The Wash

January was Thyroid Awareness Month! This month and every month we should stay vigilant about supporting our thyroid as it can affect almost every aspect of our health and wellness.  I started learning more about the thyroid on my own journey with hypothyroidism. During this 15 year journey I’ve made many lifestyle changes to support my overall thyroid function. This launched my passion for living a toxin-free life and has led me to share a few thoughts as we wrap up awareness month. Why is the Thyroid Important? The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It's responsible for producing tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are hormones that are necessary for how cells utilize energy.  The thyroid plays a significant role in metabolism, growth, and body development. It also supports and regulates many body functions by continually releasing thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.  Our bodies are so intelligent! The thyroid knows to do its job when the pituitary gland releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and then tells your thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone - T4. T4 must then be converted into T3, the active form, to be used as needed. What Affects Thyroid Health? Stress The more stress you have, the more the stress hormone cortisol is released. Your body is so focused on releasing cortisol that it cannot focus on the conversion of T4 to T3.  Gut Health Your gut is another place for T4 to be converted to T3, so IBS, leaky gut syndrome, and lack of good bacteria in your gut hinder this conversion. Diet Low-calorie diets will hinder T4 conversion and cause a drop in your metabolism. Ultimately weight loss is not achieved, and the thyroid cannot function as needed.  Chemicals in Skincare Many beauty products contain chemicals to reduce production costs and increase shelf-life. Unfortunately, these chemicals can have an effect on the thyroid, causing it to fail in producing enough hormones.  Be on the lookout for these common toxic ingredients: parabens, synthetic fragrance, oxybenzone (often used in SPF products), and phthalates. Did we mention these ingredients are banned in other countries!?  What You Can do to Support Thyroid Health Reducing stress is paramount. I know it's easier said than done but find time in your day for meditation, journaling, deep breathing, yoga, or anything that brings you back to a relaxed state. Also, make sure your gut is healthy, and you eat a healthy diet. This may mean making changes, such as taking digestive enzymes and/or probiotics, finding out your food sensitivities, and eating a diet rich in fiber and low in processed foods.  As for beauty products, read the labels. If you can't pronounce it, it's most likely not good for you. Let me say that one more time...If you can't pronounce it, it's most likely not good for you.  One of the main reasons Tori and I started TOMA was to offer results-driven skincare products that are completely toxin-free. Remember, the more you avoid toxins, the healthier you'll be overall!  In health and wellness, Marla - Co Founder, TOMA

We may have heard it all throughout our awkward pimply adolescent years... oil is the enemy and we need to banish it with harsh apricot scrubs and alcohol pads. It turns out drying out acneic skin is a misnomer and the right facial oil blend will actually work to fight bacteria and heal your skin. Facial oils are all over the market, but it's important to understand exactly how they work and how to choose the right one.  A clean facial oil is great for all skin types, not just if you have acne. We know those with oily skin often avoid extra oil out of fear of clogging pores and creating more breakouts. Let's be clear, the right facial oil will not clog pores and cause acne. It's counterintuitive, we know, but the right facial oil can treat acne better than any harsh drying acid that was pitched to us over the past 30 years. Newsflash: most topical oils are not the cause of acne. The underlying root of acne often times runs on a deeper, systemic level and is exasperated by hormone disrupting chemicals found in food we eat, the things we put on our skin, and our environment that mess with our endocrine system.  Fight Fire With Fire Due to the chemical nature of breakouts, the cellular turnover of acneic skin is five times faster than non-acneic skin. With the overproduction of oil plus skin cells shedding faster than a person can cleanse, the skin becomes congested.  Using an oil on already oily skin sounds illogical, but a common mistake in acne treatments is to strip the skin of its natural oils or to use “oil-free” cleansers. When you remove the skin of its natural oils, it will compensate for the loss and create even more oil in an effort to rehydrate itself. The excess oil, plus extra dead skin causes clogged, angry pores. Courtney Buras, Master Esthetician at The Still Point Spa, sees many clients with acne and has seen firsthand the benefits of facial oils. Courtney shares, “Oils help balance out the overproduction of oil because it's lipophilic, so it makes its way into the follicle where oil is present and attracts oil from the pores. Skin is left hydrated but not congested." TOMA's Bioactive Regenerating Oil is infused with natural fruit acids and essential oils to micro-exfoliate and cleanse the pores for overall healthier skin. The specific oil and source are important Since lipids are rapidly absorbed by the skin, the chemical properties of the oil and source need to be understood. Some oils are comedogenic (meaning they clog pores), so oils like shea, fractionated coconut oil, and sesame oils should be avoided. Oils we recommend for acne:  • Tamanu Oil:  A Polynesian oil that's known for killing bacteria heals current breakouts, prevents future breakouts, and reduces scarring. • Grapeseed Oil: Contains antimicrobial properties that can treat breakouts by attacking bacteria and clears pores. • Argan Oil: Regulates sebum production and reduces breakouts. Its high antioxidant concentration removes damaged cells and fosters new cell growth, helping to fade scars. Healing acne is 90% done at home with a consistent, simple regimen with powerful plant-based formulas. Washing your face twice a day and hydrating with a product like TOMA’s Bioactive Regenerating Oil will turn your skin from greasy to glowing.