Behind the Mask: On A DPR Level with Meghan Bramwell
DPR SKN is skin care that goes deeper. Our philosophy is about helping people to get on a deeper level with their own skin care by integrating wellness and self-love to promote a healthy lifestyle. Through our products and the Journal, we share our advice, skin care and wellness tips, and overall how to be the best you can be. We love to read interviews and get a glimpse of people’s lives. We see that all day long on social media, and read countless celeb interviews, but let’s get to know each other on a DPR level and get inspired to embrace our natural beauty!
I took a little break from my Behind the Mask features, but they are back! For the newest feature, I chatted with Meghan Bramwell of Renovating Health. She is a true nature beauty, her skin just glows! If you’re looking to focus on your health and make some positive changes, Meghan is definitely the girl you want to talk to. She takes a back to basics approach to health and wellness, which I love! Meghan shares all about her health journey, what she does with Renovating Health and so much more! Let’s get to know Meghan on a DPR Level...
Tell us a little about yourself.. age, where you live, what you do, etc.
My name’s Meghan and I’m 22 years old. I grew up in Southern California and moved to Portland, Oregon last December with my fiancé, Cooper. I recently graduated from UCLA with a degree in psychology! In my last two years of college, the majority of my classes were focused on analyzing all different types of empirical research - from social behavior, child & adolescent development, to health psychology. It was during this time that my eyes were opened to the extraordinary amount of revolutionary empirical research that has been published, but not applied in day-to-day life. Unfortunately, the vast majority of individuals do not have access to scientific journals and are often times unable to interpret their data & findings. I realized that the science in regards to health & wellness needed to be shared in a digestible manner.
My health journey began 5 years ago—and has definitely changed my life. In June of this year, I completed my Nutritional Therapy Practitioner certification through the NTA (Nutritional Therapy Association). It’s 9-month course allowed me to dive deeper into how diet, lifestyle, & mental health have a significant affect on the human body.
I launched my website, Renovating Health, in September 2019 to educate & empower others to take health back into their own hands. Which we will dive into below!
Congrats on Renovating Health and launching your consulting programs. Let’s talk more about that!
Renovating Health began as a passion for empowering every demographic with the knowledge that is necessary to place the resources for optimal health into one’s own hands. Today, I write & share evidence-based articles & easy, nutrient-dense recipes on a weekly basis. In July of this year, I re-launched Renovating Health and began taking one-on-one clients as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. As an NTP, I take a foundational, holistic approach to wellness that focuses on the importance of a properly prepared, nutrient-dense diet paired with a well-balanced lifestyle. With more chronic disease & ailments originating from nutritional deficiencies than ever before, I provide clients with diet, lifestyle, & supplement recommendations to support the healthiest version of themselves.
In my senior year at UCLA, I learned that the top 5 chronic diseases in the United States are preventable. This inspired me to renovate the way that the modern world views preventable health practices.
Have you always been interested in healthy eating or what led you to your health journey?
I haven’t always been interested in healthy eating. However, growing up I was always aware of what made me feel good. I was always very active — I loved sports & spending anytime I could, outdoors. I grew up eating what other kids & families typically ate. In late high school, I noticed a huge shift in the way that I felt. I no longer felt good like I did as a kid. My body was changing, I felt unmotivated & overall less joyful. I wanted to make a change in my life, but had no idea how or where to start. That’s where I fell into the diet culture trap. I was taught that the fewer the calories, the better, to avoid bread & carbs at all costs, and that becoming vegan or vegetarian is the only path to good health. I lost weight drastically and I lost my period. I quickly realized that this idea of “health” that was fed to me by diet culture & society was nowhere near healthy.
What are some of your favorite healthy snacks to replace processed foods?
I work from home so it is easy for me to whip up a quick snack. In the afternoon, I like to reach for something sweet. That either looks like some sort of fruit & nut butter, organic dark chocolate, or the raw cookie dough bites from my website! If I’m going to be out & about I always pack snacks. I preach a whole-foods based diet, but I like everyone else, love snacks & the occasional “junk food” - only made with better-for-you ingredients. I believe we shouldn’t deprive ourselves, just look for healthy options. You can find a few of my favorite options here:
Better for You Junk Food Favorites
Let’s talk about your thoughts on stress and anxiety and how that affects our bodies and skin.
I never really struggled with stress and anxiety, until I went on birth control in my freshman year of college. When I stopped taking the pill, I started experiencing moderate to severe hormonal acne.
Stress is one of my biggest triggers for breakouts. In short, stress produces excess stress hormones (cortisol and adrenal androgens) and inflammatory cytokines (lead to increased inflammation), which up-regulate the sebaceous glands within the skin (causing the skin to over-produce oil, which can clog pores). In return, we often experience more breakouts when we are stressed.
How I have learned to manage my anxiety:
Switching out coffee for matcha. I wrote a whole article on this topic because I am so passionate about matcha! Matcha not only contains an abundance of antioxidants (necessary for skin health), but an amino acid known as L-Theonine.
L-Theonine is a feel-good amino acid that is known to have a significant stress-reducing effect in the brain.
Cutting out carbohydrates in the morning. I’m not one for restricting food groups, but I do notice a significant difference in my overall anxiety throughout the day when I have a breakfast packed with protein & healthy fats. Carbohydrates can spike blood glucose levels, leading to increased stress within the body.
Ashwagandha & magnesium glycinate supplements work wonders for me.
What are your biggest skin care concerns? How do you overcome them?
My biggest skincare concern is hormonal acne. I’m not perfect, my skin isn’t perfect. Although I am at the point where I have very few to no breakouts at a given time, a few days before my period, I will always notice more blemishes. That’s when I tend to be the most aware of what I am consuming, how I am exercising, and ensuring I get plenty of good-quality sleep.
I believe that taking care of your skin goes so much deeper than just what you apply topically, I have a little series that highlights Skin Loving Foods. My body is so sensitive to what I eat, if I eat too much sugar or dairy, new breakouts always pop up on my cheeks. I’d love to know in your experience which foods you’ve noticed really make a positive difference in skin complexion.
My top recommendations include…
Omega-3’s: sardines, salmon, pasture-raised eggs, hemp seeds, chia seeds
Healthy fats: olive oil, natural nut butters, avocados, grass-fed butter or ghee
Gut healing foods: bone broth, fermented foods, probiotics
For women in particular, regularly incorporating liver-detoxifying foods: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, & kale), raw carrots, bitter greens such as dandelion greens & arugula, herbs, garlic, organic green tea
Grass-fed collagen & gelatin for gut health (provide an abundance of the amino acid glutamine)
Turmeric for anti-inflammatory properties
Plenty of water: ½ your body weight, in ounces
What are the top foods to avoid if you’re struggling with acne?
Mainly the things we all grew up eating…
Elimination of omega-6 oils to reduce inflammation: canola, soybean, corn oil, vegetable oils
Elimination of refined carbohydrates & sugar for blood sugar regulation
Gluten & dairy tend to be the most inflammatory foods to the gut, which in return inflame the skin. I recommend removing these food groups only to those who notice a significant difference in their skin, digestion, or energy levels.
How do you incorporate the Clay Mask into your skin care routine?
My favorite way to incorporate the Clay Mask is as a spot treatment. Since I work from home, this may be putting it on during the day as I am recipe testing or doing research. I love how the Clay Mask dries. It dries so smoothly that you can wear it under makeup if you choose. It allows for a protective healing barrier for your blemish, while still going about your day!
“I love applying the Clay Mask as a spot treatment and rub it in all the way while I’m working.”
How do you take care of yourself on a deeper level (what do you do to stay active, healthy, and embrace your natural beauty?)
To me, beauty comes from within. This means focusing on what I am putting into and on my body, not depriving myself, taking the time to check in with my mental health, and putting energy into the relationships around me.
Any last words or advice?!
Listen to your body.
Stop listening to all the noise! In the information age we are in, we have access to so much information—sometimes too much. Go inward, trust your body.
Everyone starts somewhere!
Health is a spectrum. It can be extremely overwhelming to begin a new health journey. Often times, individuals don’t know where to start. Implement one thing at a time and slowly build upon that. If you start today, a year from now you will be able to reflect back on the sizable progress you have made towards a healthier, happier life.
For more information on Meghan, Renovating Health and her consulting programs, visit her site here
Instagram: @renovating_health
We want to hear from you… Interested in being featured or have questions about the Clay Mask? Comment below or email us at hello@dprskn.com
