Skin, Hair & Nails

If there’s one thing most of us can agree on when the weather starts to cool, it's that our skin gets really dry. We probably start to slather on moisturizer and apply copious amounts of lip balm, but did you know that dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same thing? In fact, dry skin is a condition people have or a skin-type and is something that requires more long-lasting treatment, while dehydrated skin is due to temporary weather and environmental factors. Who knew?

Every year there seems to be a multitude of health and wellness trends that emerge. In fact, there are so many trends out there, it can sometimes be tough to keep them all straight let alone know what each one entails. Two health and wellness trends that have grown quite popular over the past few years are the use of collagen peptides and the Keto Diet. Whether you’ve never heard of them before or are familiar with each, but need a refresh, here is everything you need to know about collagen peptides, the Keto Diet and how you can enjoy them together.

The cold and dry winter months can be a nightmare for lush, healthy skin if you don’t know how to hydrate and nourish on the outside and even more importantly, within. We have all experienced the chapped lips, flaky skin, and cracked hands and feet when we don’t take care of our skin in the winter. That is why we begin moisturizing, being more diligent with conditioners and night creams and rationing harsh beauty products for the sake of shiny locks and a fresh face. Using a rich face cream, oil-based body lotions, leave-in conditioning treatments and therapeutic chapstick are all great steps to take, but they don’t heal the skin and hair. They treat and mask symptoms of dryness. The only way to keep your skin and hair healthy all season is to treat it from the inside. Winter Hair Care There are many things you can do to protect your hair from drying, split-ends, breakage and hair loss this winter. First start by looking at your products. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleaches and excessive heat. It’s actually better to do less to your tresses, shampoo less often to avoid flakes and itching, style less strictly, don’t brush wet hair or pull it back in a ponytail or your towel. Try to let it dry naturally and completely before going out in the cold. If time doesn’t permit in the mornings, wash your hair at night. To shampoo less often, opt for a dry shampoo for the in between maintenance. Use a heavier conditioner and pair it with a leave-in. For more moisture control, use an oil-based treatment at least once a week. Now you know how to treat the symptoms, but how do you keep it from ever getting damaged to begin with? Proper nutrition and supplements! The secret to a strong, thick, nourished mane starts within as the roots are fed a large variety of vitamins and nutrients. The key components to perfect hair are biotin (B7) and collagen. Collagen breaks down in our bodies after the age of 25, so we need to encourage greater production to maintain youthful hair, nails and skin. A healthy diet could supply your body with enough biotin, but to be on the safe side choose a biotin supplement that can support your hair this winter. Terra Origin Healthy Beauty will supply all the biotin you need along with collagen, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and Horsetail for all around winter hair protection! Winter Nail Care You many not think of your nails much in terms of changing up your routine for cold weather care, but they can chip and peel just like our skin. Nails don’t breathe or eat, but they do have to retain a certain amount of oil to stay strong and smooth. The dry air and possible exposure to ice, snow and water can cause an imbalance in the natural oils, so you need to protect them. This tip isn’t just for the ladies. Keep a topcoat on your nails; clear or colored polish will do the trick. The next piece of advice will do wonders for both your hands and your nails, lotion, lotion, lotion! Keep it in your bag, at your desk, in the car, by your bed. Every time you get your hands wet, apply more cream. Working, going in and out of the dry, cold air, more cream. This will moisturize your nails and your cuticles, not to mention your hands. Keep up your standard nail maintenance as well like regular filing, cuticle oil, completely cleaning off old polish before applying new and of course wear gloves for all occasions, washing dishes, scraping ice and having a snowball fight. That covers outside care, but what do your nails need from the inside? We return to biotin and collagen. This B vitamin is essential for healthy cell growth and the breaking down of protein-building aminos that our nails use for healthy growth cycles. Collagen is the building block of strong nails and is necessary for structure and growth. We also need B12, folate, iron, magnesium, zinc, omega-3s and enough protein to keep up with keratin production. Add in a daily protein boost like Terra Origin Grass-Fed Whey Protein powders or the Healthy Plant Protein powders. Winter Skin Care Our skin may take the harshest hit during dry, cold winters and rapid temperature fluctuations as the blood vessels constrict attempting to hold in body heat. This causes skin to appear lackluster and begin to dry out or worse flake and split. Start with your daily cleanser and make sure it is free of alcohol and adds in hydration. Light cleansers and even soap free options are great to switch to during the winter. This tip isn’t just for your face. Get a moisture rich body wash as well and avoid drying soaps for head to toe protection. Remember to full body moisturize as well. Opt for oil-based body creams to keep the moisture trapped in the skin and a face cream with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Try to apply a face sheet mask or ultra-rich moisturizing mask every day or at least 4 – 5 times a week to really keep your skin fresh and plump. Lastly, keep a lip balm handy at all times, preferably with natural oils like jojoba, almond, coconut or shea. For the ladies, avoid your favorite matte lipsticks or any long wear shades. They stay on because they dry the lips. Even the best skin care routines go awry if our bodies are not well-nourished and feeding the cells in the dermis layers. Your skin’s best friend is collagen. This can be found in the skin and bones of meat, but that may not be your favorite plate filler. It’s much more convenient and tasty to add in a collagen supplement to your daily arsenal. Terra Origin offers a range of collagen boosting products like Bone Broth powders, Healthy Skin Boost in Acai berry or citrus and a range of supplements like the Inner Beauty Detox Cleanse and the Terra Origin Healthy Beauty.  

When we formulate our products, we continuously strive to create holistic supplements with the whole body in mind. If you read our labels, we want you to understand every word and feel good about what you are putting in your body. Not only do we try to keep our ingredients as natural as possible, we also do our best to source them from the highest quality. So if you’ve looked at our Healthy Skin Boost in Acai Berry or Citrus, you may have wondered about the Bioactive Collagen Peptides. To honor our policy of protecting your health, we wanted to shed some light on this amazing product. First let’s take a look at what collagen is and why it’s beneficial to our bodies. Collagen is the binding substance that holds our bodies together. It is a type of protein that builds and strengthens tendons, connective tissues, bones and comprises about 80% of the structure of our skin. It makes up the dermis layer deep within and is what keeps us plump and wrinkle free. It is also a foundational component of our hair and fingernails. At the beginning of life, the body naturally creates sufficient levels to keep us young and fresh, but environmental and endogenous factors take their toll, and our natural production begins to slow. When we protect our skin, we think of the obvious culprits, sun, food toxins and pollutants.  We then combat them however we can by using a good face wash, a daily skin cream and sunscreen, eating organic, non-greasy foods and having as little exposure to chemical pollution as possible. Unfortunately, there is a major attack on the health and beauty of our skin that we have no control over, time! Aging is inevitable. Luckily, science has given us numerous ways to slow this process down. Collagen peptides is one of those break throughs. Natural collagen can be supplemented through food, but as we eat healthier we get less of it. When you cook chicken soup or beef stew and that thick layer of goo forms on the top, that is collagen. It seeps out of the bones and animal fat, and it is often the first thing we throw out. Many people now buy lean cuts, boneless, skinless or have chosen animal-free diets. If this is the case, then we do not have a strong food source and must rely on a credible supplement. That’s why Terra Origin chose to formulate a unique powder to support your skin, hair and nails. You have probably read collagen on ingredient labels and heard of it from others, but there is a distinction to be made between collagen and hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Primarily that standard collagen, in a supplement form, has not proven affective in clinical trials. The molecules are too big to be absorbed properly and tend to get discarded by the body. We chose VERISOL ® Bioactive Collagen Peptides because they have numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that have proven their success. These are much smaller amino acids that get rapidly absorbed by the body and begin to form chains, which are called peptides. Peptides are messengers in the body to elicit functions to occur which earns them the title bioactive. In the case of collagen peptides, they are able to reach the deepest layers of your skin, the dermis level, where they set off stimulated response. As we age and our bodies lose this protein, it develops weak and empty spots in the dermis where the epidermis, outer layer of the skin, slips down and wrinkles are formed. This deficiency also plays a role in the prominence of cellulite, the places on the body where pockets of subcutaneous fat have pushed upward making visible dimples. When we have constant regeneration of cells, they form a cushy bed underneath that keeps the surface smooth, but the cellular growth is what wanes with the years. That is what makes bioactive peptides superior. They reach those deep inner layers and die off. That’s right. Your supplement is not what’s actually boosting up those lines on your forehead. It is what tricks the body into thinking there has been substantial cellular decay, and it must start generating new collagen growth immediately. Thus the bioactive response kicks in. New collagen growth begins and your dermis layers begin to fill out, once more returning the youthfulness to your appearance. VERISOL ®, is formulated by Gelita and is the only bioactive collagen peptide that has undergone significant testing and shown continuous results with no harmful side effects. In one study with 100 women between 45 to 65 years of age, they analyzed their improvement and found a considerable increase in skin procollagen concentration, elasticity and smoothness after four weeks. They’ve done similar studies on a decrease in cellulite visibility and the health and strength of fingernails. Both showed impressive outcomes!* The final part of our selection came in making a safe and environmentally friendly choice. Most collagen on the market is made from shark cartilage, shell fish or eggs. Another reason we prefer Gelita is due to their sourcing and clean food choices. They have found responsible manufacturing of natural gelatin from which they extract collagen proteins and then convert them into peptides. Their product does not contain any E number additives and is registered as a highly digestible, non-allergenic food. This particular supplement is not considered vegan and is only accepted by vegetarians who have made the conscious selection. We recommend our Healthy Skin Boost Powders as part of a balanced nutrition and lifestyle plan. They are not meal replacement but can be added to morning shakes, smoothie bowls or simply drank with water. Use the recommended one scoop daily for four to six weeks to see initial results, and continue use for a minimum of six months to retain skin improvements. Most of all, we hope you enjoy including the delicious, fresh flavors in your daily routine.  *All studies can be read on their site.

Laying in the warmth of the sun, soaking up the glittering rays and walking around with golden hues of skin is the envy of summer, but what price are we paying for that sun-kissed glow? The best-case scenario is merely aging 80% more than is necessary. Worst case scenario, skin cancer. The sun’s powerful UV rays wreak havoc on your skin’s elastin and collagen, but not to worry, you can still enjoy those languid afternoons. Take a look at how you can protect yourself in the future and possibly heal some of the damage that’s already been done! 1. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Certain things we know protect us from sun damage. So tip number one, don’t ever forget your sunscreen! Look for a broad spectrum coverage that protects against UVB and UVA rays. If your cream doesn’t say broad spectrum, it isn’t doing you any good against UVA light and that is what causes the rapid aging and increased chance of skin cancer! Opt for an SPF of 30 or higher. At SPF 30, 97% of the UVB rays are being filtered; as you go up, the increase in effectiveness is negligible. Anything below 15 is no longer protecting you from permanent sun damage. Choose a water-resistant cream, but remember there is no sun protection that is fully waterproof or sweatproof. To protect yourself, it is recommended that you reapply every 80 minutes to two hours.  If it is effective for less time, then put on a fresh coat more often or switch to a longer lasting brand. When you have the right sunblock for you, remember those tiny areas that get sneaky exposure like the tips of your ears, back of your neck, all of your feet and your scalp! 2. The second tip may seem obvious, but with these long, sunny days we tend to forget. No sunscreen is as effective as covering up and staying in the shade. You can still enjoy the lapping sounds of water while under an umbrella or beneath the cool shade of a wide tree. If you’re walking around outside, gardening or watching outdoor sports, don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat or even full clothing. Select thin, all-natural fabrics in light colors to help protect your skin and possibly deflect some heat.  Ladies can take a fashion tip from the East and carry a decorative umbrella as you walk or sit. Regardless of your methods, reducing your exposure to the direct rays will be highly rewarding for your youth and health. Once you’ve done all you can to guard your skin against obvious exposure, it’s time to think about what options you have to protect it from random moments and possibly help heal it from past traumas. 3. Nothing epitomizes “you are what you eat” better than your skin! So think fresh, plump, moist citrus. Vitamin C does wonders for your outer glow! This common little nutrient plays a massive role in maintaining the collagen in your skin. This is the protein that gives your skin its elasticity and keeps it vibrant and young. Add in the powerful antioxidant properties of vitamin C and you’ll be sipping from the fountain of youth! Antioxidants help to protect your skin cells from free radicals which in turn slows down those pesky wrinkles and spots. Unfortunately, that coveted UV light also breaks down collagen faster than standard aging, and it lowers the levels of vitamin C in the epidermis, the outer surface of your skin. It’s not too late to give your skin some love. Studies show that adding this little supplement to your daily routine can actually help prevent and even reverse some UV photo-damage! This doesn’t mean you need to start eating bags of oranges. Try out Terra Origin’s Citrus Healthy Skin Boost powder for any easy addition of 73% of your recommended daily intake! 4. Sometimes your body needs a little extra help to prevent and heal itself from the heavy damage life can inadvertently inflict.  Between natural aging, pollutants inside and out and sun exposure, our natural collagen production can’t always keep up. Although we produce collagen, it may not be quick enough to replace what we lose or damage in our day to day lives. This is why collagen supplements have taken over entire aisles in the health and beauty department. Not all over-the-counter collagens are of the same quality. Terra Origin took the time to source out a brand that has been thoroughly tested and shows consistent results. The Healthy Skin Boost powders, in acai berry or citrus, both give you 2.5 grams of VERISOL ® Bioactive Collagen Peptides. It has been shown that this amount taken daily begins to show results after only four weeks and nearly triples its efficacy after eight weeks. VERISOL ® has been proven to dramatically decrease wrinkles and improve skin elasticity up to 15%! 5. When it comes to giving your skin a healthy radiance this summer, take in less sun and more of what your body needs! Two key players in maintaining that picture-perfect complexion are resveratrol and quercetin. You may have heard of both but not be clear on their role in your health. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to anti-aging benefits. This is no surprise as we know antioxidants help protect us from free-radical damage. Resveratrol preforms two distinct functions; it helps to prevent the development of free-radicals to begin with, and it seeks out the existing ones to eliminate them. It is naturally found in the red pigment of grape skins or red wine, cranberries, blueberries, peanuts, pistachios, and raw cacao, but to get it in quantities to fight against sun damage, it’s better to take in a little extra. Quercetin is also an antioxidant and is a flavonol regularly found in onions, broccoli, citrus fruits, grapes and berries. The benefit of this flavonoid is its powerful ability to reduce and rid the body of inflammation. It fights natural age-related oxidation of the cells keeping you younger and healthier from the inside out! Our beauty and health directly reflect our self-care practices on the outside and on the inside. To protect your skin this summer and all year long, take the Youthful Skin Antioxidant Formula once daily.  

The human body is one of the most complex organisms on the planet, so it’s no wonder we can’t keep track of all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to function in peak form. Take biotin for example. What is it? Do we need it? And is it found in the shampoo aisle?