Indie Lee is a lady who exudes a really grounded kind of pleasure, minus any of the attention roll-inducing discuss we now have come to count on from a few of her fellow ‘clear’ skincare model founders. (There’s a contact of the upstate New York hippy, to make sure, however she’d be the primary one to chuckle at that evaluation.) She approaches her work and her life with widespread sense in addition to curiosity, each essential traits which might be seemingly rarer now than ever. She can be right down to earth, sincere, and courageous; not solely is she a mind most cancers survivor who now lives with the every day difficulties of an autoimmune illness, however she sees the significance of looking for out the gray – or perhaps that ought to be the color – in life, of not falling into the entice of solely issues when it comes to black and white. Indie shares with us why ‘clear’ magnificence means a lot extra to her than getting het up about particular substances, and her sturdy perception within the significance of taking good care of your self not solely by listening to consultants and following good science, but additionally via studying to belief and love your individual physique.
“Just as a result of one thing is labelled ‘clear’, you should still react to it.
Mine is just one of many skincare traces on the market, and I’ll solely have one product inside that line that’s best for you. You don’t want twelve steps all from one model, and nobody model could be all issues to all folks.
There is a lot worry mongering round in the mean time. Everyone is litigious and vipers are simply ready so that you can say the unsuitable factor.
Even although my model is botanically primarily based, I’m not personally towards artificial substances. Minerals, salts, even water could be good or dangerous to your well being relying on how a lot or how little you ingest. We must strategy substances sensibly, and keep away from throwing across the phrases ‘poisonous’ or ‘non-toxic’. Just have a look at peanuts! Entirely pure, one thing generally ingested, and but actually poisonous for some folks to the purpose of being deadly. We can’t depend on umbrella phrases and apply them to all conditions.
As a model that sells globally, we observe whichever nation or physique units probably the most stringent requirements concerning the substances we use in order that we will then promote to all markets; in the mean time, they’re those set by the EU. For us, ‘clear’ shouldn’t be about avoiding or together with sure substances in a blanket method; it’s about our total outlook, and an enormous a part of that’s our environmental footprint.
Sustainability is essential to our total manufacturing course of. It actually is extra detailed than you may think about – we even want to contemplate what’s used to scrub the vats our merchandise are made in. In phrases of our packaging, in the mean time 20% of the glass we use is PCR (post-consumer recycled), and we’re working in the direction of 40% of the plastic we use being PCR. Of course, the packaging nonetheless must be suitable with the product, and a few merchandise are simpler than others to accommodate in additional environmentally-friendly packaging. Our present problem is wanting into what we will do about our single-use pads.
Indie with daughter Emily
IMAGE: INSTAGRAM @indie_lee
I’m not the decide and jury and am not right here to name out different manufacturers. I’m very a lot an 80/20 lady, when it comes to making the perfect choices I can the vast majority of the time, whereas additionally acknowledging that, for all kinds of causes, that’s not potential to do all the time.
We have to recollect every one in every of us is completely different. This isn’t a cop out – it’s a reminder when there’s simply a lot judgement on the market. People tend to take one factor they learn as gospel and never take into consideration the place the data is coming from or who it’s supposed for. Knowledge is energy, after which what you do with that energy is your alternative. For occasion, I may give you skincare recommendation from my viewpoint, but when your physician is telling you to do or not do one thing, nicely… I’m not a physician! We should observe the science and take heed to individuals who know probably the most about any given problem, not simply maintain regurgitating sound bites.
Indie being sincere about the necessity to head again to mattress throughout one in every of her autoimmune flareups.
IMAGE: INSTAGRAM @indie_lee
For me, the aim of dwelling is about connecting with and empowering each other.
I attempt to be appreciative of each expertise I’ve. If I’ve a nasty day, I look within the mirror and say to myself that it’s okay to not be okay. Women must shout this, as we’re not being heard, even by ourselves. And, after all, males really feel it too.
I’m all about intestine well being as one of many keys to general well being.
Seamus Mullins is a chef who has written books about easing his extreme autoimmune illness by specializing in intestine well being, and so they’re actually useful assets. I discover myself significantly motivated to eat a non-inflammatory weight loss program after my very own flare ups. I steadiness how I really feel with medicines, meals, and even sure topicals that may actually do the speaking, like my beloved I-Recover Mind & Body Gel. (Ed. notice: when my very own autoimmune points flare up and depart me scorching and aching, I too have discover this product to be such a cooling, calming assist that it’s earned a everlasting spot in my bedside drawer.)
Self-care has one way or the other change into related to self-indulgence, when it actually ought to be about precisely what it says – taking good care of your self.
The pores and skin is our largest organ, so it’s not nearly taking good care of the portion of it that’s in your face. I really like dry brushing, therapeutic massage, and reflexology. Keeping your pores and skin barrier’s well being intact is crucial, so take note of what you employ to cleanse your pores and skin. I really like oils *Dry oil spritz* to assist keep the barrier’s integrity, and for the gorgeous aroma so a lot of them have. Make taking good care of your physique a ritual. Be gradual, take your time, therapeutic massage your pores and skin, take note of your coronary heart price. Tune in to your self. We get so uncomfortable with our our bodies, to the purpose that they’re usually a supply of embarrassment, so use this time as an actual alternative to attach with your self.
As a Buddhist, my bodily location isn’t so essential to me as how I really feel spiritually. It could also be simpler to really feel extra grounded when your physique is in nature, however you’ll be able to nonetheless be in an excellent city atmosphere and Zen your self out.
Having stated that, I’m undoubtedly my happiest when I’m by the water. It’s rhythmic, and it energises me. Otherwise, I really like seeing the modifications in my backyard every season. And I really like simply spending time hanging out inside the home, too, haha! I actually worth the aspect of play, and worth being current, and each are simple to overlook out on. My household and I all received nearer throughout COVID – it introduced a second of pause, which helped us to grasp we have already got all of it.”
Zenning out at house with pup Miley
IMAGE: INSTAGRAM @indie_lee
Interview and story by Zoe Briggs. Images, together with important header picture, through Instagram @indie_lee.
