Loving Your Lymphatic System & Skin with Living Libations
Our lymphatic system is an integral part of our well-being as well as the health of our skin, which actually needs more love & attention than most people think. In this blog post, I’ll be diving into what the lymphatic system really is, its role, problems congested lymph can cause, how the health of our lymphatic system relates to our skin, and what you can do to stimulate & love this amazing part of your body.
A foundational part of my lymph-care routine is using certain Living Libations products daily, that are specially formulated to help with the movement of lymphatic fluid & drainage, through botanical ingredients that contain regenerative, toning & purifying properties. I will also be sharing my other movement & diet tips that will contribute to the cleansing & flow of this system. 💧
I first found out about Living Libations about 5 years ago, in my favourite little juice bar on the island Kauai✨. Since then, I have been thrilled to explore their different ranges of the highest quality botanical products, that have never ceased to bless my skin, hair, teeth, gums, and body. Living Libations has to be my most adored brand to this day. All of their skincare, body care, oral care, hair care, sun care, and beauty products are:
organic & wildcrafted
microbiome friendly
food grade
synthetic free
GMO-free
gluten-free
beyond fair trade
reef safe
leaping bunny certified
I am so excited to be sharing with you how you can look after your lymphatic system, with the integration of these pure, clean libations that will revitalise your lymph & skin!
Continue reading to learn more🌞
What is the lymphatic system & it’s role?
Your lymphatic system is the detox hero of your body! A peak functioning lymphatic system is key to health and vitality, but this critically important part of the body is one that most people don’t appreciate or know much about.
Your lymphatic system is an intricate network of tissues and organs made up of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymph that assist your immune system and act as your body's drainage system. This system is located just below your skin and is often forgotten, working in the background to ensure the body is able to properly cleanse, detoxify and maintain fluid levels. The primary function of this system is to transport a watery fluid called “lymph” containing white blood cells throughout the body. These white blood cells are key to fighting infection and aid the body to expel toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials.
Your lymphatic system is basically your body’s built-in sanitation center, the plumbing that carries away and filters out waste products from every cell.
Keeping your lymphatic system in top condition is key to maintaining overall health in your body and ensuring you have a strong, resilient immune system. Essentially, when our lymphatic system is functioning properly, we experience good health and if we do get sick, it helps us recover quickly.
A congested lymphatic system
Unlike blood circulation, which has an automatic pump - the heart, which moves your blood throughout your entire body, lymphatic drainage is a passive drainage system. This means we need to help move the fluid! It relies on our proper functioning of muscles and joints to keep it moving properly. It’s easy for the lymphatic system to become sluggish and stagnant if we’re not moving our bodies and if it becomes overloaded with toxins.
Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. If the lymph is not flowing well, the cells are not eliminating their own waste and the lymph fluid becomes stagnant & unclean. A sluggish lymphatic system can result in a lowered immune system, fatigue, fluid retention, cellulite, and fatty deposits. It can also be a root cause of respiratory problems, sinus infections, swollen glands, eczema, itchy skin, acne, colds, and ear infections. This is why it is vital that we tend to our lymph and keep it stimulated.
How does the health of our lymphatic system relate to our skin?
The health of our lymphatic system is intrinsically connected to the health of our skin. Our lymphatic fluid is located right beneath our skin, and this system creates a clear pathway for hydration, nutrients and oxygen to be delivered to your cells. If it is not functioning properly, your skin may suffer from acne, eczema, loss of elasticity, premature aging, and other skin conditions.
Something else that can contribute to overburdened lymph, and in turn cause inflamed skin, is synthetic chemical-based skincare & body care products. Our skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption — what goes on the skin goes into the body, into the lymph and adds to the toxic load. This will reflect through our skin (remember, the largest organ of elimination!). It is essential to only use organic, wildcrafted, food-grade, microbiome friendly, synthetic-free, GMO-free products on the body, which is why I love to use Living Libations for pretty much everything; skin & body care, essential oils, dental care, sun care, hair care, deodorant, perfume, and moreeee!🌺
What backs up lymph?
Some contributing factors to a backed-up lymphatic system include; lack of movement & deep breathing, dehydration, stress, digestive imbalances, processed foods, and chemical exposures (through processed foods, tap & bottled water, cosmetic & household products, pharmaceutical use, etc).
What can do you to stimulate your lymphatic system?
There are many things you can do to get your lymphatic system stimulated & draining. You’ll find that these tips are fun to put into action, and many of them involve minimal time and effort.
nourish the skin with botanical oils that have toning, regenerative, and purifying properties.
dry brushing your skin
hydrating with plenty of high-quality water, I choose to drink Kangen water
take a few minutes for deep breathing
have alternating hot & cold showers
jump on a rebounder mini trampoline
walking
stretching daily
wear natural fibres & loose, comfortable clothing, avoid underwire bras or tight underwear which restricts lymph flow
avoid synthetic skin & body care products, reach for organic, food-grade, plant-based products.
eat a wholefoods diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and greens.
drink herbal teas that benefit your lymph, such as echinacea and dandelion.
Here are some incredible Living Libations products I’ve been using to revitalise my lymphatic system & skin…
This Clarifying Clay Soap is a botanical bar soap crafted with cleansing French green clay, also known as sea clay, a naturally occurring element captured from quarries in France. I love to incorporate this in my lymph-care routine to gently wash and clean hands, arm pits, and privates, because it is highly absorbent and has the ability to draw toxins and impurities like a magnet. This soap is made from cacao butter, jojoba oil, saponified olive oil, virgin coconut oil, yarrow, rosemary, eucalyptus, cypress, laurel, all of which cleanse & purify pores and give hydration to the skin. I appreciate how it doesn’t feel like I’ve stripped off the top layer of my skin after using this soap, as that’s how most soaps usually leave my skin feeling! It also has a lovely mild scent of the essential oils mentioned above which I find are quite energising.
Since we’re talking about getting the lymph fluids flowing, let’s discuss cellulite. A number of components can contribute to the formation of cellulite: circulation insufficiencies, clogged vascular system, immobility or sedentary lifestyle, nutritional deficits, increased body fat, estrogen dominance, collagen and connective tissue breakdown, and genetics. The best treatment for cellulite is to learn to love your body just as it is. Steer clear of critical thoughts and caustic comparisons!
There are a few lifestyle changes that may help to minimise the appearance of cellulite: massage, excellent nutrition, pure water hydration, stress management, movement and sweating, and dry-brushing. I love to use the Living Libations CelluLight Formula as part of my daily skincare & dry brushing practice to get the juices flowing and the skin looking smoother.
This CelluLight Formula is a potent combination of botanical essences that tone the skin and help to improve the appearance of cellulite. Carrot seed is a powerful skin-toner, and seabuckthorn berry is nutrient-rich and especially regenerative to the skin. Fennel, juniper, and geranium purify the skin and pare puffiness. Rosemary and grapefruit are toning; they shield skin from exposure to environmental elements, lift sagging tissue, improve the texture of the skin, and give a smoother appearance to the skin. Coffee and lemon stimulate and energise the skin and get the fluids flowing.
It can be used as a dry-brushing oil or it can be massaged directly on to cellulite-prone areas; it’s recommended to focus on those areas for 4-6 weeks. I love this oil, I massage it into my legs and stomach, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft, but firm!
The Ginger Exfoliating Scrub is in my ‘top favourites’ from Living Libations. I have been searching for a good exfoliator for a few months now and I’m soooo glad I’ve tried this one! This scrub has a creamy lotion consistency, with ultra finely ground pumice stone blended in, which is an incredibly porous volcanic rock that has been used to exfoliate rough skin for thousands of years. I love to use this in the shower on wet skin, on my legs, back, and chest. I’ll occasionally also use a small amount on my face to exfoliate, however, I use very light pressure when using this on my face.
Besides the effectiveness of this scrub leaving my skin feeling silky and hydrated, I am just obsessed with the beautiful, pleasant scent. I would describe the scent as tropical almost! It is simply amazing, I feel like I am being pampered in a luxurious Balinese spa every time I use it! The full list of botanical ingredients in the Ginger Exfoliating Scrub are; golden jojoba oil, virgin coconut oil, aloe vera oil, beeswax, bladderwrack seaweed, pumice stone, marshmallow root, slippery elm oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, grapefruit oil, sage + rosemary oil. Such a powerful combination, each of these ingredients are nutritionally dense & regenerative.
I also like how the ginger isn’t too strong in the formulation, it’s not at all overpowering or spicy, just enough to enliven the senses!
I have such a deep appreciation for the Living Libations Verve Tonic & Dry Brush, they’re are a potent power couple, which both play a pivotal role in my lymphatic drainage routine, so I’ve decided to review both products together. I have found over the past few weeks that by committing to daily dry brushing with a few drops of the Verve Tonic, my circulation has dramatically improved and I feel so energised and invigorated after this simple routine. The skin on my legs, glutes, and stomach also has a more toned appearance, which I’m stoked to report!
“A regimen of exercise, conscious breathing, hot/cold plunges, and proper hydration will go a long way to keep your essential juices flowing in forward motion and your inner fire alight. Dry brushing is a time-tested technique of keeping the humours happy, and it may be the best defense against sluggishness and slowing down.” — Living Libations
Dry brushing is a very gentle brushing of the skin to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is right under the surface of the skin, comprising a vast network of capillaries. The dry, stiff bristles of a brush gently sweeping across the skin are just what the body needs to restore your verve and vigor. To begin, I simply pour 1–2 drops of the Verve Tonic on the palm of my hand, and then I glide the dry brush across my palm, coating the bristles. Next, I lightly brush my body, starting at my toes, brushing in the direction of the heart, all the way up to the head.
Botanical oils are an awesome way to enhance dry brushing. The Verve Tonic contains cypress, rosemary, laurel leaf, eucalyptus, and yarrow. Laurel essential oil is the key ingredient in this Verve Tonic. In Advanced Aromatherapy, Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt states, "rubbing a few drops of bay laurel on swollen lymph nodes may have an immediate, noticeable effect. The positive and pleasant effect of this oil is so distinct and strong that one application will normally suffice to convince the most hardened skeptic to use it."
Although there are many places you can get yourself a dry brush, I love this specific ‘energy brush’ from Living Libations, because it optimises the power of negative ions to revitalise, rejuvenate, and relax your body and mind. The oiled beechwood handle is embedded with natural and ethically produced horsehair and bronze bristles comprised of real copper. When brushed against the skin, the bronze bristles generate a burst of negative ions.
We thrive on negatively-charged oxygen ions. They connect us with the earth, and are found in the coastline of a beautiful beach, the elegant rush of a waterfall, each droplet of rain, and every sparkling snowflake. Oxygen ion levels are increased with air friction, which is created by dry-brushing the skin, this has MASSIVE benefits for the body’s circulatory and nervous systems.
I already feel so great doing this simple daily routine, I cannot wait to see & feel further results from dry brushing in months to come!
How to Dry Brush with Essential Oils by Nadine Artemis
It has taken me quite a while to come across a clean body moisturiser that isn’t green-washed with sneaky “naturally synthesised” chemicals in the ingredients list. Having said that, I am so excited to share with you all my thoughts on the Seabuckthorn All Over Lotion. I find that this moisturiser is hydrating enough for the body yet balancing enough for sensitive facial skin, however, I much prefer to use it on my body! It is highly replenishing and is made from such an incredible combination of powerful herbs. In fact, as I’m writing this, I’m currently wanting to run to my room to put some of this on my legs, lol. My skin, particularly my legs, can get quite dry after shaving, or after a full day at the beach under the sun and in the sea. The Seabuckthorn All Over Lotion is something I genuinely look forward to applying as it is deeply nourishing and soothing. I love how it doesn’t leave behind a sticky feeling like most moisturisers or lotions, and it spreads quite easily too which I appreciate!
The ingredients in this lotion are;
spring water, jojoba, tamanu, seabuckthorn, aloe vera, acacia, bladderwrack seaweed, orange wax, marshmallow root, slippery elm, chamomile, chickweed, rosehips, lavender, vetiver, grapefruit, palmarosa, and sage.
This is how I love to use all the Living Libations products mentioned in my lymph-care routine — On a typical day for me, I dry brush with the Verve Tonic, hop in the shower, clean and exfoliate with the Clarifying Clay Soap and the Ginger Scrub, then when I come out of the shower and dry off, I apply the Seabuckthorn All Over Lotion, to my legs, chest/decolletage, and arms, then I apply the CelluLight Formula to certain areas, like my stomach and backs of my thighs. I like to switch up my dry brushing by alternating between the Verve Tonic & CelluLight Formula! I really enjoy both of them :) The bio-active botanical ingredients in all of these products work beautifully together to regenerate, tonify, purify, and encourage fluid flow. I have noticed the biggest differences already in my circulation & skin!
Thank you for reading!
I hope this blog post has in some way educated or inspired you to start supporting your lymphatic system!
Living Libations has brought so much healing, knowledge about health, and fun into my life - I entrust their beautiful products will do the same for you.
Share this blog post with someone you know who would benefit from information, and if you decide to try out any Living Libations products mentioned here, be sure to tag me @olivia.harper ♡
If you have any questions or thoughts to share about this blog post, feel free to drop a comment below, I am looking forward to connecting🌞
Want to Become a Holistic Health Coach?
I studied with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a qualified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. This school & program has changed my life and accelerated this beautiful wellness journey that I find myself on now. Have you played with the idea of becoming a health coach yourself? As an alumni of IIN, I am able to provide a great 4-figure discount on your tuition, so feel free to contact me here and I can refer you directly :)
Wishing wellness & vitality to each and every one of you.
With love,
Liv x