Natural Skincare - Spring Edition
Looking to make the switch to an all-natural skincare and beauty routine?
Wondering where to start and which products actually perform!?
Take a peek inside my super simple routine, targeted to prevent blemishes … naturally of course!
My routine is actually very simple and I hope will be inspired you to go natural or simply try something new!
Now you may still be wondering…
Do natural skincare and beauty products actually work?
Oh absolutely!
As demand for safer products and the natural beauty market has grown, we know have a ton of safe, natural, high-performing options to choose from.
So no, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty in the name of health or vice versa!
And many natural, non-toxic skincare ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, charcoal, and niacinamide are so effective that they’ve even snuck into mainstream beauty lines. And skincare practices like exfoliation help prevent blemishes and increase collagen production — whether you’re using a natural exfoliant or nasty-filled exfoliant!
So why not choose the nasty-free version, I say!
When I first started trying to treat my acne, I would buy the most reviewed products I could find and use them religiously. La Roche Posay, Proactiv, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear… I tried them all. A few years ago, I started trying more natural products that did help tremendously from what I was using. This brings us to today. I have discovered a few simple ingredients… not products… but natural, inexpensive ingredients that have been a miracle for my skin. They work together instead of against each other to clean, heal, smooth, and moisturize my skin better than anything I’ve ever found.
I no longer have breakouts (very few and far between, if any)
My skin no longer feels dry and irritated because of harsh acne cleansers
My makeup looks so much better now that I have a smoother texture and smaller pores
I’m noticing acne scars and wrinkles less and less
OK so let’s get to it!
My All-Natural Skincare Routine
CLEANSERS
Traditional face cleansers are designed to break down the oils in your skin, but often end up breaking down the natural oils your skin needs to maintain balance. If you haven’t heard of the oil cleansing method, the basic chemistry principle is that “like dissolves like”. Essentially you are cleaning your pores of dirt and bacteria in a natural, gentle and effective manner by replacing the dirty oils with beneficial oils that can heal, protect and nourish your skin.
HERE ARE THE CLEANSERS I USE:
African Black Soap | My holy grail when it comes to face wash. I was skeptic at first, but it only took one use before getting hooked. Will have you glowing in no time!
Coconut Oil | This oil has many of the same beneficial properties that hemp seed oil has, but is generally not recommended for oily skin because it can clog your pores. What coconut oil IS perfect for is removing makeup! It instantly dissolves any makeup I’m wearing, including mascara and eye makeup that normally doesn’t wash off as easily. I’ll use the coconut oil first to remove my makeup at the end of the day and follow up with the hemp seed oil cleanser to make sure my skin is completely clean, balanced and moisturized. I recommend using liquid coconut oil for two reasons: 1) it is easier to use than solid coconut oil and 2) it is less likely to clog pores.
Raw Manuka Honey | In the morning, I use honey to wash my face. I know that sounds crazy, but it works! I’ve already removed my makeup before I went to bed, so all I need is a light, gentle cleanser to get my skin ready for the day. Raw Manuka honey is unprocessed and unpasteurized (unlike what you normally buy at the grocery store), so all the beneficial nutrients and vitamins are kept intact. This honey contains superior antibacterial and healing properties and is also very nourishing and hydrating, but not great at removing makeup, so stick to coconut oil for that step. Raw Manuka honey is a bit thicker than normal honey, so you’ll need your skin to be slightly wet to use this cleanser.
HOW TO USE CLEANSERS:
Rub the African black soap into my hands until it foams. Then apply on skin and massage (damp if using honey) for 1-2 minutes.
Wet a wash cloth with hot water and place the cloth over your face, letting the steam open your pores for about a minute.
Gently wipe your skin to remove any remaining cleanser or makeup.
MASKS
Once a week I use a mask to deep clean pores, exfoliate dead skin, and rejuvenate my face. Currently I rotate between these two 100% natural clay masks:
Dead Sea Mud Mask with 100% Natural French Green Clay | Absorbs excess oils and impurities, tightens pores, reduces acne and blackheads, exfoliates, promotes blood circulation to cells, balances skin for a matte appearance, and also features jojoba oil, aloe vera and vitamin E.
Bentonite Clay | Deep pore cleansing and acne reducing. Unlike the mud mask above, this comes in a powder form and has to be mixed with either water or apple cider vinegar (what I choose) to use. I find this mask to be a little more intense while it’s on, and my face is red for about 30 minutes or so after I wash it off. I would recommend only using it before you go to bed at night, but it definitely gives good results.
TONERS
Toners were originally designed to rebalance skin after cleansing. They get rid of excess oil, dirt, and leftover makeup after you wash your face and prepare the skin for moisture, the last step in your skin care routine.
HERE ARE THE TONERS I USE:
Apple Cider Vinegar | Even though the smell is not pleasant, apple cider vinegar may be one of my natural skin care secret weapons. As strange as it sounds, ACV is antiseptic and antibacterial, which is perfect for acne and getting rid of blackheads, and also balances the pH in your skin. It can lighten age spots, fade acne scars, and the best part… it is SUPER affordable. I do recommend using this raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and mixing it in a 1:1 ratio with distilled water. If your skin is more dry or sensitive, I would dilute the mixture further with a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of ACV to water. I store the toner in an amber glass bottle with a dropper and use a cotton ball or pad to apply the toner all over my clean face. Note: I use this at night so I don’t notice the smell on my skin during the day and also to allow the vinegar’s properties to work their magic overnight. This is also a great exfoliant, so I would avoid using this toner on days when you use a mask or exfoliator.
Lavender Witch Hazel | I use lavender witch hazel in the morning after cleansing with honey, and this is a much more gentle, soothing toner than the apple cider vinegar. It’s perfect to wake up your skin and prepare it for makeup application (if you choose to that day). Lavender is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which helps manage acne, calm sensitive skin, and reduce redness and irritation. If the apple cider vinegar is too strong for your skin, I would recommend the witch hazel instead.
I also DIY a Rose Water Witch Hazel that I use to help lock in moisture during winter months.
MOISTURIZERS
Oily skin that is stripped of natural oils actually produces more oil to overcompensate, creating a vicious cycle. Even though it sounds counterproductive, using oils to moisturize your face keeps oily skin balanced and moisturized without clogging pores and is great for healing and repairing problem skin.
HERE IS THE MOISTURIZER I USE:
Jojoba Oil + Lavender | Jojoba oil is perfect for all skin types, nourishing, moisturizing, and very light, which means it is easily absorbed into the skin and doesn’t feel greasy. Jojoba oil is very close to your skin’s natural sebum, so it tricks oily skin types into producing less oil. It is also rich in vitamin E and a great source of antioxidants. The addition of lavender gives it added antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and healing benefits. Just like I did with the hemp seed oil cleanser, I mix 1 ounce of jojoba oil with 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil and keep the mixture in a little amber glass bottle with a dropper. I use about 4-6 drops both morning and night after cleansing and toning. I rub the oil in my hands, smooth it all over my face, then pat it gently into my skin so the oil really absorbs into my pores. I’ll wait about 30 minutes after moisturizing to apply my makeup to give the oil a chance to absorb into my skin. At night I’ll use an extra few drops for added moisture while I sleep and a drop or two less during the day when I don’t want extra oil underneath my makeup. I normally would not recommend coconut oil as a regular moisturizer because it sits on top of the skin instead of absorbing and can cause clogged pores, but in the winter when my skin becomes really dry from the cold weather, I will occasionally add a very small amount of coconut oil to the jojoba oil at night to help heal chapped skin and lock in moisture.
Hemp Seed Oil + Lavender | Hemp seed oil is anti-inflammatory, which makes it a great moisturizer for acne prone skin, as well as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It balances out oily skin without clogging pores, improves and restores skin elasticity, and also has antioxidant properties that help regenerate new cells. I mix 1 ounce of hemp seed oil with 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil, which is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and healing! I keep the mixture in a little amber glass bottle with a dropper, and use about a quarter size amount to wash my face. I’ll use this in the evening to cleanse before I go to sleep.
Aloe Vera | In the evening, I apply aloe vera gel and leave it on overnight. I purchase the massive leaf found in the vegetable section at H-Mart (Whole Foods also has them). This alone has helped me tremendously with acne and scarring. This DIY gel lasts for weeks so I would recommend adding some essential oils such a peppermint for preservation. Otherwise, it will start to smell funny after 2 weeks in the fridge.
DAILY ROUTINE
AM | step 1: cleanse with raw manuka honey + african black soap
AM | step 2: tone with lavender witch hazel
AM | step 3: moisturize with jojoba oil + lavender, hempseed oil + hydrolic acid serum
—
PM | step 1: remove makeup with coconut oil
PM | step 2: cleanse with hemp seed oil + lavender
PM | step 3: clay mask (only once a week)
PM | step 4: tone with apple cider vinegar
PM | step 5: moisturize with jojoba oil + lavender, rosehip oil + shea butter
or sometimes I use this alternative:
PM | step 5: moisturize with green tea infused hempseed oil + lactic acid + shea butter + DIY aloe vera gel
MY FAVORITE NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
OTHER OPTIONS FOR OILY/ACNE SKIN
Everyone’s skin is unique, and some things that work for my skin may not work as well for yours. Here are some options you can use to customize this skin care routine to better fit you:
Try rosehip oil or tamanu oil in place of the hemp seed oil and/or jojoba oil.
Use rosemary or peppermint oil in place of the lavender oil. I use lavender essential oil in both my hemp seed oil cleanser and jojoba oil moisturizer.
OIL OPTIONS FOR DRY/AGING SKIN
Cleanser | mix 1 ounce of carrier oil + 10-12 drops of essential oil
carrier oil options: argan oil, almond oil, apricot oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil
essential oil options: lemon, frankincense, sandalwood, lavender
Toner | rose water face mist
Moisturizer | mix 1 ounce of carrier oil + 10-12 drops of essential oil
carrier oil options: argan oil, almond oil, apricot oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil
essential oil options: lemon, frankincense, sandalwood, lavender
I am so excited to continue healing my skin and trying new natural remedies, and I would love to hear if you try this routine and what you think! If you have any questions, feel free to ask away, and I will keep this post updated if I change and improve my daily routine! If this helps just one person who struggles with acne or oily skin, my heart will be so happy because I know the frustration it can cause. Thank you for following along, beautiful people!
ps: Just like you, your skin is unique. What works for someone else might not work for you, so experiment a little. A specialist in dermatology can greatly help if your acne doesn’t clear up.