You may have noticed that the words “natural,” “organic,” and “clean” don’t have a clear meaning when it comes to skin care goods. Because these labels aren’t controlled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), brands don’t have to follow a set of rules or standards. Instead, each skin care brand has its own idea of what “natural products” mean and how they should be used.
When people talk about natural skin care, they usually mean that the product is made mostly or entirely from ingredients that come from the earth. Among these are:
Coconut oil and olive oil are two examples of natural oils.
Witch hazel
Essential oils
Natural Butters
Powders of plants
Some natural goods still use preservatives that don’t come from plants to keep them fresh, while others use plant-based preservatives or don’t use any. Look at the label and the brand’s unique definition, which is often put on their website, to find out exactly what is in each product.
Creating an Easy-to-Follow Natural Skin Care Routine
Typically, a natural skin care routine is based on minimalism and employs pure products that do not contain harsh or irritating ingredients. The core of any skin care regimen consists of the same stages, which are outlined according to skin type below.
Cleansing
You should wash your face twice a day, in the morning and at night, to get rid of dirt, grease, makeup, and leftover product. This gives you clear, healthy skin and gets it ready for the natural skin care items you’ll use next.
For traditional cleansers, wet your face with lukewarm water and gently massage the cleaner into your skin before rinsing and patting it dry. Oil cleansers and creams are put on dry skin, massaged in, and then washed off with water.
- Oily skin: Cleanse with a noncomedogenic, oil-free cleanser. Cleansers that foam or gel are usually a smart choice. The idea isn’t to remove all of the oil from your skin, but rather to assist restore balance.
- Dry skin: Look for cleaners that contain extra moisture. Oils, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin are all natural skin care ingredients that you should look for. A balm that cleans is a good choice.
- Combination skin: Choose a cleaner that isn’t too heavy but still keeps your skin hydrated.
Toning
This step is frequently skipped, although it only takes a few extra seconds from your routine and has a significant benefit. Your skin’s pH levels can be restored by toning in the morning and evening.
- Oily skin: Toners for oily skin can also be used as soft scrubs or to tighten the skin. Look for items like salicylic acid (a BHA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are gentle. Witch hazel is another natural ingredient that is good for use in toners for skin care.
- Dry Skin: Look for toners that contain hydrating components like oils and hyaluronic acid.
- Combination skin: Pick a hydrating, mild, rebalancing toner.
Exfoliating
When you exfoliate your skin, you get rid of dead skin cells and open up your pores. This makes your skin smoother, brighter, and more beautiful. Think of this step as an occasional treat for your
Follow the advice on the package for how to use each exfoliation product. No matter what kind of skin you have, always use a lotion after cleansing.
- Oily skin: To assist unclog pores and reduce the appearance of red spots, pick a product designed with BHAs and/or AHAs.
- Dry skin: Exfoliation is necessary for people with dry skin, but only sometimes and using mild products made with fruit enzymes or AHAs. A very fine physical exfoliator can improve your dry, flaky skin.
- Combination skin: For this skin type, a mild chemical exfoliant should be used sparingly. Consider using a product that combines BHA and AHA.
Eye Cream
Although using an eye cream may seem like a pointless step, this hydrator is designed specifically for the delicate, sensitive skin around your eyes. Eye creams, which typically have a heavier texture, work to smooth out small wrinkles and lighten dark under-eye circles. Select an item that addresses your particular issue, such as fine lines, crepey skin, bags, or under-eye darkness.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is important both in the morning and at night, and it’s important for all skin types, even oily or acne-prone ones. This step helps hydrate your skin and lock in moisture so that your skin looks healthy, young, and beautiful.
- Oily skin: Use products that don’t have oil and won’t cause pimples. Moisturizing gels that keep your skin hydrated are a great choice.
- Dry skin: The best moisturizer for this skin type is one with an oil basis. Apply a hyaluronic acid serum first, then a cream, to amp up the moisture. Choose a heavier product or face oil in the evenings.
- Combination skin: During the day, a gel cream is a good choice, while at night, an oil-based lotion is better.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is the one thing that you should apply without fail at all times. The best anti-aging component money can buy is sun protection, and frequent use will also help safeguard you against skin cancer. The last phase of your daily skincare routine should be applying sunscreen, followed by any makeup.
Stick to a mineral sunscreen formulation that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide for your all-natural skin care regimen. This type of sunscreen is often referred to as a physical sunscreen. Avoid using chemical sunscreens that include potentially dangerous substances including oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate.
The Issue with Do-It-Yourself Products
Even though it might be easy to make your own natural skin care routine, that isn’t always the best thing to do. This is why:
- Many natural ingredients, like citric juices, sugar, fruits, and salt, can be too harsh to put on your face in their pure form. For example, lemon juice can be very irritating and cause light chemical burns. Salts and sugars can cause tiny tears in the skin that make it easy for bacteria to get in.
- DIY products made at home don’t have to go through the same high level of sanitary testing that lab goods do. This can cause germs to grow in the product where it doesn’t belong, which can cause infection, inflammation, or irritation.
- Most homemade goods don’t have chemicals in them, so their shelf life is short and unpredictable.
Final Suggestions for Natural Skin Care
Since each manufacturer has its own idea of what constitutes natural, navigating the market for natural skin care products is inherently difficult.
Decide what your own objectives are for a natural skin care routine before you start. From there, become familiar with several businesses that promote themselves as “natural,” “clean,” or “organic” and support the products that most closely align with your needs and preferences. Always spot-test new products before incorporating them into your routine, and only add one at a time. You can use this information to decide whether it might work well for your skin type.
Having learned the fundamentals of natural skin care, you may confidently shop the beauty aisles for the ideal items.