After struggling with acne for over half of my life, I recently tried switching over completely to a 100% natural skin care routine.
Simple ingredients, homemade remedies, many items you could probably find in your grocery store. I can honestly tell you without any hesitation that my skin has never looked or felt better, and the acne and scars I used to try and hide are fading and gone.
It’s hard to believe that I spent years buying product after product with fancy ingredients to clear my skin, and the answer ended up being the most simple, inexpensive products I could find.
This natural skin care routine has completely changed the way my skin looks. No more acne, smaller pores, smoother, more even complexion, and I’ve actually saved money using these simple, all-natural remedies!
I have discovered a few simple ingredients… not products… but natural, inexpensive ingredients that have been a miracle for my skin. They work together instead of against each other to clean, heal, smooth, and moisturize my skin better than anything I’ve ever found.
CLEANSERS
Traditional face cleansers are designed to break down the oils in your skin, but often end up breaking down the natural oils your skin needs to maintain balance. If you haven’t heard of the oil cleansing method, the basic chemistry principal is that “like dissolves like”.
Essentially you are cleaning your pores of dirt and bacteria in a natural, gentle and effective manner by replacing the dirty oils with beneficial oils that can heal, protect and nourish your skin.
HERE ARE THE CLEANSERS I USE:
Hemp Seed Oil + Lavender: Hemp seed oil is anti-inflammatory, which makes it a great cleanser for acne prone skin, as well as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
It balances out oily skin without clogging pores, improves and restores skin elasticity, and also has antioxidant properties that help regenerate new cells.
I mix 1 ounce of hemp seed oil with 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil, which is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and healing!
I keep the mixture in a little amber glass bottle with a dropper, and use about a quarter size amount to wash my face. I’ll use this in the evening to cleanse before I go to sleep.
Coconut Oil: This oil has many of the same beneficial properties that hemp seed oil has, but is generally not recommended for oily skin because it can clog your pores. What coconut oil IS perfect for is removing makeup!
It instantly dissolves any makeup I’m wearing, including mascara and eye makeup that normally doesn’t wash off as easily.
I’ll use the coconut oil first to remove my makeup at the end of the day and follow up with the hemp seed oil cleanser to make sure my skin is completely clean, balanced and moisturized. I recommend using liquid coconut oil for two reasons: 1) it is easier to use than solid coconut oil and 2) it is less likely to clog pores.
Raw Manuka Honey: In the morning, I use honey to wash my face. I know that sounds crazy, but it works! I’ve already removed my makeup before I went to bed, so all I need is a light, gentle cleanser to get my skin ready for the day.
Raw Manuka honey is unprocessed and unpasteurized (unlike what you normally buy at the grocery store), so all the beneficial nutrients and vitamins are kept intact.
This honey contains superior antibacterial and healing properties and is also very nourishing and hydrating, but not great at removing makeup, so stick to coconut oil for that step.
Raw Manuka honey is a bit thicker than normal honey, so you’ll need your skin to be slightly wet to use this cleanser.
HOW TO USE CLEANSERS:
Massage a quarter size amount of cleanser into dry skin (or damp if using honey) for 1-2 minutes.
Wet a wash cloth with hot water and place the cloth over your face, letting the steam open your pores for about a minute.
Gently wipe your skin to remove any remaining cleanser or makeup.
MASKS
Once a week I use a mask to deep clean pores, exfoliate dead skin, and rejuvenate my face. Currently I rotate between these two 100% natural clay masks:
Dead Sea Mud Mask with 100% Natural French Green Clay: Absorbs excess oils and impurities, tightens pores, reduces acne and blackheads, exfoliates, promotes blood circulation to cells, balances skin for a matte appearance, and also features jojoba oil, aloe vera and vitamin E.
100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay: Deep pore cleansing and acne reducing. Unlike the mud mask above, this comes in a powder form and has to be mixed with either water or apple cider vinegar (what I choose) to use.
I find this mask to be a little more intense while it’s on, and my face is red for about 30 minutes or so after I wash it off. I would recommend only using it before you go to bed at night, but it definitely gives good results.