As we move from fall to winter, my skin needs more pampering to help it adjust to the changes in temperature. In my latest beauty article for Who What Wear, "I'm 55 and Known for My Radiant Glow—Here's the Evening Routine I Live By," I highlight the clean beauty products I’m currently using each night so that my skin can stay hydrated and in the best condition throughout this season. This nighttime routine gives my skin the extra TLC it needs, especially during these drier months. Read on to see and shop for the products I am currently loving during this time!
Read moreIntroducing “The Glow Girl Certified” Best in Clean Beauty
Say hello to “Glow Girl Certified” clean beauty (and wellness)! I created this Best in Clean Beauty list for you as a result of all the requests that have come in asking for my favorite product picks to be housed in one place. These tried and true selections have been thoroughly tested by me personally and help me to look and feel my best. #10yearsyounger. I will keep adding new, highly curated products to the list that I can advocate for, and will update it monthly so you can stay informed of my latest finds. I am so excited to share this information with you, and I hope you find it helpful!
xxMelissa
Click on the links for more info on the product and to order!
*Check out the new starred products added to the list*
SKINCARE
Beauty Pie - Use code MELISSASENTME for $10 off membership
Kora Organics - Use MELISSA15 for 15% off
Voyage et vie - Use code glowgirl15 for 15% off
Masks -
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks
Chok Chok face mask - Use code MELISSA40 for 40% off
KORA Organics Turmeric 2-in-1 Brightening and Exfoliating Mask
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask
Face Tools -
KORA Organics Rose Quartz Heart Facial Gua Sha
Honey Belle Premium Jade Facial Roller
Jenny Patinkin Rose on Rose Face Roller
Sdara Skincare Microneedle Skin Roller
Honey Belle Premium Amethyst Facial Roller
Cleansers -
* KORA Organics Milky Mushroom Cleanser - Use MELISSA15 for 15% off
Kora Organics Milky Mushroom Cleanser
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven Gentle Cream Cleanser
Pai Skincare Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Pai Skincare Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil
Reflekt Reflekt 1 Daily Exfoliating Face Wash
Facial Exfoliators -
TULA Exfoliating Treatment Mask
TULA So Polished Exfoliating Face Scrub
GOOP GLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
Juice Beauty Prebiotix Instant Flash Facial
Toners -
Serums -
Soma Ayurvedic Vitamin C Serum
Beautycounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum
Winged Youth Radiance Serum - Use code GlowGirl15 for 15% off
Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum
Face Moisturizers, Creams, and Oils -
*Kora Organics Tumeric Glow Moisturizer - Use discount code MELISSA15 for 15% off
*Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream
Replenix Age Restore Nighttime Therapy
True Botanicals Renew Radiance Oil
True Botanicals CBD Anti-Inflammaging Oil
Rejuvenate with Nousha The Reset Facial Oil - Use discount code GLOWGIRL15 for 15% off
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum
Beautystat Universal Moisture Essence
GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream
Pai Skincare Age Confidence Cream Echium & Macadamia
TULA Hydrating Day & Night Cream
AYR Skin Care Restore Night Cream
Furtuna Skin Replenishing Balm
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich
Saint Jane Luxury CBD Beauty Serum
Furtuna Skin Biphase Moisturizing Oil
Eye Creams and Oils -
Kora Organics Eye Oil - Use discount code MELISSA15 for 15% off
Replenix Age Restore Retinol Eye Repair
SiO Beauty Super EyeLift Undereye Patches
GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Eye Cream
TULA Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye BalmBeautycounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum
Suncare -
BODY
Exfoliators and Scrubs -
Beautycounter Sugar Body Scrub in Lemongrass
Kopari Beauty Coconut Crush Scrub
Self-Tanners -
Whish Beauty Coconut Milk and Verbena Self Tanner
KORA Organics Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion
Body Creams, Body Butters, and Oils -
Wellphoria Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion
Primally Pure Eucalyptus + Lavender Body Butter
Sagely Naturals Relief and Recovery CBD Cream
Goop Nourishing Repair Body Butter
Furtuna Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil
Furtuna Skin Rinascita Delle Olive Replenishing Balm
Indie Lee Essential Body Lotion
KORA Organics Noni Glow Body Oil
Winged CBD Radiance Body Oil - Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
Primally Pure Almond + Vanilla Body Butter
Thisworks Perfect Hands Intense Moisture
Juice Beauty Green Apple Hand Cream
Bath -
Lab to Beauty The Brightening Body Wash - Bubble Bath
Deodorants -
Primally Pure natural deodorant - Use code GLOWGIRL for 10% off
Primally Pure Lavender Deodorant
Kosas Chemistry ADA Serum Deodorant
Hand and Nails -
Whish Hand Cream and Cuticle Oil
Juice Beauty Green Apple Hand Sanitizer
Toothpaste -
BEAUTY
Brands-
Primer -
Tula Face Filter Blurring & Moisturizing Primer
Tinted Moisturizers -
Saie Beauty Slip Tinted Moisturizer
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
COOLA Organic Face Rosilliance BB+ Cream SPF 30
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Concealer -
RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up Concealer
Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
Beautycounter Touchup Skin Concealer Pen
Foundation -
ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation
Eyeliner -
Eyeshadow -
W3LL People Natural Eye Palette
Ilia The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette
PYT Beauty No BS Eyeshadow Palette
SAINT Cosmetics Eye Palette in Nude
Mascara -
Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara
Brows and Lashes -
Luna Nectar Moon Boost Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum
Bronzer and Blush -
W3LL People Natural Bio Bronzer Powder
Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
RMS Sensual Skin Trio - 3 in 1 powder palette with bronzer, blush, and highlighter
Highlighters -
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinter Highlighter
Au Naturale All-Glowing Creme Highlighter
Lip Gloss & Lip Stick
Lilah B. Lovingly Lip Tint Oil
Kari Gran Tinted Lip Whip Treatment Balm
Saint Jane Beauty CBD Lip Gloss
COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm SPF 30
*COOLA Organic Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30
Lune + Aster Vitamin c+e Lip Gloss in Poet
HAIR
Christophe Robin hair products
Shampoos -
GLOSS MODERNE Clean Luxury Shampoo
Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath Shampoo
Conditioners -
GLOSS MODERNE Clean Luxury Conditioner
Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
Flora Remedia Lavender Hair Oil TreatmentEco Therapy Revive Conditioner
Malibu C Color Prepare Wellness Hair Remedy
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
Wellphoria Nourishing Conditioner
Dry Shampoo-
*Vegamour Dry Shampoo Use GLOWGIRL20 for 20% off
Mousse and Mists-
Virtue The Finale Shaping Spray
COOLA Scalp & Hair Mist (sunscreen for hair)
Innersense Hair Love Prep Spray
Hair Mask -
GLOSS MODERNE Clean Luxury Masque
Serums, Supplements, and Treatments -
Hush + Hush Deeply Rooted Hair Growth Supplement - Use code “MELISSA” for 20% off)
For All Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
Vegamour Gro+ Advanced Lash Serum Use GLOWGIRL20 for 20% off
Vegamour Biotin Hair Gummies Use GLOWGIRL20 for 20% off
*Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Brow Serum Use GLOWGIRL20 for 20% of
Other -
SUPPLEMENTS
*Thorne Health Supplements - Get 20% off the products I use on my store
*Thorne Niacel 200 - Get 20% off the products I use on my store
Lakanto monk fruit sweetener - Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
GOOPGLOW Morning Skin Superpowder
Nordic Naturals Algae Omega supplement
ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
SkinTē Sparkling Collagen Teas - Use code GLOWGIRL30 (valid for 30% off 12-pack purchases)
Juice Beauty Prebiotix Antioxidant Beauty Boost
SkinTē Sparkling Collagen Teas - Use code GLOWGIRL30 (valid for 30% off 12-pack purchases)
Juice Beauty Prebiotix Antioxidant Beauty Boost
Relizen -Use code glowgirl20 for 20% off your first month’s subscription
Hush + Hush PlantYourDay Protein - Use code MELISSA for 20% off sitewide
Joya Adaptogen Bliss - Cacao Elixir Blend
Kroma Superfoods Ultimate Vitality
Om Mushroom Superfood - Use code MELISSAMEYERS for 20% off sitewide
Beauty Bar Chocolate - Use code GLOWGIRL10 for 10% off sitewide
CBD
Beauty -
Saint Jane Calming Luxury Lip Shine
Rejuvenate With Nousha Face Reset Oil
Winged Face Oil - Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
Switch2Pure Bright and Shine Gel Cleanser
Sagely Naturals CBD Brightening Eye Cream
Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum
Priya Apothica CBD Bliss Renewal Serum
Priya Apothica CBD Phyto Metamorphosis Cream
Lord Jones Acid Mantle Repair Moisturizer
*True Botanicals CBD 500 Anti-Inflammaging Treatment Oil
Hair products -
For All Hydrating CBD Hair Mask
Wellphoria Nourishing Conditioner
Bath & Body -
Winged Radiance Body Oil - Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
Prima R & R Advanced Recovery Cream - Use code GLOWGIRL for 20% off
*Prima Beyond Body Oil Stress Remedy Use code GLOWGIRL for 20% off
Herbivore Botanicals Emerald CBD Cleansing Bar Soap
Sagely Naturals Calm Relief And Recovery CBD Roll-On
Lab To Beauty Soothing Bath Soak
Highline Wellness Hydrate, Relax, Restore Bath Bombs
Dr. Kerklaan Natural CBD Sleep Cream
*Terra Vita Revive CDB Bath Salts
Ingestibles -
Winged Sleepy CBD Gummies -Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
Winged Relaxation CBD Gummies - Use code Glowgirl15 for 15% off
*Winged Rise Up Energy and Focus CBD Gummies Use code Glowgirl20 for 20% off
Lief Royal 1250 Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Calivolve RESTORE Collection Chocolate Box
Gron Adaptogenic Chocolate Sampler
The Trusted Lab CBD Wellness Gummies With Vitamin C + Zinc
Topical Pain Relief -
Prima Bath Gem - Use GLOWGIRL for 20% off
BEAUTY COUNTER
After years of testing several Beautycounter clean beauty products, I have been very impressed with many of their products and will be reporting on my favorite items from their line. The company is a leader in the clean beauty movement and I stand behind their philosophy to help educate and share the safest, best quality products available!
Makeup -
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation
Skin care -
Sugar Body Scrub in Lemongrass
Hydrating Body Lotion in Citrus Mimosa
Citrus Mimosa Hand Wash and Hand Cream
Mindfulness and Practical Life Skills- Tips for Getting Through the Current Covid-19 Climate and Beyond, by Erin Lotz and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny
During this stressful time with the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve found myself clinging to my mindfulness and gratitude practices more than ever. Perhaps it’s because these two things help me to pause and better choose how to approach the many things that are out of my control at the moment. When I think of the word mindfulness, common suggestions such as being more present, focusing on one thing at a time, and taking time to meditate come to mind. But in conversation with my friend and Psychotherapist, Erin Lotz, I also realize mindfulness isn’t just about these things, it’s also about validation, acceptance, and sitting with any opposing feelings we may be experiencing.
I met Erin at the Shift Mind Body Soul retreat last September, where she taught a fascinating workshop and gave us some tools to help improve our overall mental health. Erin and her co-founder, Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny, run a psychotherapy treatment center, Westside DBT, with two locations in the Los Angeles area. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) combines both cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness approaches that help people understand, accept, and change patterns of living that cause distress.
This month, I'm pleased to welcome this guest contributor duo to my platform. Read on to see how Erin Lotz and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny take us down a path less traveled when it comes to sharing a different way to look at mindfulness and some great suggestions on how to apply this practice.
For several years, the concept of mindfulness has been researched, discussed, and promoted in many different areas. Healthcare workers, mental health clinicians, nutritionists, and others have sought to implement mindfulness in their work with their clients. Mindfulness retreats have become coveted events all over the world. What was once a buzz word, is now widely used in several different fields. However, with this emergence, mindfulness can sometimes feel more complicated than it is and perhaps unnecessarily confusing.
Now, in 2020, the entire world is facing a physical and mental health pandemic, Covid-19. Regardless of where you are in your acceptance of this enormous life challenge, mindfulness is the most relevant practice that can get us through these times. Jon Kabat–Zinn defines mindfulness as, “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, and in the present moment taking a nonjudgmental stance.” That’s it. Think about that elegant simplicity. The emphasis is “on purpose” as opposed to being on “auto-pilot”. This simplicity allows for individuals to embrace mindfulness anywhere and anytime. It can be simple, practical, and helpful.
A friend once asked, “Why would I want to pay attention all the time? Who wants to do that? I’m good with the way things are. Besides, life kind of sucks sometimes.” Many of you must be thinking that right now and, to be completely honest, our friend has a good point. Nevertheless, the other side of this dialectical dilemma is that when we pay attention on purpose, we allow ourselves to increase the quality of our lives. Also, we get to take hold of how we create and respond to whatever is right in front of us, whether it causes us joy or pain. We become the drivers in our own life, allowing us to metaphorically take hold of the wheel and steer. Choosing to ignore our realities can cause more suffering than confronting them. Paying attention to our internal and external experiences empowers us to make an actual choice.
As clinicians using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we hold the philosophical stance of dialectics. A dialect is two opposing forces both being true at the same time. An example of this is the concept of acceptance and change. We can accept life on life’s terms and our current circumstances but also want things to change at the same time. Dialectical dilemmas and tensions are what we experience when we are pulled in the two opposing directions. This can feel very distressing at times, however, it is actually a very natural and common phenomenon that most individuals experience but do not talk about. It is not good or bad, black or white, happy or sad. It is both at the same time. If we do not acknowledge the dialectical dilemmas that we face daily it results in our living in the extremes and failing to find a cohesive synthesis. Through mindfulness, we can observe these opposing forces and try to purposefully walk the middle path between the two. Doing so without imposing judgment, personal interpretations, and opinions is also helpful.
During this pandemic, a common dialectical dilemma that we have been observing is wanting to live our lives as normally as possible while having to accept the new shelter at home guidelines that are keeping us physically distant from our loved ones. Both of these ideas are true and both can be held at the same time. This can cause an immense amount of stress and research illustrates how stress or anxiety affects our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone and an increase in cortisol levels can, in turn, compromise our immune system.
There is no doubt that we are all feeling a sense of heightened uncertainty specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. Likely, most of us have now gone into survival mode which is a natural instinct that is meant to be temporary. Living our lives to simply survive is not living. So, how do we shift from survival to living? The answer is mindfulness.
Here are a few suggestions that can help in your own mindfulness practice.
Pay attention to how you are talking to yourself and others about COVID-19. How we talk to ourselves affects how we feel and how we behave. You can empower yourself and stay mentally healthy by reframing distressing thoughts to embrace a sense of calm and not spiral into catastrophic fear or panic.
When we are practicing Mindfulness, we become curious, nonjudgmental observers on purpose. We notice and put words to our experience. “I’m noticing fear. I’m noticing that I am focusing on my negative self-talk.” Our worry thoughts can be intrusive but when we learn to pay attention deliberately, we become more aware of how our thinking is affecting us. We can hit pause and “take hold” of our mind as opposed to allowing our mind to take control of us. When you are feeling anxious, stressed, or fearful ask yourself “is this thought helping or hindering me?” If it is a hindrance then practice reframing the thought.
Think of a more adaptive thought, even if you do not fully believe it. Acting “as if” often helps change your cognitive process.
Validation is another effective strategy. It creates a sense of safety and belonging. When we practice validation, we acknowledge that our internal experience makes sense. It makes sense that most people are feeling unsettled and wanting to gain a sense of control right now. Identifying that it is normal to feel this way and understanding that we are not alone are helpful self-validation strategies.
Radical Acceptance is another DBT skill that relates to mindfulness. This is acknowledging our reality instead of wishing it was different. When we practice radical acceptance, it is important to know that accepting our reality does NOT mean we must agree and approve of it. It is simply reminding yourself that it is happening. We can only move forward and change when we accept what is.
Radical acceptance allows us to live with our eyes wide open, not live in the dark or in denial. Suffering is the non-acceptance of pain. In essence, suffering becomes optional and when we acknowledge what is happening we become empowered to do something about it.
As we move through this time as a community, remember mindfulness is a skill that needs to be practiced daily. You can do it with awareness. When we exercise this skill, we are choosing to calm our central nervous system and keep our immune system strong. We can create new neural pathways in the brain and increase the quality of life.
As each of us practices common mindfulness suggestions that we frequently hear and read about, we also encourage you to consider practicing validation, radical acceptance, and dialectical thinking strategies.
Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny and Erin Lotz co-founded Westside DBT, a comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy outpatient clinic in August 2010. They were intensively trained as a team, through Behavioral Tech, and have extensive experience in the field of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), with a combined 27 years experience.
Sasha and Erin currently treat families, adolescents, and adults in West LA and Studio City locations along with a team of 16 therapists. They have provided clinical training for the UCLA psychiatry residents for the past four years and are also trained in the newest application of DBT; launching a novel program to bring DBT to children between the ages of 6 and 12, as well as their families.
Sasha, a USC graduate, received her training from Harbor UCLA, a DMH facility in Torrance, California. She currently specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and DBT, working with adults and family members. Sasha lives in Santa Monica with her husband and 6-year-old son. She also has two step-daughters in college.
Erin Lotz is a USC graduate as well, holding a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. She was first introduced to DBT while providing psychotherapy at Optimist Youth Homes, working with adjudicated youth and she participated in her first two-day DBT training with Marsha Linehan in 2000, the founder and creator of DBT. When Erin worked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, she helped integrate DBT into Thalains’ Dual Diagnosis and Adult Intensive Outpatient programs, while training the psychiatry residents and clinicians. Erin currently resides in Pacific Palisades with her partner, son, and two dogs.
Erin Lotz, LCSW and Sasha Ginsburg-Krasny, LCSW
Co-Founders of Westside DBT
West LA and Studio City
www.westsidedbt.com
SHOP Recommended Reads and Wellness Products Below!
The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Say What You Mean by Oren Jay Sofer
Peace is Every Step- The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh
SHOP My Favorite Wellness Products Below!