Tula’s Founder Shares Her Must-Have Products, Gut Health Tips, and More
:upscale()/2024/01/29/965/n/1922153/79fbf9e365b82234471d92.19996279_.jpg)
As a practicing gastroenterologist, Roshini Raj, MD, noticed the correlation between good gut health and healthy skin, especially in those taking probiotics or eating probiotic-rich foods. Her fascination with the benefits of probiotics only grew from there and eventually drove the creation of Tula Skincare.
"The connection between probiotics and the skin is what I really want to explore, and I think it can really make a difference in the skin-care world," she tells POPSUGAR. The line, which first hit the market in 2014, uses probiotic extracts and superfoods to help nourish the skin's barrier and microbiome.
"Pro means for, and bio means life, so a probiotic is something beneficial to your life," says Dr. Raj, noting that in our gut, the bacteria or organisms that help digest and break down our foods, or our gut bacteria, are the probiotics. Prebiotics, which can often be found in high-fiber foods, fuel the growth of your probiotics. "You can think of your probiotics as flowers in this field of your gut; the prebiotics are the fertilizer that you sprinkle on them to help them grow," she says. Probiotics and prebiotics have a symbiotic relationship and can be consumed together at any time of the day.
According to Dr. Raj, the key to improving your skin through gut health is maintaining the gut's lining. Eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough probiotics or fiber in your diet can weaken it. "If that lining is compromised, so if there are tiny little holes in those in the lining, then it is easier for those pro-inflammatory molecules to pass into your blood and trigger inflammation throughout your body," says Dr. Raj. "When you have inflammation throughout your body, you definitely will see it in your skin as well." This can happen in the form of acne, redness, or premature wrinkle formation over time since inflammation weakens the collagen and elastin in the skin.
"Probiotic extracts, which is what we use, have a very soothing effect on your skin. They basically have this kind of anti-inflammatory effect that can help with redness. Reducing inflammation can make your skin look firmer, softer, more supple, and hydrated because the probiotic extracts actually increase your skin's defense barrier. The prebiotics help the probiotics do their work, and they help balance your own skin microbiome," she says.
To really get a gut check (get it?), Dr. Raj says the first place you should look is your bowel movements and see how your abdomen feels. "If you're having a lot of bloating, a lot of noise in your stomach, irregularities in bowel frequency or shape, or feeling pain, those are reasons why you'd want to get your gut checked," she says. Her go-to tips for improving your gut health are to consume a healthy amount of fiber, get enough sleep, and exercise. "A lot of people don't understand how interconnected your gut health is with everything else in your body and your lifestyle. You really do need to be focusing holistically. If you're sleeping three hours a night or super stressed for weeks on end, no matter what supplement you're taking, your gut is not going to be in good shape."
She recommends meditation and deep breathing to help care for your gut as well, noting how powerful the mind-gut connection is. "Everyone has experiences like butterflies in your stomach," she says. "If you're nervous or excited, you feel it in your stomach. Those brain chemicals are working down there."
When she's not seeing patients and innovating with Tula, she enjoys watching British mystery shows, spending quality time with her kids, and diving into her current read, "The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese. Ahead, we asked Dr. Raj about her favorite products, from the best mattress to invest in and her most used Tula product. Keep reading to check out her must haves and learn more gut health tips, too. (And to really study up on the topic, you can check our her book, "Gut Renovation".)
:upscale()/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/ff6fefb865b7441faf0374.58540194_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
Dr. Roshini Raj's Affordable Must Have
"Because of my wacky schedule, I sometimes have to wash my face four to five times a day - between the hospital, the gym, TV makeup, etc.," says Dr. Raj. The Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser ($34) is a gentle option that can effectively take off the day, including makeup, dirt, and pollution. Dr. Raj notes that it never leaves her skin feeling stripped or tight. "It has the probiotic extracts, which themselves have a very soothing, calming effect on the skin, but also, white tea extract, and other nourishing and calming ingredients," she says.
It's also an editor-favorite; check out our review of the Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser here.
Pro Tip: Due to its refreshing scent, Dr. Raj also suggests taking a moment to inhale and take a self-care moment while cleansing your skin.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/ff6fefb865b7441faf0374.58540194_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/d6986d3f65b744201871f3.37779394_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
Dr. Roshini Raj's Investment Must Have
"The more I learn about sleep, its health benefits, and the connection between the gut, [the more] I prioritize it," Dr. Raj says. "Anything I can do to make my bedroom a sleep haven and a better environment for sleep, I think is a worthy investment." After a relaxing staycation at a Ritz hotel, she fell in love with the mattress they had. In fact, she had fallen asleep for 14 hours, so she researched the exact mattress she slept on and got one for herself.
As a side sleeper, she notes the firmness of the Ritz Carlton Mattress ($3,096, originally $3,440) is just right for her needs. "Because I got like the pillow top version, you just feel like you're floating on cushions and just stepping into this relaxing part of your day," she says.
Pro Tip: Dr. Raj also recommends investing in a heated mattress pad. "It's a whole other level of coziness," she says. "I put it on like an hour before I'm going to go to bed, especially in the winter."
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/22/749/n/44344577/shoptZvKxj.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/e7d35bf265b74420705384.09277169_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
Dr. Roshini Raj's Morning Routine Must Have
"No matter whether I am traveling or at home, I always start the day with mixed berries, Fage Total 0% Milkfat Plain Greek Yogurt ($8), and Fiber One Original Bran Breakfast Cereal ($7). I also add chia seeds and flax seeds," Dr. Raj says. "For me, this is like an anti-aging breakfast." Starting her day with this meal helps her feel like she's setting her body up for success. "It's simple and delicious. You get the sweetness of the fruit, you get the crunch from the fiber cereal, and the probiotics from the yogurt."
Pro Tip: She also likes to start her mornings with the Tula Daily Dose Advanced Daily Probiotic Skin Complex ($44), which has a blend of both probiotics and prebiotics.
"All of these things are meant to improve your gut health, and when your gut is healthy, you feel good, you feel light, you feel energized," she says. "It helps with things like bloating or bowel irregularities."
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/4e20424e65b744378c8997.95380149_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/dbb37c0a65b744409aeed6.80747831_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/33d5148465b7444c70afa2.83101657_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/56316c7f65b74420c958a2.77453177_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
Dr. Roshini Raj's Sleep Must Have
Dr. Raj prioritizes her sleep by making sure the environment is calm and distraction-free. One way she does this is by using the Hatch Restore 2 ($200). "The light gradually increasing, mimicking the sun, is really great for our circadian rhythms. I think that's a much smoother, gentler way to wake up" she says. She especially likes the noise machine function, which helps her fall asleep and block out the outside noises. "They are designed to have a certain frequency that is the most conducive to sleep and relaxation."
Pro Tip: Dr. Raj advises us not to eat too close to bedtime. "Gravity is your friend," she says. "When you're lying down soon after eating, all the acid and even sometimes the food in your stomach has a tendency to come upwards toward your esophagus." This can cause burning and discomfort, so it's best to keep meals light before sleep.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/56316c7f65b74420c958a2.77453177_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/9ab2e0df65b744213e6b12.32474942_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)
Dr. Roshini Raj's Travel Must Have
Dr. Raj always travels with a bag of raw and unseasoned almonds, like the Blue Diamond Whole Natural Almonds ($13). "With long flights and jet lag, I tend to get hungry at weird times, and it's not easy to find healthy options in airports or hotels. A handful of almonds does the trick of tiding me over until I figure out my next proper meal," she says. It's a portable snack that can fit in your purse or carry-on pocket. She also recommends walnuts or peanuts if you're not a fan of almonds. "They're a great source of protein and satisfying. They make you feel full, so it's a great alternative to an unhealthy snack."
Pro Tip: Dr. Raj's biggest travel tip is to make sure you are consuming enough fiber. These foods help regulate your system.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/01/28/307/n/1922153/9ab2e0df65b744213e6b12.32474942_PS24_01_Tast.jpg)