We Tested Redmond's Hydration, Protein, Seasoning & Skincare Products: Here's What Midlife Women Should Know
- Brooke Amidei
- 5 days ago
- 15 min read
Erika and I were introduced to Redmond when they partnered with us for Babble's Balance: A Perimenopause Journey event in Utah where they are based. Although we were familiar with their Real Salt brand, we weren't as familiar with their entire menu of products.
The morning of the our event, Erika and I went for a hike in the Utah mountains and brought along some Re-Lyte Hydration packets that Redmond was gifting to all of our attendees, so we could try them out for ourselves.
It was truly love at first sip.
I wish there was a recording of the two of us as we were talking about how it just tasted "real"- not full of of a bunch of junk like some of the other hydration products we'd become accustomed to. And we love the variety of unique flavors (hello pina colada!). In that moment we knew we wanted to learn more about Redmond, their mission and the science behind it.
Since then we've been trying as many of Redmond's products as we could get our hands on, and we've been dying to share our honest feedback with you. Friend-to-friend. Mom-to-mom. This is what we would tell you if you were sitting across from us at a coffee shop or while we're chatting waiting for our kids to get out of practice.
We are passionate about Babbling about what is working in our worlds because as women and moms we are all too busy to be figuring it all out on our own. Babble wants to take you along as we learn about why minerals are important, why they should be on every midlife women's radar and how to incorporate them into your daily lives too and have you and your family start reaping the rewards.
Learning about Redmond was extra fun because they were kind enough to bring our entire Babble Panel (16 additional women) along for the ride, sharing their products so we could see how they work in all types of families and situations. The Babbling has been strong with this one, and we're excited to share it with you below!
These simple wellness upgrades have elevated our daily hydration, our spice cabinets and meals, our skincare routines, our immunity defenses, our protein intake...basically our everyday lives.
Why Is Salt Important?
And why that other white powder is the real enemy.
Erika is the researcher of our pair and I have always loved getting her perspective after one of her deep dives. Below she is sharing her biggest takeaways and aha moments, and why all of this is particularly important in midlife.
Salt is essential to life. People and cultures dating back thousands of years treated salt as sacred, important, life-giving. That is not by accident. Your body needs salt to survive. It does not need sugar for survival. Salt helps keep your body's fluids balanced, it's used in nerve transmissions, cell function and so much more. You cannot survive without it.
Did you know our bodies essentially have a "salt thermostat" built in? Our bodies tell us when we need more salt or less in our diet. Salt is one of our five main taste receptors. We have a built in system to regulate salt cravings. Sugar? Not even close. The receptors in our brain that are activated when we eat sugar are the same ones activated by cocaine or other addictive substances. Salt doesn't do that.
For almost one hundred years we've been told that salt is bad for us. It will cause heart problems, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. That claim came from a couple of doctors in the 1920s and was not based on science or data or experiments or research. It was based on a few assumptions and correlations.
More recent research shows just the opposite: that a higher salt diet can actually help prevent these diseases along with many other health problems we face today. In fact a recent study showed that a low-salt diet can actually lead to insulin resistance. But the right salt matters too.
Processed table salt loses its natural minerals, is bleached and then loaded with additives (like anti-caking agents, sugars and dextrose). Redmond's salt is different. It's natural. No additives. No bleaching. They keep all those good minerals in there too. You can taste the difference.
The Real Salt Taste Test:
One of our Babble Panel members, Romy, decided to really put this to the test trying Redmond's Real Salt next to a regular table salt.
"Took the salt taste test. Real Salt is the real winner.
So much more flavorful and has more depth to the actual salty flavor." --Romy
Redmond's Real Salt is the the foundation flagship product of the company. You have to try it to fully understand it and it was hands down one of the biggest swaps the entire Babble Panel quickly made and stuck with.
Why Is Salt Important In Midlife?
Salt/sodium is a major component of hydration. You need salt along with fluids to keep your body hydrated and functioning. Dehydration is happening all the time - sleeping, talking, breathing, sitting, thinking. Did you know you can lose 500-1600mg of sodium just while you sleep? And the symptoms of dehydration are very similar to the symptoms of perimenopause: irritability, fatigue, dizziness/loss of balance, brain fog, muscle cramps, headaches, thirst. That hot flash you just had? You were sweating, heart beating a little faster, brain working a little harder to make yourself comfortable...those functions all needed sodium and fluids to function. Staying hydrated in midlife is crucial.
During midlife, hormone changes, activity levels and changes to body composition directly impact how women regulate fluids and electrolytes. We're also more susceptible to changes in the temperature - less heat tolerant. And those hormones are impacting changes in our GI system too - something that can benefit from good, consistent hydration.
Your bones? Hydration isn't directly a treatment for osteoporosis, but maintaining adequate hydration supports normal body function and helps you maintain activity levels, which, in turn, impact your bone health. (Read more about bone health here.)
As you can see, especially in midlife, it is absolutely critical we stay on top of our hydration. And, seriously, the easiest way to do that is with good products and a good system.
It's probably safe to say that most of us have been told our whole lives that salt is bad, be careful about how much salt you ingest each day. But that was all wrong. We need salt. But more importantly, we need good, high quality salt, to live our best lives.
If you want to dive into this more, check out The Salt Fix book, written by Dr. James DiNicolantonio.
Real Salt: A Midlife Rescue Kit
Realistic wellness for middle-aged women and their families.
Now we know why salt matters, and why quality salt matters too. But when I first looked into Redmond, I figured it was mainly for ultra-athletes training for marathons and mountain runs. Nope. Bravo to those motivated souls, but this stuff is for every human. Every single one of us.
We want ingredients we can trust. But also, this needs to taste good. We've tried plenty of drink mixes and protein powders with great labels that taste like cardboard or pond water, and that's not exactly motivating anyone. Redmond nails both. Real ingredients, salt mined in Utah in the good ol' US of A, and a taste that doesn't feel like a punishment.
It shines even brighter for us midlife ladies. Our bodies are changing fast. Hydration is non-negotiable, protein even more so, all while we're still getting dinner on the table, often for a teen athlete trying to gain or maintain weight. Redmond has us covered on both fronts.
Why We Made The Switch
So many products, so much confusion. Redmond cut through the noise. Does anyone else get that mom high watching your kids eat something actually good for them? I've had it since they were tiny, watching fruits and veggies fuel their growing bodies and brains. Teenagers now, and that feeling hasn't budged.
Redmond products naturally fit into the daily lives of midlife women because they are:
clean
effective
realistic
versatile
easy to incorporate
family-friendly
genuinely enjoyable to use
Tiny Midlife Wellness Upgrades That Felt Doable & Stuck
This was the fun part. The research had been done, products shared with the entire Babble Panel team and we were excited to put it to the test! Here's what we did:
7 Day Challenge: Hydration Before Coffee
We started with one week of morning electrolytes before coffee! We were already completely sold on the Re-Lyte hydration product, but what about timing of when to enjoy it each day? Erika and I are both early risers with morning routines strongly in place. This addition was a little tough to master so I was happy that we committed to trying it for a full week, no excuses.
How'd it go? I had to go back and screenshot the message I sent to Redmond on Instagram after Day 2 of my Re-Lyte hydration before coffee experiment:
I felt noticeably different!
Babble Panel member, Erin, especially loved the midlife upgrade of hydration before coffee. She found that when she enjoyed her Re-Lyte first thing in the morning, she ended up wanting less coffee and it curbed her appetite a bit.
Each Babble Panel member found their own favorite time (and flavor) for their daily Re-Lyte:
Nicole (Watermelon Lime)- to ward off the afternoon slump
Erika (Lemon-Lime)- to replenish after a day in the sun/working out
Kali (Pina Colada)- during her Peloton Power Zone rides
Gretchen (Grapefruit)- on her drive to work
Tarah (Mojjto)- as a mocktail (or even a cocktail)
Kate (Strawberry Lemonade)- whenever she can get it in while chasing a toddler
Erin (Grape)- first thing in the morning
Every life and body is different but we found that it was helpful to establish a personalized daily routine to include this hydration component. Once established, it was awesome because we all found we were looking forward to it!
I can't express it enough here: the only person who didn't fall completely in love with Re-Lyte was my mom who has never drank hydration products. The rest of us? We're ditching our old electrolyte drink mixes and enthusiastically moving to Redmond's Re-Lyte. It's just that good.
We put the seasonings to the the taste test right away, adding it to our weekly cooking in our kitchens across the country. The Taco Seasoning was one of the first swaps everyone made. And again, seriously, we knew right away this was a product we will be coming back to again and again. The best way I can describe it is that if tasted real, more natural, and just more flavorful. Like you could taste that this product was not only delicious, but that it was better for your body. No brainer for this swap, especially at the great price point. This is not more expensive than any other product I would be purchasing.
Other Seasoning Standouts with the Babble Team:
All of these were easily incorporated into our daily meals and have already secured a spot in our cupboards from here on out.
🧂Organic Garlic Salt on freaking everything! Is there any dish that isn't improved without a little garlic salt? This one has a really big flavor profile enriching so many meals.
🧂Erika cooks a lot and keeps kosher salt in a dish near her stove for a pinch of that and this whenever needed. After trying Redmond's Real Salt Kosher Salt, she literally dumped out all other salt products in her kitchen and replaced them with Redmonds Kosher Salt. Not only is it more flavorful, you can use less to get the same impact and flavor profile.
🧂Anissa on our Babble Panel said that she loved the Season Salt so much that it replaced the Lawry's Seasoned Salt that she has used her entire life! I am also a sucker for a Season Salt, but always feel like they're packed full of so much crud. This one is so flavorful and delicious, and I feel like I'm actually doing something good for my body! Bonus!
🧂My husband has been experimenting more with the Red Rock BBQ and the Hickory. He's feeling like such a chef, and to be honest, the food at our dinner table has been better for it.
🧂Another favorite for grilling was the Chef's Blend Smoked Real Salt. Erika used this as a rub on a steak, then added a little to the mashed potatoes she paired with it that night for dinner. Huge hit!
🧂Erika's big standout and first product she quickly adopted into her kitchen routine was the Chili-Lime Seasoning. She keeps this right next to her pepper grinder and Redmond Kosher Salt and adds it to eggs, chicken, ground beef... And her new favorite...
Chipotle Lime Rice:
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Redmond's Chili-Lime Seasoning + Real Kosher Salt to taste
Want more recipes? Check out Redmond's library of delicious recipes and get inspiration for how to incorporate their products here.
All of us in midlife are hearing nonstop about protein, and not just for ourselves during perimenopause, but for our growing kids too. I had no idea it would become such a daily focus, so we were excited to try Redmond's Roots Protein Powder.
I started tossing it in my morning smoothies and liked it right away, but my new favorite (thanks to Erika's encouragement) is mixing it straight into cold water. Sounds too simple to be good. It's SO good.
Vanilla is my go-to before a morning workout. I've never actually liked the taste of plain protein powder before, always doctoring it up with peanut butter powder or whatever else was in the pantry. Roots, straight up? Delish. I actually look forward to drinking it, and my stomach feels great, no bloat.
Babble panel member, Erin, blew our minds with her protein ice cream hack! You read that right: ice cream with protein...oh and you make it at home and it's super easy. (Thank us later.)
Protein Ice Cream
Using a Ninja Creami...
2 servings of Redmond Roots Protein Powder (2 scoops or 2 single-serve packets)
12 ounces almond milk
Shake in protein shaker to blend well. Pour that into the Ninja Creami container, and freeze overnight. Put in Ninja Creami the next day and process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. Then scoop it out, top it with your favorite toppings and ENJOY!
This was the sleeper we didn't see coming. This mud facial mask is so unassuming but this deep cleaning and hydrating mask became a Babble community cult favorite! In 10-20 minutes it lifts impurities from your pores with the unique blend of sodium and calcium bentonite. This product had Erika and I voice noting each other immediately: "Have you tried the mask?" "I'm obsessed!"
Erika immediately purchased more (it's literally under $12!! What favorite skincare product is that affordable?) for her teenage daughter and friends to use at an upcoming sleepover. My teenage son and his girlfriend even used it with me before their first day of senior year. I love it because it's great on all types of skin and every one of us who has used it has really liked it and plants to purchase again...especially at a $12 price point.
We also started learning that you can use it for more than just to clarify your skin, absorb excess oil, reduce pores, remove impurities, tone, and deep clean your skin for a beautiful, clear complexion. With only three ingredients (clay, water and silver), we had a feeling this was going to be fun to experiment with.
I put this to the test with my own personal experiment after flying back from an overseas summer vacation where we had been in salt water quite a bit, wet bathing suits, and then sitting for a long time on international flights. TMI, but when I got back, the back of my thighs and upper buttocks were covered in a little rash and just generally really irritated. I decided to do a little test of my own and put the facial mud clay mask on the back of only one leg to see what a difference it would make. I put it on there and slept overnight. When I woke up and showered, that leg was basically completely healed, and the other one still was just as irritated as when I had gone to bed. It didn't take any time at all for me to repeat the same treatment on the other leg and let this mask work its magic. That's actually what it felt like: magic! I am clearly hooked and have Babbled about this experience and this product to anyone in earshot.
The mask is also great on bug bites and eczema. The clay also comes in a powder form - you can mix your own mask with some water at home, or sprinkle some in your bath for a soothing clay soak.
The mask has become part of our weekly routines. Erika does a clay mask at least once a week - she loves the little refresh it gives. At $12 it's both a great gift or little addition to add to gifts too. I recently gave a little cozy, pampering gift to a friend who was having surgery and included this facial mud as part of it. Of course they loved it too and it was such an inexpensive way to elevate a nourishing gift. I just purchased five tubes to have on hand for when I need a great, easy, inexpensive girlfriend or teacher gift.
Other Upgrades:
Immunity Support: I think most of us moms, the second someone starts feeling an illness come on, reach for something to ward it off. During our trial week, my 15-year-old son started coming down with something the first week of school. So typical, right? I was so happy to be able to reach for the Re-Lyte Immunity Electrolyte Powder which has a blend of vitamins C, D, and B12, zinc, ginger root, turmeric, elderberry, and electrolytes from our signature Re-Lyte Hydration Mix. I'm happy to report that even though he went to bed seeming very sick, he woke up feeling great the next morning. I'm always looking for a combination of these healthy ingredients, and I'm excited to have this in my arsenal.
Natural Toothpastes: I've never been a natural toothpaste girlie. Always trying to get the most whitening version of any toothpaste I can get my hands on, but I really liked the feel of the Leaf Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (specifically the Orange Vanilla flavor). It supports enamel strength and helps maintain a naturally bright smile without any harsh chemicals. You can try all three flavors (including citrus, rosemary, and wild mint) for less than $13 in perfect little 1 oz. travel size tubes.
Purse Salts: Yeah, that's right. I said purse salts. This had never crossed my desk before, but once you start using really good salt, you don't want to use the crappy stuff sitting on the tables in many restaurants. Especially when you know the benefits of really good minerals to your bodies. I loved bringing this to the movies, and Erika had brought them to many sporting events and loved having it while she was traveling during for various sports and events.
Overall Results
We made the swaps and incorporated some new habits- how did it make us feel?
Overall, it just made me feel like I was making better choices for my family, and that's saying something. As moms, we question everything we put in our kids' bodies (and our own). These swaps were easy because the products actually tasted better than what I'd been using, minus the mystery ingredients. I wish I'd known about them sooner. I honestly don't know where to start talking about them all.
It feels like the easy button to something that has been overly complicated for me for several years.
I can buy these and know we'll love the taste, and know I'm putting something good in and on my body and my family's.
If You Do Nothing Else, Try These!
You now know why salt and these good quality, locally sourced products are important and you've seen what we tried, loved and obsessed over.
These are the standouts that we sit across from our girlfriends and tell them all about (while texting them a link). If you're ready to upgrade your midlife, here's where we suggest you start:
Our Most Favorite Redmond Finds
The Re-Lyte Hydration was the gateway to all things Redmond for us. We have personally taken them on vacations, to the river and the pool; wine tasting; out to dinner; made mocktails and cocktails; hiking; before/during/after workouts; enjoyed at our desks to ward off the afternoon slump; served them to our children; and so much more. We are getting our minerals and electrolytes daily and feeling really good about it! You need to stay hydrated to feel good - Re-Lyte is an easy (and tasty) way to do it.
I mean, it's healed rashes, it makes your skin look/feel unbelievable, it's clean (3 ingredients!) and it's so affordable. This product instantly went viral in the Babble community.
This a little bit feels like choosing your favorite child. There wasn't one that we didn't love. I know it sounds crazy but...honestly. However, we are here to help offer our tried-and-true experience, so if we were to guide you toward a few to start your own Redmond journey, these are the top choices based on the consensus from the Babble Panel:
The Taco Seasoning
The Season Salt
The Chili Lime
any of their OG just incredibly good, plain, table and cooking salt products
Okay I promised myself I wouldn't put more than three products in this section, but I really have fallen hard for their Roots Protein Powder. It has become a pantry staple for me and I have never tried a protein powder that I have liked the flavor of this much and that has made my stomach feel great! Totally converted.
Where To Get Yours
Okay, okay you get it already. These products are insane, and you need them in your life too! I love this because I know we're not steering you wrong. It's not even just Erika and I that have fallen in love with Redmond. Our entire Babble Panel did too. One of them even commented, "I'm afraid and becoming overly obsessed with all things Redmond." That's where we're at. 18 midlife ladies who have found a simple way to put products we know and trust into our bodies and our families bodies, that we know we will all benefit from.
Finally, midlife wellness made easy!
Use the link below (or any link in this article) to receive 15% off your order.
You can also use Code: Babble
Use it again and again, because if you're anything like us, this won't be your last order. :)
➡️We'd love to learn what your favorite Redmond products are. Send a message to Brooke@BabbleWithBrooke.com to let us know!
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