From a debilitating MS diagnosis to creating wildly fresh skincare
Our founder Natalie, the Skincare Chef, has been successfully reversing her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis since being carried into the hospital by her husband unable to walk or talk in 2014. Natalie began studying the power of superfoods and probiotics for the body. Radically changing her life, she immediately adopted a clean eating and clean living lifestyle. Today Natalie has fully regained her health and has made it her mission to share the importance of REAL food and CLEAN skincare.
Meet our founder, Natalie
"July 2nd, 2014 lying in the ER, unable to walk or talk I was handed the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis(MS).
MS is an incurable, unpredictable, often disabling autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system disrupting the flow of information within the brain, and thus the body. The cause of MS is still unknown. It affects 2.3 million people worldwide.β Find out more about MS here.
From my best guesstimate, I have been sharing the real estate in my head with MS since the year 1999, right after the birth of my second child. Then in my mid 40's, the progression and effects became full-blown, my former life began to crumble and enormous amounts of pressure and stress began to build within my body. Isolated, sick and feeling helpless I decided to change my story.
After intense research, I came to the conclusion that toxins in my life and the very food I was eating contributed greatly to my illness. Three days after my diagnosis I began treating my MS with a real whole food, toxic-free lifestyle bypassing all conventional drugs. Within 3 days of purging chemical laden foods from my life, I began feeling better and my symptoms began to dissipate. Energy began to return to my once broken and lifeless body, needless to say, I was inspired and on a mission to reverse my MS!
Now understanding the power of a toxic-free lifestyle, organic clean skincare was quickly proving to be one of the hardest to replace as many well-known brands are loaded with chemicals, preservatives, and fragrances to name a few. So, my mission became clear to formulate and produce my own organic, toxic free skin care line that was luscious, nutritious and fed my skin beautiful.
Be Well Skincare was launched in May 2017.
Now in my 50's, I am thriving and absolutely loving the skin I am, and I am so excited to share be well with you. After all, what we feed our skin is just as important as what we feed our bellies"
Love + Be Well,
Founder | CEO Be Well Company
Love + Be Well believes...
Living starts with simply getting back to the basics, our roots, fueling our bodies the way they were designed to function, on real food.
Feeding our skin is just as important as feeding our bodies. After all, the skin is the largest organ we have making up 60% of our body!
There is no room in skincare for parabens, preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, dyes, or any other ingredients you do not recognize. If you donβt recognize it, neither will your body.
You should recognize each and every ingredient in your organic skin care product. that is why we have taken the time to list every single ingredient, their origin, and therapeutic benefits.
All humans should have the opportunity to live a toxic free, clean lifestyle with just a little knowledge and know how.
Embracing the skin you're in at every age is is our goal for everybody. Feeling beautiful, confidant and healthy is easy when using be well superfood skincare.
From the Be Well Blog
Radiant Summer: Natural Skincare Tips to Feed Your Glow
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As the warm embrace of summer beckons, it's time to revamp your skincare routine and embrace the radiance of the season. Say goodbye to dull, tired skin and hello to a luminous summer glow with these natural skincare tips that will nourish and rejuvenate your complexion from the inside out.
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- Hydration is Key: With the sun shining bright, it's crucial to keep your skin hydrated. Opt for lightweight, water-based moisturizers containing natural ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, or hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture without clogging pores. Don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from within.
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- Sun Protection, Naturally: Shield your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays with natural sunscreens that contain mineral ingredients like non nano zinc oxide. Look for broad-spectrum formulas with an SPF of 30 to ensure comprehensive protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and seeking shade during peak sun hours to further protect your skin.
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- Exfoliate Gently: Buff away dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, glowing complexion by incorporating gentle exfoliation into your skincare routine. Opt for natural exfoliants that gently slough away dead skin without causing irritation. Limit exfoliation to 2-3 times per week to avoid over-exfoliating, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to sensitivity.
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- Nourish with Antioxidants: Combat free radical damage and protect your skin from environmental stressors with antioxidant-rich skincare products. Look for serums or moisturizers containing ingredients like vitamin C, eating berries, leafy greens, and nuts, which help to brighten the skin, fade dark spots, and promote a youthful complexion.
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- Cooling Facial Mists: Keep your skin refreshed and revitalized throughout the day with a cooling facial mist. Opt for products infused with soothing ingredients like rosewater, probiotics, and aloe, which help to calm inflammation, hydrate the skin, and provide instant relief from the summer heat.
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- Embrace Natural Oils: Incorporate lightweight facial oils into your skincare routine to lock in moisture and enhance your skin's natural radiance. Choose non-comedogenic oils like jojoba, argan, or rosehip seed oil, which absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Apply a few drops to damp skin after cleansing to seal in moisture and leave your complexion glowing.
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- Mindful Makeup Choices: Opt for lightweight, breathable clean makeup formulas that allow your skin to breathe in the summer heat. Look for mineral-based foundations and tinted moisturizers that provide coverage without clogging pores, and choose sheer, dewy finishes for a natural, luminous glow.
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By incorporating these natural skincare tips into your summer routine, you can nourish your skin from within, protect it from the sun's harmful rays, and unleash your inner radiance for a summer season filled with glowing moments. So, slather on that sunscreen, hydrate like it's your job, and embrace the sunshine with confidence and glowing skin!
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Hyaluronic Acid: The Secret Ingredient Your Skin Craves
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Hey there, skincare enthusiasts! Are you ready to unlock the secret to glowing, hydrated skin? Look no further than hyaluronic acid - the must-have ingredient your skin is craving. This powerhouse molecule is here to revolutionize your skincare routine and give you that coveted dewy complexion. Say goodbye to dry, dull skin and hello to a radiant, youthful glow.Β
The Power of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that plays a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration. It has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an essential ingredient for plump, hydrated skin. As we age, our skin's natural hyaluronic acid levels decrease, leading to dryness and loss of elasticity. By incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine, you can replenish your skin's moisture levels and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
One of the key benefits of hyaluronic acid is its ability to hydrate the skin without clogging pores or feeling greasy. This makes it suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid also has anti-aging properties, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by plumping and firming the skin. Additionally, its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for calming redness and irritation.
How to Incorporate Hyaluronic Acid into Your Skincare Routine
There are many ways to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine. It can be found in serums, moisturizers, and even sheet masks. For best results, apply hyaluronic acid after cleansing and toning, but before heavier products like moisturizers or oils. This will allow the hyaluronic acid to penetrate the skin and lock in moisture effectively.
So, if you're looking to achieve that coveted dewy complexion and say goodbye to dry, dull skin, look no further than hyaluronic acid. Your skin will thank you for it!
Five Hygienic Habits you NEED to Update Right Now
After some-odd years of life, you probably think, βhavenβt I got this all figured out?!β. Erm, maybe not. Sure, youβre washing your hands and brushing your teeth, but weβre not talking about the basics. In this labyrinth of cleanliness, weβre breaking down your bathroom door, invading your makeup bag, and even sneak-peaking that messy drawer. So, are you ready to take a deep (disinfected) breath and roll up your sleeves? Well grab your sanitizer! Here we go!
Cleansing with regular body washΒ
Standard body wash smells and lathers up amazingβno question about it! Just one problem though: weβre soaking up the good as well as the bad! Basic drugstore body washes serve a toxic buffet of chemicals: parabens, perfumes, alcohol, sulfates, etc.Β
Instead, opt for an organic artisanal soap. Crafted with plant-based nutrients and skin-balancing probiotics, it hydrates and cleanses skin, leaving it butter-soft and fresh!Β
Using dirty makeup brushesΒ
As one of the most common bathroom no nos, dirty makeup brushes are the crΓ¨me-de-la-crΓ¨me of hygienic mishaps! Think about the amount of microbial grime that festers in our brushes. Bacteria, oil, dirtβsometimes even fungi (ew!)βthese are the culprits coating our skin in filth!Β
To prevent breakouts, we must cleanse our makeup brushes every two weeks with organic plant-based soap and warm water. And be sure to blow dry them to prevent mold from growing in the wet bristles.Β
Extra tip: As a side note, remember to cleanse your phone screen regularly too (for the same reason).Β
Leaving dry shampoo in your hairΒ
Every lazy girl who loves fluffy hair swears by dry shampoo. We get it! As a one-day shortcut, this option is fineβBUT not as a daily hair hack for more volume!Β
Dry shampoo accumulates on the scalp, blocking the hair follicles which can stunt growth overtime. Weβre better off settling for a couple days of flat, semi-greasy hair than clogging our roots with this chalky residue!Β
Using basic deodorant
Having blossom-fresh pits is a peace of mind. Sure. However, with standard deodorants, that waft of perfume under your arms comes from toxic chemicals like alcohol and aluminum. Meanwhile, this gunk doesnβt only block our sweat glands, it also contains drying ingredients which irritate our under arms.Β
For a healthier route to breezy-clean pits, go for a plant-based deodorant. And no, this isnβt a hipster hygiene hack for naturalists who donβt mind extra BO. Read our article on the perks of plant-based deodorants to learn more!Β
Creating scented bathsΒ
For the same reason we donβt use standard deodorants, we donβt take dips in candy-scented bubble bathsβone word: toxic! These standard aromatic formulas contain phthalates, alcohols and other hard-to-pronounce nasties.Β
So skip the standard bath soaps and instead opt for Dead Sea salt. Enriched with 21 skin-loving minerals, it helps calm and nourish your skin, while turning your tub into a floaty aquatic escape youβll love repeating!Β
Hygiene isnβt just about forest-crisp scents or the appearance of purityβafter all, looks can be deceiving. And this includes other naughty habits: the 'five-second-rule' food pickups, neglecting the 'behind-the-ear' clean, or keeping that mascara for decades. Ultimately, hygiene is more than a choice, itβs a lifestyle.
From the Be Well Kitchen
Immune Boosting Massaged Kale Salad
Immune Boosting Massaged Kale SaladΒ
I've been making some variation of this massaged kale salad since my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis July 2nd, 2014. It never gets old and can varied so greatly with ingredients and dressings. This version is all healthy fats, a rainbow of raw veggies, tons of immune boosting properties bursting with flavor! I highly recommend investing in an immersion blender for your kitchen, it makes whipping up dressing a cinch. I choose organic ingredients and local whenever possible to avoid glyphosate, a known toxin sprayed on fruits and veggies, to reduce circulating pesticides in the blood. I feel this is one of the most important things we can do to support a healthy clean living lifestyle.
It's worth noting, if you are healing your gut eating a bunch of raw veggies can cause bloating so you may want to start with more cooked veggies until your gut begins to heal. You can sautΓ© the kale in avocado oil with the garlic, onion and seasonings. Maybe adding a touch of bone broth, followed by the beets, cauliflower, and avocado. Drizzle some of the dressing, sprinkle with seeds and a dollop of sauerkraut.Β
This recipe will serve 2 people
Dressing Ingredients:
1/4 EVOO
1/2 Fresh Lemon juiced
2 Garlic cloves
1 Tbls Tahini
1-2 tTbls Nutritional yeast
S+P
Pinch Dried Chili flakes
How To:
Place all ingredients into a mason jar and whizz it up with an immersion blender. No immersion blender? Through into your regular blender. Add a splash of water to get the desired consistency.
Bowl Ingredients:Β
6 cups chopped Kale
1 cup Curry roasted cauliflowerΒ
1/4 cup Red Onion
1/2 Cucumber
1/2 Avocado
Cooked Beets ( I love the ones precooked from Love Beets)
1/4 cup Sauerkraut
Raw Pumpkin + Walnuts
How To:
Place your kale in a large bowl and pour your dressing in. Using your hands, get in there and massage the kale distributing the dressing and starting to break down the fibers of the kale. The kale will begin to shrink, keep going until you have massaged it until it is reduced by half.
Next toss in your other ingredients and ENJOY!
This salad can be made ahead by massaging the kale less and placing. in a mason jar and layering the ingredients in, seal tight. Should last well in the fridge for a few days!
Options to add:
Egg
Quinoa
Salmon
Chicken
Olives
Kimchi
Brussels
Tomatoes
Peppers
Chickpeas
The Skincare Chef current go-to breakfast π©π»βπ³
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The Skincare Chef current go-to breakfast π©π»βπ³
*all organic
Ingredients:
1 cup grass fed yoghurt
1 tbl almond butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbl flax seed oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbl maple syrup
Chopped apples
Blueberries
Unsweetened coconut shreds
Flax seed
How to:
Mix first 6 ingredients then top with the last 4. Enjoy!
Flax Seed Skin Benefits:
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help maintain skin hydration and elasticity.
- Contains antioxidants that may help fight against free radicals and reduce signs of aging.
- Flax seeds are high in lignans, which possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially soothing irritated skin.
- The high fiber content aids in detoxification, promoting clearer skin.
- Consumption or application of flaxseed oil may alleviate symptoms of certain skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Let us know if you try it!
Love + Eat Well
The Best Curried Tuna Salad
Β Looking for the best curried tuna salad recipe? Look no further! Our delicious and flavorful recipe will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Give it a try and let us know what you think!