Spring showers and colorful blooms bring with them the energy of nature, renewal, and growth. There’s no better excuse to take some time for ourselves, to recenter on what we need and what makes us feel good.
For me, it’s also a great time to take a look at my natural beauty routine and treat myself a little. I go through my beauty cabinets and bathroom shelves to clear the clutter and review all my products. Then I pamper myself with a nice exfoliation, mask, and face massage. Let me take you through some tips and ideas if, like me, you prefer natural skincare with a side of DIY rather than mass-produced industrial skincare.
What is natural beauty?
There’s no one definition of “natural beauty.” It’s become quite a buzzword in the marketing industry, but in reality, it doesn’t mean much on the shelves of the store.
Nonetheless, it’s very meaningful to me. Just like I felt when I decided to create natural baby skincare for my son, I want products for myself that are free of chemicals, as natural and organic as possible, palm-oil free, and cruelty-free. And it’s even better if they are multi-purpose!
If this journey to natural beauty is new for you, take a few minutes to reflect on what it means to you and what you want to get from it.
It’s become a big trend
There are so many options for natural beauty products these days and so many different approaches to it. It’s great to see so many brands, new and established, jumping on the bandwagon, but consumers need to stay aware and informed because a lot of it is greenwashing marketing.
Just because a package says its cream is organic or eco-certified doesn’t mean that it’s free of chemicals or synthetic chemicals. It’s a good practice to read the labels until you find a brand you trust.
Some natural brands can be quite expensive, especially if they use natural essential oils and are made locally in small quantities. To make it easier on your wallet, you can mix some items from big brands that are free from nasties, with some high-quality natural brands and a few homemade recipes.
What are the benefits of a natural beauty routine?
A 2015 study supports that plant extracts in skincare care can be a rich source of:
- Vitamins
- Antioxidants
- Bioactive compounds
- Essential oils
- Proteins
- Hydrocolloids (a hydrating compound also used for thickening and gelling)
- Terpenoids (natural compounds found in plants)
These compounds all contribute to healthy skin without adding the risks linked to the chemicals used in industrial skincare. The study also adds that botanical extracts are a sage and cost-effective substitute for synthetics.
A natural beauty routine that works for you
As we get older and wiser… the rate at which our body produces collagen and elastin reduces. Therefore, supporting our skin outside and in with nourishing natural products and foods is one of the most important things you can do for beautiful healthy skin.
Here are a few steps to consider for your natural beauty routine. Mix and match according to your needs.
Morning skincare
Toning
Unless you feel the need for it, skip cleansing your skin in the morning. When we clean the skin with a lotion or soap we remove the natural oils that keep it hydrated and protected.
Instead, spritz a toner such as rose water or make your own with witch hazel and essential oil (recipe below). I like a spritz rather than a cotton pad, so I don’t waste any product and spritzing has a nice uplifting effect.
Using a toner is optional, but it can help prepare the skin to better absorb your moisturizer and just feels good. Just avoid ones with alcohol that can dry your skin.
Moisturizing
There are plenty of options, from gels to creams, to butters and oils… Choose a texture and scent that you enjoy. Don’t get fooled by marketing here, there’s no miracle face-lift in a jar. Most of the time, when a cream boasts that it can reduce wrinkles, it’s with plumping ingredients that create that effect temporarily.
What’s true though, is that well-hydrated moisturized skin is healthier and smoother looking. That’s why we don’t want to strip the skin of its natural oils, instead, we should help it.
Want a multi-use high-performance moisturizer? Get some jojoba oil! This is one beautiful oil to which you can add some essential oil to add specific properties and scents. There’s a spring DIY moisturizer idea below.
Evening skincare
Skin cleaning
Whether you wear makeup or not, cleansing your face is important to remove debris and dirt from the day. Here too, choose products that won’t strip your face from moisture. If your skin feels dry and tight, it’s no good.
To remove makeup, you can use an oil like coconut or olive oil. The oil helps dissolve makeup. You can then remove the oil with a tissue or rinse it off with a mild soap.
Then with a washable cotton pad, remove any leftovers with cleansing water such as rose or chamomile.
Exfoliating
This step can be used 2 to 3 times a week depending on your skin. You can gently rub some fine coffee grounds with a bit of natural oil or make a sugar scrub (recipe below).
When you exfoliate, you get rid of the old skin cells, revealing brighter skin that will absorb moisturizer better.
Moisturizing
Just like in the morning, you need to nourish your skin. You can simply use the same formula or switch to something a little thicker for nighttime.
Natural beauty routine DIY
Here are a few natural beauty routine recipes to get you started. Don’t hesitate to use what you already have. Just make sure that the essential oils you have are safe for the skin and use just a little.
For safety, perform a test on your wrist and wait 24 hours before applying it to large areas of your body.
Witch hazel toner DIY
Witch hazel is great for calming the skin, especially if you are prone to irritation or acne. I add a little aloe vera for its moisturizing properties.
Combine these ingredients:
- 8 tbsp witch hazel (choose an alcohol-free version so it’s non-drying)
- 4 tbsp aloe vera
- A few drops of essential oil of your liking
Pour in a spray bottle and apply directly to your skin.
For the essential oil, some great options include lavender, clary sage, geranium, sandalwood, rose, jasmine, and chamomile.
Sugar scrub DIY
This simple scrub melts as you rub, keeping it gentle on your skin.
Combine these ingredients:
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp natural oil (coconut, olive, or jojoba oil all work well)
- A few drops of essential oil of your liking
Apply to the skin with gentle circular motions, using the tip of your fingers. Avoid the eye area.
You can also softly scrub your lips to remove dead skin.
Natural spring DIY moisturizer
I have a little collection of base oils and essential oils that I blend and apply depending on my mood and skin.
Here are two blends I quite love for spring.
- Morning: a few drops of argan oil with 1 drop of geranium essential oil
Argan oil is known for its moisturizing and healing properties, but it has a strong scent. Use argan oil with some geranium essential oil, it smells incredible and has skin-smoothing properties.
- Evening: a few drops of rosehip seed oil with 1 drop of lavender essential oil
I love using rosehip seed oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids. I add a drop of lavender essential oil for its lovely relaxing effect before sleep and its beauty properties that include healing, moisturizing, and clearing skin.
Hope you get to experiment with these do-it-yourself beauty recipes and find a natural beauty routine you enjoy!
If you want more, check out my 4 facial massage techniques for busy mums.
Until next time, Tania xx