness. Just as with skincare, how and what we eat affects our internal and external wellness directly.

Whether you’re subscribing to a lifestyle that is keto, vegan, vegetarian, or none of those, each choice can be rife with pitfalls. For example, the compassionate goal of vegan or vegetarian eating does not, unfortunately, guarantee a well-nourished, well-balanced body.

What to watch out for:

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

🌱 Because this nutrient is found in animal products, vegetarian, and, even more so, vegan diets are at higher risk for deficiency especially when combined with the factor of aging which affects the body’s absorption ability. 

🌱 What does B12 do?  DNA synthesis to replace old cells with new ones, forms red blood cells to bring oxygen throughout the body, supports nervous system functioning, and supports energy metabolism

🌱 Body symptoms: headaches, fatigue, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, mood fluctuation, and anemia

🌱 Skin symptoms: Pale or discolored skin, darkening of elbows, knees, knuckles, and dry or wrinkled skin

🌱 A few good alternative sources for B12: Nutritional yeast and dried shiitake mushrooms. Consider well-researched supplements to support your diet.

We know that plant-based does not always mean safe and healthy. Often vegan foods are ultra processed using dangerous chemicals and food coloring that work around FDA exposure limitations and are flat out banned in other countries around the world.  Chemical additives that are used in paint, varnish, cosmetics, byproducts of gasoline refining cause a list of harm that is lengthy and horrific, to say the least. Steer very clear of these common harmful ingredients (among others) in vegan meat.

🔎 Tertiary butyl-hydroquinone (E319) - immune system depressant, exacerbates asthma symptoms and allergic skin dermatitis in some individuals. Studies have suggested carcinogenic effects. 

🔎 Hexane - linked to neurological symptoms such as dizziness, headaches. Considered a neurotoxin.

🔎 Erythosine (Red #3, E127) - potential thyroid disruptor and preliminary evidence of hyperactivity effects in children

Once you’ve looked into labels and chosen your balanced meals there’s an important, easily overlooked step 2. Psychology.

These days it’s a common state of affairs to eat on the go, often times not even remembering what we ate or how it tasted. Mindless eating has led to poor eating behavior such as overeating, emotional eating, symptoms of a loss of awareness of giving the body what it needs.

The attention and intention given to the process of eating has been shown to directly affect well-being over centuries and across cultural practices. Mindful eating increases awareness of food choice, gratitude for the meal, and helps the body and mind process nourishment. This level of attention encourages chewing well, which in turn helps digestion, promotes proper portions, and builds healthier relationships with food and body image.

Other considerations:

Eating food in season

🍅 Seasonal fruit and vegetables are often harvested at their peak ripeness, which means they are more likely to be nutrient-dense and flavorful. When produce is allowed to ripen naturally on the vine or tree and is not subjected to long-distance transportation or extended storage, it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

🍅 Buying food that is in season and locally grown supports local farmers and strengthens the local economy. It allows farmers to earn a fair price for their crops and encourages the preservation of farmland and agricultural traditions in the community. The need for long-distance transportation is minimized as well as the environmental impact associated with the production, packaging, and distribution of food. It also encourages sustainable farming practices and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels.

🍅 Cooking your own food allows control over ingredients, healthier cooking methods, and increased awareness and connection to the process. Sharing a meal is a great way to bond with loved ones and create lasting memories.

🍅 Bright colors in food often indicate the presence of various nutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that are beneficial for digestive, eye, and skin health. Plus, it’s art on a plate.

The ever-present grind makes mindfulness and research difficult to keep up with but the investment is an important one as we strive to look and feel our best. Access to knowledge and resources is the first step and as we learn, we share, paying it forward in community and love.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺

Ingredient source transparency and integrity is a key issue in the skin care space, one with battles that lead companies large and small to cut corners and make sacrifices on their principles for profit. The tide of ignorant consumer decision-making is turning with more and more demand for clarity and accountability when it comes to ingredients and practices. The clean beauty movement whereby consumers make purchases that reflect their values, has sparked the need for reparation of the consumer/company relationship. 

The research

In 2020 Bazaarvoice, a consumer shopping network and Influenster, a social shopping platform interviewed 24,000 women worldwide about their shopping priorities for clean beauty products. They found that two thirds sought more transparency in their clean beauty products. 61% of participants felt products used “clean” vaguely and more interestingly, only 1% relied on brand advertising for information about clean beauty or product ingredients and sought out information elsewhere. In short, it’s clear that brand distrust is heightened and consumers seek reassurance in transparency.

While it’s true that the industry is nowhere near clearly defined standards and definitions of what is clean, natural, and organic, steps toward this shared goal can be taken by engaging authentically with consumers and staying true to stated principles. A key piece of this effort to move the industry in the right direction is the sense of relationship with consumers that forges trust and shared goals, upholding personal responsibility on both ends to invest in and create improvement in health and in the skin care industry.

To this end at Ellovi we keep to minimal ingredients and well-vetted suppliers, while maintaining a healthy connection from start to finish with every product we make. Integrity within ourselves, and our relationships infuses what we create and share with you.

What do we look for in our suppliers? Alignment in values

Our suppliers and their facilities conduct regular third party testing and hold certifications and technical documentation accessible for the below standards: 

• Certified Organic
• Certified Fair Trade
• Certified Kosher
• Certified Vegan
• Cruelty-Free
• ECOCERT Verified
• FDA-registered

Setting the bar high for responsible creation and consumption is a commitment that takes study and steadfastness, an undertaking of cause and effect, demonstrating interconnectedness. We’re here as a point in the evolving constellation of the clean beauty movement, we’re here for the journey toward health and peace of mind with you.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺

The scent of Frankincense brings forth images of ribbons of slowly ascending smoke, centered, deep breathing, flickering candle light and glowing skin.  This ancient ingredient, mentioned in ceremonial, medicinal, and spiritual practice dating back thousands of years in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, has withstood the test of time as an ingredient widely lauded by dermatologists and consumers. 

A highly sought after luxury, Frankincense trade flourished, considered by ancient civilizations to be as expensive as gold. Through the years knowledge of its uses waxed and waned, buried under the passing of time. Of late, the oil has become more and more widely known once again, inspiring us to learn about origins, sources, and benefits. 

Benefits

• Aromatherapeutic - as a widely used oil for spiritual practices throughout history, the earthy, warm scent brings about a sense of groundedness and mindfulness. Many have reported an impact on anxiety as well as sleep quality.

• Skin Irritation - calming properties of boswellic acid, a natural ingredient in this oil, ease discomfort from itchy, red skin

• Muscle Recovery - when used as an after workout massage application or to alleviate aches and pains generally

• Skin Health - intensely hydrating and healing properties do wonders for skin elasticity, pigmentation, scarring, and stretch marks. As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial promoter, this oil protects against pore clogging and oil build up. Frankincense promotes the creation of collagen in skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Hair Health - Frankincense combined with carrier oils can strengthen hair follicles to improve shine and bounce and promote scalp health to reduce hair loss. 

This mythological turned real essential oil has had a rich and varied reach throughout the ages. With safe application through carrier oils and responsible sourcing, the introduction to using Frankincense routinely for skin, hair, and aromatherapy can reconnect us to our internal health, to the natural world, and to the strong foundations of ancient wisdom.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺