My current natural skin care routine for oily skin that I’ve adopted using as minimal products as possible to achieve healthy, smooth, clear, glowing skin in the hot, humid climate of the Gold Coast, Australia.
My skin care routine was one of the first things I changed when I started living a more natural, toxin-and-chemical-free lifestyle around eight years ago. It seemed like the easiest thing to change at the time, as I could swap out my commercially made products for more natural options.
My routine has changed a lot over the years. I used the Oil Cleansing Method for most of that time, and still do occasionally, as I find it to be one of the best ways to draw impurities out of the skin without drying and stripping my skin of its natural protective oils.
For the past year or so I’ve been trialling a new routine which I’ve loved, as my skin has never felt so soft and smooth. It’s been fantastic in removing blackheads and impurities that have built up in my pores, and it only requires a few different products (most of which I make at home).
I’m a fuss-free kinda girl, so minimal is better for me. I don’t like spending so much time getting ready in the morning, I like to be done in about half an hour so I can get started with my day. So, over these past few years I’ve been working at creating a skin care routine for my body and face that’s natural, minimal, and most importantly, makes my skin feel good. I’ve listed below the steps I take in both my morning and night time routine, both of which are different as I switch up what I use.
Before I jump into it, just a quick little background on my skin. I have oily skin, so I’ve opted for products that nourish my skin, that still use oils, but don’t leave my skin looking oily or dewy once finished. I don’t like to strip my skin of its natural oils as I believe these are important (my skin produces them for a reason), and they protect my skin from the harsh elements around me, such as the sun, wind, etc. Without these oils, the skin would age much faster.
The products I now use are 98-100 percent natural and organic where possible. Some of the products I share are my own handmade ones, and if I use other brands, I always opt for ones that use glass jars instead of plastic (as plastic leaches chemicals into the product inside). Endocrine disrupting chemicals, often used to make plastic clear and durable, have been associated with disrupting fertility cycles, delaying neurodevelopment in children, causing autoimmunity or immunosuppression, and may increase the risk of hormone-related cancers.
This is why I work on reducing the amount of plastic found in my home, for both my health and the health of the planet.
I would also like to mention that I am not a skin care expert and my routine is based on what I have found works well for my skin.
For a natural, non-toxic skin care routine that can be used for any skin type, see here.
Other Approaches to Caring for Skin (from the Inside Out)
After switching over to an all-natural skin care routine, my skin care products consisted of simple ingredients made with many items you could find in the grocery store. I can honestly tell you without any hesitation that my skin has never looked or felt better, and any scars I had have started to fade or are gone.
I should specify that I am blessed with clear skin. Always have been. During my teen years I only suffered with a few pimples here and there, and I was so thankful to never have gone through the pain of acne or scarring. I may still get the occasional pimple(s) here and there, but it’s usually triggered by hormones or from eating sugar (which I now try to stay away from).
The harsh ingredients found in Proactiv, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, and other strong commercially made skin care products can really dry out the skin, meaning you have to moisturise like crazy to not look like a dried up raisin. Plus, these products can exacerbate skin issues over the long term, as the root cause isn’t being addressed, which is often diet related. The gut can play a big role in skin conditions, as an inflamed, ‘leaky gut’ can manifest itself as psoriasis, acne, eczema, and more.
As I move into my late 20’s, the thought of spending $20, $50, up to $100+ on eye creams or anti-aging skin care serums just doesn’t sound appealing to me, and it’s definitely not within my budget or how I want to spend my money. Plus, those expensive collagen creams are pretty much pointless since collagen fibres are too big to be absorbed through the skin. Collagen must be taken internally via supplement or food form.
This brings us to today. The products that I use daily on my skin are natural, inexpensive, and work wonders on my skin. They work together instead of against each other to clean, heal, smooth, and moisturise my skin to keep it looking healthy and vibrant.
I want to note here that diet plays a big role in skin health for me. If I’m eating a diet high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates and sugar, my skin is absolutely glowing. If I splurge and eat too many sugar-filled treats or processed foods, my skin pays the price. I end up with pimples around my face and neck, and they’re often really painful.
I believe that in any skin care regime, diet must also be addressed for long-lasting benefits. Supplementing with a high quality, organic gelatin and collagen supplement is really important for plumper skin, as well as taking a quality fish oil, magnesium supplement, and vitamin C powder to naturally boost collagen production.
For more information on how to heal your skin from the inside out using a healthy diet, see this amazing podcast by Katie Wells on How to Get Glowing Skin at Any Age.
My Minimalistic Approach to Natural Skin Care
The very first thing to look at in a healthy skin care routine is water. It’s important to drink enough water throughout the day to keep skin hydrated from the inside, first. There is no amount of moisturiser that can help you if your skin is already dehydrated. A good round number to aim for is eight glasses of water a day (and then drink at least one cup of water for each cup of caffeinated beverage or alcohol that you drink, in addition to your regular water consumption). A tell-tale sign that you’re dehydrated is if your lips are dry and chapped. Another signal is the colour of your urine. Healthy pee is usually pale to medium yellow in colour, it’s clear, and has a subtle pee odour.
I also dry brush regularly to promote lymphatic drainage and detoxification in my body. I’ll do this around three to five times per week, just before I hop in the shower, to help scrub away the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing my natural skin care products to work more effectively on my body. Dry brushing helps to unclog pores and remove toxins that may get caught beneath the skin.
Okay, moving on to my skin care routine.
My Morning Skin Care Routine
The first thing I do after waking up in the morning is drink a few glasses of water, then I’ll head to the bathroom to wash my face.
Cleanser
I used to use a combination of castor oil and olive oil (as part of the Oil Cleansing Method) to cleanse my skin, but this past year I’ve been trialling my own handmade gentle calendula oil facial cleanser. Almost all of the ingredients are 100 percent natural and organic, the only ones that aren’t are an emulsifying wax and Olivem 300 which have been added to allow the cleansing oil to blend with a splash of water on the hands, developing a white, creamy texture as it emulsifies. I use this first to cleanse my skin, using warm water to cleanse (which helps to open my pores) and cold water to finish (to close my pores after cleansing).
Face Toner
I follow up with a face toner made of rose water, lavender or chamomile hydrosol. The toner is completely organic, and I love to make it myself as it’s so much cheaper than buying it already made. Plus, I can source the flowers organic and local. I store the toner in an amber glass bottle either with a spray lid or with a dropper. If I use a spray bottle, I spritz the toner all over my face, neck and chest, and gently massage it into my skin. If I store it in a dropper bottle, I use a cotton ball or pad to apply the toner all over my clean face.
Aloe Vera Gel
If I have any scars or blemishes I want to heal, I’ll apply some fresh aloe vera gel either straight from the plant or in a popsicle form to my skin and massage it into my pores. I then leave it on to dry and soak into my skin naturally. A compound in aloe vera called ‘aloesin’ may help to reduce hyperpigmentation in acne scars, as well as reduce the overproduction of melanin, a darker pigment that can make acne scars more noticeable. This in turn helps to lighten blemishes. Aloe vera also contains aloin, a natural compound that can help in lightening skin, too. The antibacterial agents found in aloe can help in removing bacteria from the skin, helping to reduce the chance of spots and pimples developing.
Face Serum/Oil
After my toner, I like to apply a face serum to my skin as it can feel a little dry after cleansing. The serum I use contains a range of anti-aging ingredients such as jojoba oil, almond oil, evening primrose oil, pomegranate oil, vitamin E oil, carrot seed oil, and lavender and frankincense essential oils. I apply just a tiny amount of this serum onto my face, neck and chest, as a little goes a long way, and massage it gently into my skin. This serum is 100 percent natural and organic.
And that concludes my morning skin care routine. I love how my skin feels afterwards, and I feel so awake and rejuvenated one I’m finished, ready for the day.
My Evening Skin Care Routine
After dry brushing and showering, I’ll begin my skin care routine for the night.
Face Cleanser
In the evening, I like to use a simple duo-sided cleansing and exfoliating fibre mitten glove. All I do is add water to the mitten and gently scrub my face to remove impurities and buff away dry, dead skin cells. This two-in-one facial scrub glove is from Santé by ENJO, and is made with 58 percent polyester, and 42 percent polyacrylic. It lasts up to three years and is Oeko-Tex certified. Once finished with, the face cleanser can be sent back to Santé to be recycled. They ship old fibres to ENJO International who recycle the fibres into car seats and home insulation. The face cleanser comes with a laundry bag, too, so once I’ve finished cleansing my face, I pop the mitten into the bag and place it in the washing machine. After washing, I let it air dry.
To cleanse my face, I’ll apply cool water to the cleansing side of the scrubber then gently massage the mitten all over my face and neck in small circular motions. After cleansing, I pat my face dry with an organic cotton face towel. I then follow up with the exfoliating side of the face cleanser, applying cool water to the glove and gently massaging it over my skin in a circular, massaging motion. I finish by patting my face dry with an organic cotton face towel again.
Face Moisturiser
My handmade Ultra-Hydrating Face and Body Moisturiser is my favourite natural moisturiser yet. It’s the only one I’ve found that lasts throughout the day and night. I used to use it after swim teaching, as my skin would feel like a dried out prune after being in the chlorinated water for several hours. This moisturiser was the only thing that worked in rehydrating my skin afterwards. Normal lotions would soak into my skin too quickly, so I’d have to reapply them again after an hour or so. This moisturiser is super nourishing but not too heavy (though I don’t go too crazy with it as it is an oil-based moisturiser, so too much of it will cause skin to go greasy). It contains apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, shea butter, and lavender essential oil.
To use, I dab a little of the moisturiser onto my forehead and cheeks (a little goes a long way), and then gently rub it into my face, neck and chest. The skin on the face, neck and chest is very delicate, so always be gentle when rubbing creams and oils into these areas.
I will keep this post updated if I change and improve my daily routine. Thank you so much for following along.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
What’s your skin care routine like? What products do you use? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
Vanessa
