Simplify Your Daily Skin Regimen to a Few Effective Steps

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Korean skincare routine. It has “only” 10 steps, from triple cleansing, through toning and spritzing, multiple serums and moisturizers, etc. etc. Well, I want to simplify, and I want my skin regimen to be fun, not a chore.

Of course, I want to get glowing skin, and of course, I’m looking for the best natural skincare routine. But, I’m a working mom of two, with a full-time job teaching, and blogging on the side, and I definitely do not have time for 10 steps twice a day. So I simplify. Drastically simplify.

Clean “Green” Skin Regimen

For me, the first, and most important, principle is to use only clean products. You can read here about what I consider to be Clean Beauty.

What I don’t want:

I definitely must avoid:

• sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate,
• synthetic fragrance,
• and preservatives.

To be sure what really is in the jar or the bottle, majority of what I use on a daily basis I make myself from organic or wild-crafted ingredients. Short of that option, one can find quality toxin-free products that are certified organic and cruelty-free (the leaping bunny certification).

These days, Sephora even has a separate category of products that are certifiably “green”, lacking toxic chemicals and synthetic preservatives (Clean at Sephora).

What I want:

Whether I make my own skincare or buy a products, I look for:

• non-irritating, moisturizing ingredients that hydrate, calm and soothe the skin (chamomile, calendula, rosewater, aloe vera juice, hyaluronic acid)
• anti-inflammatory agents (green tea, turmeric, plant extracts such as edelweiss, arnica, St. John’s wort)
• nourishing, top-performing oils such as argan, evening primrose, borage, camelia, hazelnut, pomegranate, hemp seed, or rosehip oils
• therapeutic properties of essential oils, but it is important to be mindful that some (like citrus oils) can cause photosensitivity so they shouldn’t be used in daytime products.

My Super Simple and Effective Daily Skin Regimen

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Morning:

1. Cleanse with raw honey, Aloe Vera Juice and Organic Hemp Seed Oil (Virgin) cleanser (equal parts of each) with a touch of Castille soap. (DIY recipe here)
2. Tone with rose hydrosol and witch hazel toner (DIY recipe here)
3. A pure hyaluronic acid serum, I use my own Hyaluronic Acid Aloe Vera Botanical Serum (DIY Recipe see here)
4. Clean sunscreen (I like Beauty by Earth)

Evening:

1. Oil cleanse (see my post about benefits of this super-easy way to cleanse)
2. Tone again with rose water and witch hazel toner
3. Vitamin C serum (I make it from ultrafine Vitamin C powder mixed into Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
4. Facial oil, I use my face oils interchangeably so that my skin does not get used to just to one set of ingredients (see them here)

Get ultrafine Vitamin C powder here:
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – 100g Pure Powder
from: BulkSupplements.com

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Occasionally:

1. Glycolic or lactic acid exfoliator (I use one by Ordinary)
2. Face scrub (handmade grains mix: Olive Leaf Extract Powder, Cranberry Extract Powder, oats, or almond meal)
3. Lip scrub (see a super easy DIY recipe)
4. DIY clay mask or other facial masks (click here for ideas)
5. Beauty by Earth Sunless Tanner

Clean Makeup

Finding natural make-up is a bit more of a challenge. I’ve seen people make their own blushes (with beet powder) and lipsticks (with various micas) and even mascara – but my few attempts at this were nothing to write home about. I am using pure mica as a highlighter and eye shadow on a few occasions when I need that glamorous look.

For other makeup needs, I go for what Clean Beauty companies have to offer. I am especially sold on Tarte. Their cosmetics are super clean, featuring organic ingredients such as Amazonian clay. They go on smoothly and are hypoallergenic:

• On a daily basis, instead of foundation, I opt for Beauty by Earth’s Tinted Moisturizer with Sunscreen, it makes the skin look just sun-kissed. For evenings, I use Tarte foundation.
• For cheeks, I use Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush.
• For lipstick, I go for wonderfully creamy Tarte lipsticks, but on a daily basis, I just go with my handmade lip balm tinted with pinkish/brownish mica mix.
• For mascara, I opt for Milk.

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Hair Care

1. Pre-wash: Hair growth serum (handmade with aloe vera juice, glycerine infused with hair growth-promoting herbs, rosemary and cedarwood essential oils); on occasion an Ayurvedic herbs and oils hair pack (you can read about my hair routine in more depth)
2. Clean shampoo and conditioner (either make my own or get ready-made clean and organic herbal hair care from Starwest Botanicals)
3. Apple Cider Vinegar hair rinse (1 part of ACV to 4 parts of water) leaves hair nice and shiny, as it lowers the pH
4. Leave in conditioner, I use my own Hair Oil Serum

Auromere Neem Plus 5 Shampoo – $11.85
from: Starwest Botanicals Inc.

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Body Skin Regimen

• Shower gel (easily made at home with Castille Soap, good oil, distilled water, and essential oils)
• Soap (started making my own with the easy melt and pour method)
• Body scrub (endless possibilities, see DIY recipe here)
• After shower body oil (go for a mix of heavier and lighter oils, e.g. grapeseed oil mixed with jojoba wax and some essential oils for scent and therapeutic benefits, see my DIY recipe)
• Handmade hand salve (DIY coming soon)
• Handmade foot cream (DIY coming soon)
• Handmade arrowroot flour, bentonite clay, coconut oil, and essential oils deodorant (DIY coming soon)

Perfume and the Like

I am very careful about fragrance. Did you know that conventional perfume companies are not required by the FDA to disclose their ingredients?

Basically this means that they can, and do, sneak in all sorts of nasties into their finished product. Since commercial perfumes are often scented with synthetically derived ingredients, I opt for a natural perfume made with essential oils (see my simple recipe)

The Take-away

That is pretty much it. Simple and fast skin and hair regimen, and, most importantly, I always know what is in the jar or bottle. Skin is the largest organ we have and what comes into contact with it can have a great impact on overall health and wellbeing.

What is in your daily self-care routine? Let me know, I’d love to know.