Building London Grant Co., a beauty-forward wellness brand, is the last thing that I saw for myself. I'd struggled with skin and weight challenges brought on by hormone imbalances for what felt like an eternity. Years of seeing "I-woke-up-like-this" flawless skin and naturally thin bodies projected in the media impacted the relationship I had with my own body. I thought, "Who am I to tell anyone about clean skincare?" But, after years of taking control of my well-living journey and overcoming those negative body images, I've realized that I'm just the girl for the job.

I was well into my adult years when a gynecologist casually told me that I had a classic case of something called "PCOS." I'll never forget the way that she said it because it was as if she assumed that I already knew. Thanks to Doctor Google, I had actually researched PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, for years prior to that day, so it didn't necessarily knock me off my chair. I felt a rush of relief, thinking "Oh, so that was it all along." But then the questions flooded in with the chief one being "But does this mean that I can't have children?"

For anyone struggling with hormone imbalances, know that you're not alone. Western society has made it taboo to openly discuss anything related to female reproductive health.

PCOS is a fairly common endocrine dysfunction that typically presents during reproductive years, although it can be present in adolescence. Studies show that 1 in 10 women have PCOS and typically develop symptoms like irregular periods, hair thinning, severe cystic acne, weight gain, and even hirsutism or male-pattern facial hair. Many women go years without a proper diagnosis, and nearly 80% will experience infertility.

My OB/GYN was right—I am a fairly textbook case of PCOS. What I didn't realize was that PCOS was a symptom of a bigger picture of my overall health. I'll turn 34 in August and I've spent nearly 21 years of my life battling these inexplicable hormone imbalances.

I had conditions ranging from depression, thyroid disorders, full-body eczema, acne, chronic fatigue, and alopecia, or giant patches of hair loss. There were days when I couldn't get out of bed or I'd wear jeans to the beach to cover the rash scars on my legs.

One day, against my endocrinologist's advice, I stopped taking my thyroid medication. I started working out with the little bit of energy I could muster and incorporated a primarily plant- and seafood-based diet. I felt better than I ever had in my entire life and realized that I could actually treat the underlying cause of my condition, rather than just addressing individual symptoms.

So while I'd begun detoxing my body internally, I knew that I needed to detox the world around me.

My Oprah "Aha!" moment came when I started seeing a functional medicine practitioner. At this point, I was completely vegan, which was making a huge difference in my body's ability to self-regulate. My periods were normal-ish, my skin was clear, and I was able to maintain a healthy weight. But anxiety and depression seemed to be coming back to the forefront again. With functional medicine, I was finally able to get a holistic picture of my endocrine system and the ways that testosterone, estrogen, insulin, and progesterone were all playing together—all of which needed to be supported.

Much like 2020, my health has been a long and winding road. The bliss that makes it all worth it was becoming "naturally" pregnant with my second son after receiving reproductive and fertility support during my first pregnancy.

When I had my first son, I started to laser focus on everything I put in and on my body. I felt a strong urge to protect and care for this life growing inside of me—it wasn't just about me anymore. Well, maybe it was about me a little bit. My pregnant belly seemed to double in size every day, and all I could think about was "How do I prevent stretch-marks?!" I realized that the products I thought were natural and safe were filled with chemical preservatives, known to impact our hormones. During that time, I learned that women are exposed to an average of 160 to 500 chemicals in their daily routine, with women of color being exposed to even higher levels of toxic chemicals.

While I'd begun detoxing my body internally, I knew that I needed to detox the world around me. It started with creating my own belly-loving and truly natural body butter. It was my saving grace, which would later become the London Grant Co. hero product. I progressed into a focus on removing toxins from our household cleaning products and decreasing our use of plastics.

When I launched London Grant Co., I wanted to focus just as much attention on what we left out and what we would put in. I used well-researched, plant-forward ingredients that delivered real nutrients to the body and left out harmful synthetic stabilizers and preservatives. Because we know that 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, London Grant become more than a beauty brand—we're truly rooted in well-living.

In the days of 12-step beauty rituals, I advocate for a "less is so much more" approach to skincare and overall health. I believe that there's so much joy in shifting from the perfect skin and body narrative to one rooted in a balanced relationship with yourself. For anyone struggling with hormone imbalances, know that you're not alone. Western society has made it taboo to openly discuss anything related to female reproductive health.

Some ways that I support hormone balancing are to engage in plant-based eating to reduce inflammation and taking supportive supplements and herbs such as adaptogens, probiotics, magnesium, and B-12. It's also helpful to take inventory of products you're using on your body, skin, and home. I like to start with the small step of observing and removing synthetic fragrances and preservatives. After all, how great is the uplifting scent of eucalyptus if it's actually harmful to your body?

In many ways, I believe that we have been sold a glass skin dream. While achievable for some, for others, a good skin day is the one where you love what you see in the mirror, knowing you've made decisions that were best for your whole body.

For those struggling with acne-prone skin, I love the practice of oil cleansing. It promotes good bacteria, protects the natural lipid layer of the skin, and regulates excess oil production.

Above all, I always suggest seeking out a functional or holistic medicine practitioner that will support your overall wellness goals.

It's taken years to overcome the emotional and mental strain of having such complex skin and hormone difficulties. I can truly say that perfection is no longer my personal standard, and I spend a lot of time with our customers advocating for their wellness.

In many ways, I believe that we have been sold a glass skin dream. While achievable for some, for others, a good skin day is the one where you love what you see in the mirror, knowing you've made decisions that were best for your whole body.

While they are things that I have to monitor and actively manage for the rest of my life, PCOS and thyroid disorders haven't beaten me. I have a beautiful son and a new baby on the way—something I never thought possible. I have less brain fog and fatigue, and my cycles are more regulated. I'm able to manage my weight, and I feel more energetic (as much as any pregnant mama in the middle of a global pandemic could, that is).

I now focus on bringing joy into the lives of others. Every bottle that I package and ship out feels like a hug that I'm sending to a friend. My hope is that I can encourage others to reimagine how they care for themselves. We all deserve a life lived well.


WRITTEN BY

Tiffany Staten