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Beauty starts from within with Hum Nutrition’s Alex Caspero

Beauty starts from within – we all know that a healthy inside leads to a radiant outside and we share in that same DNA positioning as one of our favorite vitamin company, HUM Nutrition. Backed by science and substantiated clinical results, we had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Caspero | HUM RD Nutritionist, to learn more about the pulse behind the brand and what we can learn about how to incorporate wellness into our lives.

A little bit about Alexandra Caspero MA, RD, CLT, RYT: She is the owner of Delish Knowledge and author of Fresh Italian Cooking for the New Generation. Her award-winning blog, Delish Knowledge, focuses on making whole-food, vegetarian eating deliciously simple. Alex is the co-founder of Plant-Based Juniors, an evidence-based platform that helps parents navigate the world of plant-based prenatal and pediatric nutrition. Additionally, she is the co-author of Joyful Eating, Nourished Life, which helps others discover a happier, healthier relationship with food and their body. 

 

HUM has made such a splash within the beauty and wellness industry. Can you tell us how it all started?

It all starts with our passionate co-founders, Walter and Chris. Walter used to struggle with acne and once he started working with a nutritionist, they got to the root of the problem and he cleared his skin! This inspired him to develop a line of vitamins with the best nutrients to deliver on specific goals: gorgeous skin, lustrous hair, and overall better health.

What’s your best-selling product and it is the same as your favorite product within the line? 

We have a few best-selling products and one of my favorites is a new product that launched this year, Skin Heroes. Unlike most probiotics on the market, Skin Heroes contains both prebiotics and skin-specific probiotic strains that help decrease breakouts, create an even texture and tone, and hydrate the skin. In an in-house study, 88% reported a decrease in breakouts and 81% reported an improvement in digestion. 

What can we expect from using HUM products? Is there an overall goal in mind when creating the products? 

Everything HUM creates is designed with the customers needs in mind. Most of the supplements are geared toward beauty concerns, whether that’s stronger, healthier hair, firmer skin, reduced wrinkles or glowing skin. As beauty starts from within, nutrition is often the first line of defense in common beauty concerns. Other products are designed for overall wellness: multivitamins, detox herbs, adaptogens and products that support digestion. 

What does your typical wellness and beauty routine look like?

I’m a beauty minimalist; I wear make-up only when I have a TV interview or want to dress up for date-night. Therefore, I need my bare skin to look it’s absolute best. I rely on Red Carpet, a GLA supplement from HUM that’s helps with overall skin tone and reduces any redness. I’m also predominantly plant-based and strive to eat a diverse plant-based diet. That means that I aim to keep a diet of mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans/lentils, nuts, seeds and healthy plant-based fats. I occasionally enjoy an ice cream cone and potato chips, but aim to eat this way most of the time. This diet pattern is not only amazing for gut health, but it also keeps my skin looking radiant. In addition to being a dietitian, I’m also a yoga teacher and find that meditation is my saving grace; it keeps me focused on what’s important and able to cut through a lot of the noise that can be very distracting. 

How do you Detox (tips/rituals)? 

I aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day and typically do a face mask 2-3 times a week. As I mentioned above, I also focus on diversity of plants in my diet which provides plenty of fiber. Eating enough probiotic-rich fiber helps keep my digestion system moving and rid of toxins naturally. If there’s one piece of advice I could give when it comes to nutrition is that most of us are not eating enough fiber. The average American only eats 14g of fiber, which is less than half of the recommended amount. Consider that 70-80% of your immune system lives in your gut, and fiber is needed for a healthy gut! 

What advice can you offer people trying to transition into a more healthy and clean lifestyle? Are there any tips that you can offer on specific foods to avoid or must-have products to incorporate into our diet/regimen? 

As a dietitian, I prefer to meet people where they are at. For the vast majority of my clients, they aren’t eating enough plant foods so typically, I start there. That usually feels like an easier ask of people and they get to decide how that looks like with their taste and food preferences. That may mean swapping in more whole grains instead of refined ones, cutting back on animal-based foods or a fruit and vegetable intake challenge. Consider that only 1 in 10 Americans eat enough of the recommended produce amounts, this is usually an easy place to begin. 

Feeling healthy also goes beyond just diet. Focusing on water intake, sleep, stress and relationships are all part of individual wellness.

 

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Real Women. Real Results.: Discover Ali’s Transforming Skincare Journey

For those of you who don’t know Ali Lizzi (aka LadyLentils), you need to now. Ali Lizzi is a New York City based freelance fitness, health and beauty writer and an active member of the fitness community. She is worldly, inspirational, funny, and speaks our language with wellness at the top of her world.

We had the pleasure of partnering with Ali on documenting her skin before Goldfaden MD and then after using a customized regimen after 4 weeks – see below for photos! Dive in deeper to get a full-rounded idea of her experience with using the products below.

Tell us about your current regimen before transitioning to the Goldfaden MD collection?

I always have cared about my skin. I always wanted to find products that are cruelty -free and work for my skin to give it it’s the healthiest glow, however, I never found an entire line that works for me. So it often led to me trying many new products all the time, trying to find the right match for me and I was just not seeing the results that I was promised.

What have you experienced in your time with using Goldfaden MD – how has your skin improved?

Since using Goldfaden MD, my skin has never been clearer, I have had maybe one or two spots the entire month of transitioning to only using these products, when usually I am breaking out multiple times in a week! My skin is also beginning to look more even. I have a few dark spots from past breakouts that limit me from going out make-up free. But since using Goldfaden MD, I have been going out in the world without makeup and feeling confident!

How do you practice sustainability?

Sustainability is very important to me in my life, I always use products that are cruelty- free and care about sustainable packaging. I make sure that when I buy products, I vote for sustainability with my dollar. I have cruelty-free transitioned all my produce to be purchased locally by making a weekly trip to the farmers market and have set up water filters throughout my house so that I can limit the amount of water bottles I use.

What are your favorite Eco-Friendly Products?

Goldfaden MD, of course! However I also love using swell bottles for my everyday water consumption since water is the number one key to a healthy life in my opinion. I also have fallen in love with sustainable clothing brands such as reformation and naadam.

What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness to me means balance. I find that if I make small changes to help the earth and myself, I feel my best. However, when I push myself to look at every part of my life and want to make a switch to a healthier, more sustainable life it can cause me stress. So, instead of being 100% healthy and eco-focused, I instead make small decisions that I know I can maintain. It’s all about balance.

Any advice for people wanting to make the switch towards a more mindful existence (increased wellness) but who are not sure where to start?

Start small and do your research. Figure out what area of wellness you are most passionate about and what you would be excited about sharing with others. When I first took on a plant-based diet, it was due to doing a TON of research and seeing how animals are being treated in factory farming and my heart could not align with participating in that, so for me it was easy for me to stick to that. From there, I learned more and more about what the earth needs for us to be healthy and made small changes over time. Just start with what you feel passionate about and the rest will come.

What are your go-to daily beauty products and why?

Sunscreen is my number one! Even if I spend the day inside doing work, I use a sunscreen that blocks from blue light. I also use Goldfaden MD Moisturizer about three times a day since I live in Miami and spend a lot of time in the sun and need a little extra moisture in my life. I also love using face oils, and hair oils. I like to keep things as natural as possible. But hydration and protection is the way to go for me.

Why is clean beauty important for you?

Clean beauty is just as important to me as eating clean, what goes on my body matters just as much as what goes in my body. Keeping it clean helps not only you, but the earth itself. I am always so thankful for what this world has brought me and want to do my part in giving back and taking care of it just like it takes care of me.

How do you de-stress?

If I’m having one of those days that everything has gone wrong, I put on a Ella Fitzgerald album and my stress just slips away. But, some CBD never hurts either 😉

Favorite mood-boosting meal?

I’m going to be honest, it’s not a veggie smoothie or a super healthy option, it’s a bowl of pasta. For me pasta reminds me of my family dinners that I had when I was younger, it reminds me that I don’t have to be focused on my health 24/7, it gives me the freedom to just enjoy and feel full of love. I always think whatever food reminds you of the people you love, or a memory you have surrounding food is always going to light up your heart.

What is your daily mantra?

“Love yourself, and spread that love to everyone you see today.” Be the light that the world needs, and that light always comes right back to you, karma is real folks.

Goldfaden MD Regimen: Before & After Shots:

Before

After
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TRAVEL SKINCARE TIPS: Understanding + Maintaining your complexion while you travel

Travel. Air travel, specifically. Every time you board a plane, you’re exposed to stale, crazy-dry, recirculated air, so even if you’re only taking an hour-long flight (lucky!), you end up with a significantly moisture-sapped, duller complexion when you land. And that’s not accounting for what happens on your actual vacation: using strange hotel beauty products, skin experiencing different water, forgetting your favorite sunscreen, and eating different foods.

We sat down with Dr. G to understand just exactly what happens to our skin and how to combat Jet leg from sinking in while we travel.

Does skin get ‘jet lagged’? How does it manifest?

Jet lag manifests itself in many different ways, both physical and mental. Think fatigue, bloating, insomnia, irritability, digestive issues, breakouts and general stress.

Jet lag, or desynchronosis, is a temporary circadian rhythm disorder that often occurs when a person travels across time zones. The body’s internal clock is disrupted, and major symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, bloating, anxiety, malaise, and emotional disturbances. 

When a traveler crosses a few time zones, the body uses natural cues like sunlight and an eating schedule to try and acclimate to the appropriate time. But because travel is disorienting for the physical body, it can take a few days before all the natural processes even out and become normalized. 

Jet lag is usually worse when moving from west to east because travelers lose hours of their day.

Why does skin suffer? Is the increased cortisol combined with reduced hydration for example?

Stressful security checks, unhealthy airport food options, omnipresent air conditioning, cabin pressure and dry air can wreak havoc on the most resilient complexions. Dehydration and bacteria are major factors here. If you’re prone to breakouts, touching bathroom doors and tray tables (full of germs) and then touching or rubbing your face can exacerbate acne, let alone make you sick. Always a good idea to pack antibacterial wipes and wipe down the areas you will be touching. If you feel ill before travel you may want to wear a mask to protect yourself and those around you.  

If you choose to sleep on a flight (or in the airport) it’s likely not high quality zzz’s. Rest is incredibly important for cell turnover and skin recovery—in fact, regeneration happens three times as fast while asleep.

Are there any ways we can prevent it before hand? Or lessen its impact during flight or afterwards?

Pre-flight:

A pre-trip plan is crucial when it comes to preventing jetlag. If time permits you can start the week before travel by starting to wake up a few hours earlier every day to get your body used to another time zone. This is probably best for time zones, which will be many hours ahead. If you choose to do this, use a light to stimulate your brain/melatonin levels when waking (as the sun will not be up yet).  Being hydrated before your flight is crucial. Try drinking a hydration multiplier powder to increase internal hydration. Going makeup free on the flight is also a good idea but make sure you are wearing an antipollution serum (Brightening Elixir) and heavy moisturizer or nourishing oil (Fleuressence Botanical Oil) to lock in moisture. 

Inflight:

Drink plenty of fluids (no alcohol or caffeine as they dehydrate the body and skin).  Try and rest and or sleep. Pack earplugs and a sleep mask to create a relaxing sleep environment. 

Post Flight: 

Wash your face very well and try a gentle peel. Our Fresh A Peel (lactic acid peel) will obliterate any dry skin or bacteria that may have happened as a result of air travel. Follow with a hydrating oil or rich night cream. 

If possible, try to book a flight that lands later in the evening at your final destination. Your goal is to basically get to sleep, as this is the best way to acclimate to a new time zone. If you arrive during the day, a light workout or walk outside in the sunlight will help set your internal clock on the time zone. 

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