Regardless of your age or skin type, the top natural skincare tip is to check your product ingredients for harmful chemicals. Don’t get stuck there, though. We know ingredients can be overwhelming, but there is so much you can do to care for your skin while you gradually swap to a non-toxic routine. Be sure to include these 7 tried-and-true tips to take the best care of your skin.
seven natural skincare tips
Tip No. 1: Double Cleanse
A double cleanse is exactly what it sounds like: wash your face twice. For most people, one cleanse just isn’t enough. A second cleanse better prepares your skin to effectively absorb the rest of your natural skincare products. Which cleanser you use depends on your skin type, but we love a good cleansing oil (yes, even if you have oily skin!).
New to cleansing oils or natural cleansers? If you have sensitive skin, try Pai’s Light Work Cleansing Oil. We also recommend Leahlani’s Pamplemousse Tropical Enzyme Cleansing Oil, which works well on any skin type, including acne-prone or oily skin.
Tip No. 2: Exfoliate
Dead skin cells collect on the surface of the skin, clogging pores and creating a dull complexion. Exfoliation removes those dead cells and refines the top layer of the skin. This allows pores to better absorb nutrients (maximizing those natural ingredients we mentioned earlier) and helps pores appear smaller. Exfoliation increases oxygen and circulation in the skin, giving your complexion a healthy glow.
Check out our curated selection of masks + exfoliators that maximize natural ingredients known to help unclog pores, promote cellular turnover, stimulate collagen production, and increase the penetrability of other products.
Tip No. 3: Give it Time
Whenever possible, do your nightly routine, and then wait a couple of hours before going to bed. Give your skincare products plenty of time to sink in before laying on your pillow. At a minimum, wait a solid 15 minutes before heading to bed. Your face deserves to absorb all of those incredible natural ingredients, not your pillowcase!
Tip No. 4: Sleep
Beauty sleep: it’s not a myth! Lack of sleep plays a major role in causing puffiness, wrinkles, sagging skin, a dull complexion, breakouts, and other skin flare-ups. While you sleep, your body replenishes fluids to organs and tissues and removes excess fluids from other areas. Not getting enough sleep then reduces your skin’s hydration level and even offsets its pH balance. The human growth hormone is released during sleep, which is a necessary ingredient for collagen production (the protein that promotes skin strength and elasticity). Lack of sleep also causes the stress hormone cortisol to be released, which encourages inflammation in the body, including the skin. This inflammation then aggravates skin concerns like acne and eczema.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for most adults. Not getting enough? Try adding just 15 more minutes each night until you’re getting at least 7 hours. If you need some extra help getting more - or better - sleep, consider incorporating Campo Modern Aromatherapy’s Sleep Roll-On Oil to aid in reaching a deeper sleep or try Só Luxury’s Topical Magnesium Oil. This topical spray can reduce stress and anxiety, help with sleep, and relieve aches and pains.
Tip No. 5: SPF
Wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 15-30 every day; and not just in the summer. The ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause damage from the sun are always present. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UVA rays (or “aging rays”) can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, and can pass through window glass, like in your car! UVB rays (or “burning rays”) are the primary cause of sunburn. But remember, UV rays are present no matter the time of year and regardless of the weather.
Bottom Line: We know that overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer. So, let’s not complicate the risk by using sunscreen with toxic ingredients. If you’re not confident that your SPF comes in a product with safe ingredients, take a moment to check out our curated selection of safe sun care products.
Tip No. 6: Lymphatic Drainage
The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system, helping to remove waste and toxins from tissues in the body. Stimulating lymphatic drainage promotes internal cleansing and the stimulation of oxygen-rich blood to nourish the skin’s surface. The boost in cellular health reveals healthier, more radiant skin. Sweating toxins out of your body is one way to keep your lymphatic system cleansed and happy, whether in the sauna or through exercise.
Lymphatic massage is another method of stimulating lymphatic drainage. If you’re new to the practice lymphatic drainage massage, consider Mount Lai’s De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller. Facial rollers are actually a Chinese skincare tool that have been used for thousands of years to improve blood circulation, reduce puffiness, promote lymphatic drainage, and release facial and jaw tension. You may also want to try their Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool. Another long-used Chinese skincare tool, this facial massager serves to improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and promote overall health and radiance of the skin.
Tip No. 7: Hydrate
Drinking enough water helps your entire body, so it stands to reason that increasing your water intake will have a positive impact on your overall skin health. Water helps your body effectively carry out functions that flush toxins, which in turn improves the health of any skin type, whether dry, oily, aging, or acne-prone. How much water you need varies depending on how active you are and what type of climate you live in, among other things.
For women, the Institute of Medicine recommends 9 cups of fluid each day. (Increase that to 10 cups of water a day for pregnant women, and about 12 if you’re breastfeeding.) For men, they suggest a total of 13 cups of fluid each day. This may sound like a lot, but for your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages (and foods) that contain water. We like giving our bodies a head start on hydration with The Beauty Chef’s HYDRATION Inner Beauty Boost. This organic probiotic concentrate supports gut health and enhances skin radiance by boosting hydration and restoring electrolyte balance, targeting skin concerns from the inside out.
Don’t worry if you don’t get all of these tips right all of the time. Every positive choice you make is another step toward better, healthier skin. Visit us at our boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, or contact us online and let us know how we can help you on your way.