Define Clean...

It has been years and years of trying to master the balance of my skin and overall health. Sometimes my fixations would be marked by the topical options while other times I would really hone in on what I was ingesting.

I'm not going to explain what hasn't worked for me over the years, because in my personal opinion, I don't believe it's fair to judge a product when it doesn't work for myself if it's helping other people. I changed my perspective and looked for environmental factors that would be weighing in on my overall skin health.

Why? Well because, when you really think about it, a lot of people in this world have unfair advantages that impend the moment of, "did it work?" Some of us live in areas of the world that have toxic pollutants that affect the barriers of health far beyond other areas. Do you think Skid Row, in DTLA is using the same water filtration systems that the people in Beverly Hills, not far down the beaten path are using? That would be a HARD NO.

So, now I'm really boiling over, trying to identify new trends in the skincare industry that are considered to be revolutionary, in terms of environmental pollutant prevention. If SPF is the most important part of our daily skincare routine, and this product is able to protect against the most harmful of pollutants in our environment, then doesn't that tell you that we must look at other environmental factors that have gone unnoticed?

The water we ABSORB; It clicked.

When I would move throughout the years whilst renting in my 20's, I noticed not only my face but my WHOLE BACK and top of my arms would have crazy breakouts. It's humiliating, it's disgusting (to the person who is suffering from it, mostly) and it's a downright inconvenience. For those of you who understand the inconvenience of not being able to show a little more leg, or wear a top that reveals your whole back whilst fighting dead, broken out skin- I have missed out on over a dozen years, on and off, fighting this issue and my self confidence.

My parents have always been so enlightening throughout the years. Parents just seems to know everything and the open dynamic of conversation my sister's and I grew up around has been rewarding throughout my adult years.

They would talk about hard water, soft water, well water and once the element of water clicked for me, I decided to take their words and research.

Now, for the best part: I found my middle ground. Not only did I discover an amazing alternative to a water softening system for my shower, I found research on top of research for each product available; and to my surprise, they were all under $40.00! With the easiest installation you can imagine, I lucked out with my incredible new AquaBliss shower filter. (Bought on Amazon.)

A shower filter is not quite a water softening system, but it does eliminate chemicals and harmful pollutants in your shower water. Funny story: you'd never realize these harmful pollutants actually become a barrier of scum on your skin, every time you shower. Yeah, you know that soap scum that you need to bleach your tub with, or that film on your bathroom walls and mirror that look like the legs of a good red wine just kind of running down the walls... Mmhm, that sh*t is also sitting on your skin.

Long story short[er], I ordered AquaBliss, a 12-step water filtration system that just screws right onto the shower arm, to which you use the filter as an extension, before reapplying your shower head. (For those with great skin but have horrible shower pressure, just do yourself and your greasy hair a favor and invest in this or any filter product because it increases water pressure tremendously.)

My skin, prior to using my new shower filter was dull, yellowish grey, and had been experiencing breakouts. I would end my showers feeling like my skin, especially breakout prone areas, felt greasy. After applying this to my shower, my skin has become incredible. I'm not just talking about clearing up breakouts, I am talking about much more than that. My skin has achieved the awakening of a natural glow, my soap suds up much more, my hair and nails are also softer and have brightened as well. I shaved, and unlike before the installation, I would have semi razor burn for literally NO REASON. But now, these problems have essentially, "washed away".

Do your research. Figure out which harmful chemicals are in your local water. I live in Charlotte, NC where my specific zip code has over 16 extremely harmful chemicals which are all major causes of.. You guess it, cancer. Harmful toxins is one issue, it's another when some of these toxins have exceeded the legal limit by more than 350x. To figure out your specific zip code's information, I strongly suggest motivating yourself to invest in this cheap option by going online to EWG's tap-water database and punching in your information- All it takes is a zip code.

Even if your skin is radiant, please, "my fellow Americans," help protect yourself. Some areas have such high levels of chlorine that it can even lead to upper respiratory issues in your children, such as Asthma.

Guess what, the media wont tell you this. Without getting into conspiracies', I believe it's our right as tax payers and victims of a never ending, self righteously promising, product market to enlighten us. Below, I am listing the immense, visible benefits of purchasing a water filter, as well as the link to the local tap-water database that I mentions earlier!

I'd love to just quickly explain, I am not paid to promote. I am just another human with concerns that affect more than just myself which is why I hope many people read this and take what I have said seriously.

Benefits:

Hair- eliminates dandruff and itchy scalp, softens hair, decreases hair loss, hair will grow faster, color will last longer, as well as products being used working more effectively.

Skin- helps relieve eczema, body wash products lather much more and cleaner, products actually start to penetrate the skin and work more effectively, smoother softer skin, helps reduce and eliminate breakouts on face and body, skin feels much cleaners and so on.

Nails- grow faster, slowly eliminates discoloration to nails, feet start to become softer and shedding their callus crusted heels.

EWG's Local Tap-Water Database link: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/#.W2B4xNVKiUk