You may have noticed some recent updates to the Naturally Dah’ling site.  Included in those are the Sircuit Skin Crystal Creme Conditioner that I mentioned earlier this week, and Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Months ago owner Karen Behnke gave me a generous sample of the moisturizer. Recently I’ve pulled that sample out to use and simply cannot stop touching my face since–I just can’t believe how soft my skin is!

I am even more surprised that this light, easily absorbed cream with SPF is so smooth and silky.  Usually I find products with SPF to be heavier, or milky.  But not this little gem.

So when you do need that extra SPF protection, Juice’s Moisturizer w/ SPF is gluten-free and a great way to go!

Exciting stuff! I may have a new addition to place on Naturally Dah’ling tomorrow: Juice Beauty’s Oil Free Moisturizer.

Months ago I received some generous samples from Juice Beauty’s founder Karen Behnke at the Global Green Green and Gorgeous Event. While I did love my sample of the Hydrating Mist, I quickly realized that it contains “oat extract” so was unable to add it to my routine.

But the Oil Free Moisturizer was a wonderful light weight face cream which would be great for the summer and especially for men (sorry fellows, but technically speaking you have larger pores and more oily skin). I’ve e-mailed Karen to ask about the product’s Vitamin E and what it is sourced from.

I’ll keep you posted on the results!

A couple of months ago I spoke with a very kind representative of ELISA Tek, who sent me a sample of their EZ Gluten Test Kit to try out.  I was so excited to finally have a way to do my very own testing to ensure that the products I recommend on Naturally Dah’ling are absolutely gluten free.

Here is the first of what will be many videos to come demonstrating the use of ELISA Tek’s EZ Gluten Test Kit, a simple, effective way to test foods and products for gluten.  In this first video I tested Dr. Hauschka’s Natural Lipstick (which was previously verified gluten free via the Dr. Hauschka company). And was able to proudly confirm that yes, it really is gluten free!

Here’s my demonstration–and during the testing I really didn’t know which way the test would go!

So what ever became of my Dr. Hauschka skin care trial?  I fell completely off the wagon.  I do adore so many of Dr. Hauschka’s products, but in my hasty packing for a Thanksgiving trip, I only grabbed some samples of the 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm and knew that my brother would have plenty of Sircuit Skin products on hand at his place. 

My skin was immediately softer and more supple, leaving me infinitely grateful to be using the Healing Balm again.  I can see how the toner is a nice addition, and would’ve been good to have while travelling, but I did sneak a bit of my new Naturopathica Environmental Defense Mask along with me, and used that to spot treat any blackheads or spots. 

What surprised me the most, however, was when I saw my mom.  I hadn’t seen her since the summer, and her skin looked positively radiant!  My mom is nearing 60 and looks like she’s in her 40s, she absolutely has great genes, but her skin was different since I’d last seen her.  Her skin was soft and glowing, and I had to know how! 

Surprise!  Mom’s been using the 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm for the past few months.  She absolutely loves it, and was telling everyone at Thanksgiving who was willing to listen.

So all in all, I am back onto my regular skin care routine, though maybe I’ll give the Hauschka facial oil and toner another try. Either way, I adore Dr. Hauschka’s bronzer, mascara, eye liner and lipstick. And I’m sure he has plenty more amazing products to offer that I’ve yet to try.

Well, I am continuing my use of four of the five Dr. Hauschka products that I have been trying, but one, is sadly, already out for the count.

The Cleansing Cream is just not for me.  If you’re familiar with Jurlique’s Daily Exfoliating Cream, it is similar, though I actually prefer Jurlique’s.  The Cleansing Cream is a pasty consistency and is meant to be pressed into the skin to deeply cleanse while also exfoliating.  The issue is that I prefer a cleanser that a) also removes makeup b) goes a long way so I can also use it down into my decollage and c) can be used on the entire face which again, helps in removing makeup.  Plus, it contains wheat germ oil, which means, it’s probably not gluten free.

So I’ve moved on.  I am not trying the Sircuit Skin X-Trap Face Wash, which is a concentrated gel.  And to help remove all of the dirt and oil that’s built up, I am presently wearing my Environmental Defense Mask by Naturopathica.

I will continue to try out the Toner, Moisturizer and Facial Oil–until I simply can go no longer without my 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm, that is.  Seriously though, I do think there is something to using a toner and an oil.  Time will tell . . .

So I have been using the Dr. Hauschka products for a few days now, and I really don’t have an results yet. Each day I hope that my skin is less oily, and perhaps it is a bit, though I may simply be hoping for it to be less oily.  My skin looks good, though I am not sure whether it is improved, slightly less radiant than before or just the same.

I do miss my regular face wash, the Seafoam cleaser, it foams so nicely, the Dr. Hauschka Cleasing Cream is just not the same.  The concepts of using a daily toner and facial oil do intrigue me, and could become staples of my routine. 

One  aspect of the Hauschka philosophy continues to trouble me: they believe that because cell regeneration happens overnight no skin products should be applied to go to sleep.  Night time regeneration is no new concept, that I fully believe in.  But then, if not at night, when am I to use my anti-agers?  And even more confusing, I just received a mail sample of a new Dr. H repair product, to be used at night.  Hmmm.  This is all so confusing.

Yesterday was very exciting, I recorded a YouTube video as I tested my Dr.Hauschka Lipstick
for any traces of gluten using ELISA’s EZ Gluten Test Kit.  The test kit is so easy to use, and detects as little as 10 parts per million.

Representatives at Dr. Hauschka had previously confirmed that the product contains no gluten, but because as little as one milligram of gluten per day can prevent intestinal healing, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  The most exciting part of the process was that as I was testing, and filming, I did not know for certain how the test would come out.

It was a successful negative, the Dr.Hauschka Lipstick is absolutely safe for those with celiac and gluten intolerance!

Here is my link to the video:

Dr. Hauschka Natural Lipstick: Is It Really Gluten Free?

I have learned by now that one product line is not always the best answer. But still, Holiday gift packs and discounted sets often do start reeling me in. As do sample bags filled with products recommended specifically for my skin after a free consultation.

As I left the house yesterday I felt quite good about the state of my completely make-up-less skin. I opted to forego even a swift application of mascara or concealer in order to demonstrate to the esthetician my skin in it’s most natural state. My tried and true product routines have done me well, I have discovered a few new masks for deeper cleansing, and I really have no complaints. So when I sat down with an esthetician from Dr. Hauschka as we formulated my ideal Dr. H skin care routine, everything sounded hope-filled and wonderful, but I still came home questioning whether I really can achieve all that I want with just one product line.

Last night I began my new system, and this morning was eager to continue this new routine. Here is what I am using:
Lavender Bath
Cleansing Cream
Facial Toner
Moisturizing Day Cream
Normalizing Day Oil

I am told that the oil will train my T-zone to stop producing excess oils throughout the day.  And that the toner–a product I often forego, is quite essential to balancing the PH levels of the skin post-cleansing.

I will certainly keep you posted on my progress.

For my articles and blogs on Celiac.com I have researched extensively, quoting doctors and other publications.  So here are my answers:

The average woman absorbs 30 pounds of the ingredients contained in moisturizers over sixty years (SOURCE: DR. HAUSCHKA)

The body’s digestive system is designed to filter out impurities, but the skin, the body’s largest organ, absorbs up to 60% of what is put on it straight into the bloodstream. (SOURCE: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)

The Federal Drug Administration has banned only nine personal care ingredients in the past 67 years, yet the European Union has outlawed 450. (SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP)

Laboratory tests have shown that teen girls across America are contaminated with chemicals that are most commonly found in cosmetics and skin care products. The Environmental Working Group found 16 chemicals from 4 toxic chemical families - phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks - in the blood and urine samples from all 20 of the teen girls tested. (SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP)

“Gluten sensitivity (celiac disease and gluten intolerance) is a systemic immune reaction to gluten anywhere in the body, not just that entering the body via the gut. Therefore, topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, etc. containing gluten would indeed provide a source of gluten to the body, and we therefore recommend all such products be discontinued for optimal health.” (SOURCE: DR. KENNETH FINE)

“I would recommend that all topical products such as shampoos, lotions and creams be gluten-free (although others may not agree with me).” (SOURCE: DR. CYNTHIA RUDERT)

“Check your shampoos, check your make-ups.  You call the companies and ask them, get very clear, if you are a celiac (or gluten intolerant) patient you go the extra distance and you ask them: do they use any gluten or wheat in their products . . . Just one milligram of gluten is all it takes to prevent the body from healing.” (SOURCE: DR. THOMAS O’BRYAN)

Ultimately, the choice is yours; I just aim to arm you with some good, educated arguments towards change for the betterment of your personal health. 

Day to Night Eyes: Gluten Free and Natural Makeup