A Gentle, Plant Powered Skincare Routine
Despite what we're told through advertising, messaging, and wild 10-step skincare routines, less is truly best for the skin.
Using too many products, ingredients, cleansers, and exfoliators will only damage and disrupt the skin barrier and microbiome, leaving our skin dry, irritated, dull, and so on.
Instead I recommend using whole-plant products to nourish the skin barrier and support skin health, allowing the skin's natural process to take over. When our barrier is strong and healthy, our skin is clear, calm, smooth, and glowing.
This routine is so simple but is truly SO transformative. When I struggled with cystic acne, I only saw my skin begin to heal once I ditched all of the excessive natural products and treatments and stuck to using my own gentle but potent whole-plant products instead.
Here are my suggestions:
Pre Cleanse: Organic, Cold Pressed Oil + Warm Wash Cloth
If wearing makeup or sunblock, you may decide to pre-cleanse with your favorite organic, cold-pressed oil and a warm wash cloth.
Cleanse: Cleansing Milk, Oil Cleanser, or Raw Honey
Natural cleansing milks in particular are great for all skin types, gently removing impurities while soothing the skin and restoring moisture and hydration. They also feel so lovely—soft, creamy, and nourishing—and don't strip the skin of its beneficial natural oils. Look for one with simple, plant-based ingredients, such as hydrosols, oils and butters, botanicals, and so on. Oil cleansers or even just raw honey are amazing too!
Tone: Hydrosol
I absolutely love misting hydrosols all over the skin—so refreshing with the most gorgeous, soothing scents. Hydrosols are calming, balancing, and make gentle but effective toners. Try our Rose Mist, a delicate blend of rose, calendula, and helichrysum hydrosols to soothe, replenish, and tonify the skin for a calm, renewed glow.
Moisturize: Oil Serum w/ Whole Plant Infusion
Oil serums are amazing one-step products that restore, balance, and gently repair the skin. Meanwhile, whole plant infusions offer a complete balance of healing and regenerative plant compounds with a synergistic effect, while supporting the skin's natural barrier and remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin. Filled with antioxidant- and nutrient-rich oils and infused with calming and healing herbs, Floral Serum soothes sensitivity and irritation while nourishing, repairing, and balancing the skin for a soft, renewed glow.
Daytime SPF: Sunblock w/ Zinc Oxide
I love to get a dose of mindful sun exposure in the early morning or late afternoon for the vitamin D and benefits to overall health and vitality (though I always wear a sun hat!) For further sun protection, go for a natural sunblock with zinc oxide and minimal, plant-based ingredients.
Extra Daytime Moisture: Shea Butter
Sometimes we need a bit of extra moisture and protection during the day, especially in wintertime. Unrefined shea butter is an excellent protector, sealing in moisture and providing beneficial nutrients, minerals, and essential fatty acids to the skin. Shea butter is rich, creamy, and nutty; I absolutely love it—it feels so nourishing—but keep in mind, it may be a bit heavy for some. Try warming a pea-sized amount between the hands before gently massaging into the skin to see how it feels for you.
Additional:
Gua Sha, Dry Brushing, Facial Massage: Gua sha, dry brushing, and facial massage have transformed my own skincare routine, and I always look forward to my daily rituals. Gua sha and dry brushing in particular increase circulation and clear lymphatic congestion, helping to clear and plump the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and more. I practice dry brushing each morning and gua sha with our Floral Serum each night and love this tutorial.
Mask: Raw, unfiltered honey is amazing for the skin. It's softening and moisturizing, helps speed up healing, and provides antimicrobial properties, beneficial nutrients and enzymes, and more. Support your local beekeepers—use any raw, unfiltered honey made near your home. If you'd like to do a clay mask, but you're afraid it will be too drying, try mixing the clay with hydrosol, raw honey, and maybe even a touch of shea butter, and leave it on for no more than 10 minutes.
Lifestyle: Equally, if not more important than a topical routine, are a well-rounded, whole foods diet, drinking a lot of spring water and mineral-rich nourishing herbs, daily movement, good sleep, and experiencing joy and self love!
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Cover Image by Charlotte Rudolph
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