Using gentle natural ingredients is the best approach for healthy skin care versus forcing our skin into submission with strong chemicals, abrasive scrubs, and drying tonics. When the skin isn’t stripped with harsh cleansers and soaps, keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized is so much easier. Squeaky clean skin completely removes all of the skin’s natural oils creating an imbalance with the skin’s acid mantle, our skin’s most faithful protector. Our skin has the phenomenal ability to balance and heal itself. Using ingredients that do not disrupt this ability and instead aid it are key.
Many of you know I enjoy keeping everything as simple as I can. I also feel that learning about minimal natural ingredients for skin care allows you to better understand your skin while getting the exact results you desire without spending tons of money. Here are simple skin loving ingredients that will hydrate and moisturize all skin types.
Hydrating Skin
When skin looses hydration it is prone to skin ailments as well as aging. One of the most inexpensive ways to hydrate skin to to drinks lots of pure water. Drinking the amount of water that is half of your body weight in ounces daily is one of the best ways to know if you are hydrating yourself sufficiently form the inside out.
Herbal Facial Steams
To keep skin hydrated I LOVE to do herbal facial steams. They are so soothing and relaxing, and I feel like I’m giving myself such a treat. A ten minute herbal facial steam 1-2 times a week will improve the overall feel and look of your skin. You can read more about herbal facial steams and exactly how I do them here.
The other option for hydrating the skin is by applying topical skin care ingredients to the skin. Some think of toners for this step, yet it really depends on the ingredients in the toner. In general toners are used to remove anything that your cleanser has not, yet if the toner contains alcohol or any other drying ingredient this can be counterproductive.
Hydrosols
Instead of using a drying toner, I believe hydrosols/floral waters are even better. Hydrosols are also especially nice if you like the refreshing scent that they provide. You can find many different types of hydrosols such as basil, calendula, catnip, chamomile, cucumber, lavendar, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lime, peppermint, rose geranium, rose, rosemary, and tulsi. Depending upon what flower or herb that is used to create the hydrosol will help you understand its distinct properties and benefits.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an incredible healing tonic for skin. It helps to balance the skin’s pH and gently tones the skin. Aloe vera is most known for its ability to heal wounds by promoting cell growth and repair. This alone makes it wonderful for any skin irritations, counteracting wrinkles, and other skin ailments. I’ve purchased aloe vera juice by the gallon, the inner fillet gel, and also the pure aloe vera leaf which I wrote about here.
Raw Honey
Lastly if you don’t use raw honey as a face wash, adding raw honey weekly as an incredible hydrating facial mask may be for you. Raw honey will also brighten and soften your skin. Read more about using raw honey in skin care here.
Moisturizing Skin
Using nourishing carrier oils provide elasticity and help maintain hydration for your skin. I’ve noticed that using natural and gentle facial cleansers, especially oil cleansing allows me to not need to moisturize my extremely sensitive combination skin as much as I used to. Simple carrier oils and carrier oil blends are all one needs to keep skin moisturized no matter your skin type.
Oils High in Linoleic Acid
If you have acne prone skin no matter your skin type, it is crucial that you only use carrier oils that are high in linoleic acid. When our skin is deficient in linoleic acid, our skin’s natural sebum becomes thick and sticky which clogs pores and creates acne. Simply applying oils high in linoleic acid softens and soothes our skin’s sebum to prevent clogged pores, acne, and breakouts. You can read the full article here.
DIY Facial Serum
If you are curious how to create your own facial serum check out this recipe for a Rosehip & Carrot Seed Facial Serum Recipe for Mature, Dry or Damaged Skin. You can modify this recipe for oily, combination, acne prone skin by swapping out the jojoba oil for an oil high in linoleic acid. The essential oils in this serum are wonderful for skin regeneration for all skin types. You can also see five natural anti-aging oils for skin here.
Less is More
I used to make my skin care regimen extremely complicated as I was obsessed over having a “perfect” complexion for working in the industry. I was in a consistent cycle of breaking out then working extra hard to soften the dark scars that formed after the blemish went away. Doing less to my skin overall and learning about oleic vs linoleic acid compositions in carrier oils is what took my skin the next level. You can see my daily skin care regimen here and my weekly skin care regimen here. As a side note it is very important to learn how to listen to your skin’s needs and likes. Even if it is 100% natural, your skin still has its preferences.
The final segment of this four part series will be about skin treatments and simple body care. If you haven’t yet check out…
No More Chemical Skin Care–Part 1–Introduction
No More Chemical Skin Care–Part 2–Simple Facial Cleansers
No More Chemical Skin Care–Part 4–Treatments & Body Care
(Image by peacechild.org)
Mademoiselle Natre says
Great post! enjoyed reading it 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks Mademoiselle Natre! Hope you are having a great weekend!
Tracy says
Very Informative, do you have any recipes for making a hydrosol?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tracey,
The process for making hydrosols are complicated. I have made face, hair, and body sprays with herbs similar to making an herbal tea infusion like this one though. <3
AJ says
Great post! I’ve been loving your skin care posts 🙂
AJ | TheAJMinute | @TheAJMinute
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks AJ <3
D.E. says
Hi Dawn,
I’m just wondering whether there is a particular sunscreen that you use? I currently use Kiss My Face (I got it as a gift from the company). The consistency and texture is fine and thankfully it is non-comedogenic but it cast that chalky white-greyish pall over my skin that I cannot stand.
Do you have any suggestions? What do you use?
This blog is filled with great ideas, by the way and is a must read 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks D.E.! I don’t wear a separate sunscreen daily because my DIY foundation is created from the Badger’s Sunscreen as the base. You can see the exact recipe here. I also like Devita Solar Protective Sunscreen. <3
Brianna says
I love this series!! Very helpful! The only thing I probably won’t try is the facial steam because I have rosacea, but overall I learned a lot!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Brianna, Thanks so much for your comment! Hope you are having an incredible weekend!
D.E. says
Wow, thanks Dawn. I’ve heard great things about Devita Solar Protective Sunscreen, don’t know why I never remembered this before! Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Trina says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
I found making a serum with carrot seed, rosehip,tumeric oil, and tamanu oil that I add aloe vera to for night time hydration to be hydrating for my dry and delicate skin. It is almost perfect yet my skin still feels a little dry. Any suggestions.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Trina,
What are you washing your face with? I’ve noticed that sometimes facial cleansers or even toners can strip the skin too much. Also I’ve found that steaming my skin is the best way to increase moisture in my skin.
hinata says
Have you tried pearl powder for skincare? I heard about it recently and I’m kinda curious about it.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Hinata,
I have “heard” about pearl powder in skincare, but haven’t done any research about this ingredient, nor have I had any personal experience using a product with it. There are so many natural skincare ingredients that are healing to skin. I personally like to keep things simple.
Sometimes exotic ingredients are used in skin care products for marketing purposes and sometimes they are actually in the product for their healing properties. It is important to do your research which you are doing 😉 and also learn how to read ingredient labels. It is so empowering as a consumer. Hope you are enjoying your day!
Shiv Sharma says
My grandmother used to tell small tips on skin care. Taking more volume of water will reduces all skin problems, also applying aloe vera smoothens and reduces the aging of the skin. I am following the same and I just want to share my tip for skin care to all the readers.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Shiv Sharma,
These are great tips! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day!
Lana says
Hi Dawn,
I’m having some pretty bad jaw/lower cheek acne lately and trying to investigate why it seems to have gotten so much worse in the past couple of weeks (besides a lot of stress 🙁 ). It’s very inflamed. Same routine I have described before (raw honey and cinnamon as am cleanser, raw ACV pH balanced with water and a few drops of lavender oil am and PM as toner, oil cleanse with grape seed oil at night, and DeVita sunscreen in the morning after honey and vinegar). I did add an organic salicylic acid treatment for the acne (andalou naturals vanishing gel) once a night on my cheeks and chin and I thought it was working at first, but the acne keeps raging on. I’m not moisturizing at all, but I don’t feel particularly dry or oily. Do I need to moisturize? Cut down on carbs? Any other ideas? I know you mentioned EstroBlock, and I’m going to ask my naturopath about it when I see her in a few months. I’m also a face picker, perhaps I should stop that 😛 They are just inflamed and pus-filled, and it’s hard not to. This helpful site also mentioned spearmint tea, have you tried that for balancing hormones? Also, any other treatments of yours you could recommend to take down the inflammation would be greatly appreciated. I’ve tried icing my face before, but I feel like sometimes that irritates it more.
http://www.skinacea.com/personal/how-I-cleared-my-skin.html#.U0xM6txbTwI
Sorry to pepper you with questions, I’m just tired of feeling itchy and inflamed 🙁 I hope you are having lovely weather in Cali and enjoying the springtime! 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lana,
If you are having irritation try removing the cinnamon from your raw honey cleanser and not using the apple cider vinegar toner. I’ve never used cinnamon on my skin because it can be irritating. Because your skin may be irritated by the cinnamon the apple cider vinegar may then be too much for the skin.
Sometimes when we really want to clear our skin we do too much as a result. Even with clearing acne less is definitely more. I noticed even in the beginning of healing acne that when I literally gave my skin a break and just rinsed it with water along with wearing no makeup for a few days my skin had a chance to relax and balance itself.
I enjoy oil cleansing with high linoleic oils mainly because it is one product that I use to cleanse and moisturize with. Even with oil cleansing there are days when I still don’t do anything skin care wise except rinse with water and moisturize. Those are obviously days I’m not wearing makeup either.
My suggestion is to remove any makeup, let your skin just be for as many days as possible, rinse and moisturize, and drink lots of water. You can also get allergy tested if you want, yet continue to eat healthy, eat organic, possibly avoid gluten as much as you can, and drink lots of water. Also a DIM supplement like Estroblock Pro does help with hormonal acne.
Best wishes!
Lana says
Sorry, one more thing, I was naughty and touched my face, but for a purpose! My t-zone feels a little oily, and my cheeks feel a little dry, so for some reason I’m not balanced. Argh!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lana,
You may like using oil blotting sheets. Just find ones that do not contain unnatural ingredients in them. Have a great day!
Lana says
Hi Dawn, thank you so much, this is really helpful! I probably am overwhelming my skin. I’m going to try what you recommend. When you say rinse and moisturize, do you mean AM or PM? So in the evening after OCM, should I just rinse and leave my skin alone, and in the am rinse with water and moisturize? (I use DeVita solar protective for moistire and sunscreen in one). In the past when I’ve used only water as an AM cleanser I broke out,.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lana,
In general do what you can to give your skin a rest from your previous skin care regimen. Sometimes just rinsing your face with water and moisturizing as needed with a high linoleic acid oil gives your skin that needed break. Modify this to work best for your skin’s needs. You can do this in the morning and evening too on days you do not wear makeup. A few days of minimal skin care is usually very helpful. Keep me posted and have a great day!
Elizabeth Yeng says
Very interesting, but I have rosacea on my cheeks and my skin looks dull and lifeless, what can I use to give life to my boring face? I read about raw honey and I’ll be getting it tomorrow. Thanks
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Elizabeth Yeng,
Have you ever tried rosehip seed oil? I recently wrote about it here. It is a regenerative carrier oil which gives the skin a glow. Let us know if you try it and how it works for you!
Rosie says
Hi Dawn . I have Rosacea and was wondering f you have any recommendations for helping it. It’s just so embarrassing to go out an have people ask me why I’m always blushing. And I’m such a joke cause of my name Rosie, Rosacea. Please help. I would be really appreciative. Xoxoxo
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Rosie,
It is possible that your skin is completely irritated. Try using raw honey or colloidal oatmeal as a facial cleanser and rosehip seed oil is amazing for skin regeneration. You can read more on natural skin care here. I love the less is more approach with skin care as it allows the acid mantle of the skin to heal. Also check out this article to see another approach. Best wishes!
Kandy says
Please sign me up for your newsletter
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kandy,
You can actually sign up for the newsletter in the right sidebar. Is the sign up not working for you?
Donna loveall says
Coconut oil as a face moisturizer.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Donna Loveall,
Coconut oil is a really wonderful carrier oil especially for those not acne prone and smells absolutely divine. Great for hair too. Thanks so much for sharing!
christine says
I need a good natural body wash that will help eliminate blemishes on back and chest. I am in my mid 40’s and have very dry skin on top of that. It gets so itchy. I currently use a natural soap that works pretty well and moisturize with hemp seed oil and then many times organic shea butter on top of that. I still have itchy dry skin. Any suggestions?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Christine,
You can find some easy body care recipes here which I hope will be helpful. My favorite is the sea salt scrub. I usually alternate between my oatmeal soap and a DIY body wash. I hope this helps!
June says
Hi Dawn,
I am getting ready to attempt to transition into a natural skin care regimen yet again (3rd times a charm, right?). I currently use a benzol peroxide wash with clindamycin in the mornings and tretinion gel at night. Also, I use a cerave lotion for my face. My face is relatively clear apart from some cystic acne on my cheeks and one REALLY painful under the skin cysts that is almost the size of a bean. It hurts a lot! Apart from that my skin is very oily in my t-zone and I just feel really bad to be feeding my skin such harsh chemicals.
What suggestions do you have as far as a cleanser, toner, exfoliator, and lotion to start off as? I was looking into Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber for a toner; however, I’m not sure what cleanser to use nor cream for my face.
Thanks in advance,
June
Dawn Michelle says
Hi June,
I prefer to keep things as simple as possible with skin care and focus primarily on internal health in regards to acne which I shared in detail here. With that said oil cleansing with a high linoleic oil using a soft microfiber cloth has been the most helpful for me especially when I was wearing makeup daily. The soft microfiber cloth gently exfoliates and I could also use the same oil for moisturizing. That’s three steps covered in only one product.
To tone I like using floral waters/hydrosols such as rose water or neroli water. Another favorite cleanser/mask is raw honey which has so many wonderful healing properties for the skin. More info on raw honey here.
Because your skin is used to using much stronger products, I would suggest slowly transitioning to natural skin care over 1-2 weeks time by replacing a morning or evening wash routine with a gentler product or routine. I feel that harsh acne products treat the skin like its bad when the skin is only telling us that there is a physical or emotional unbalance within that needs healing. I’ve also shared that skin that is treated harshly could also use a day or so vacation from all skin care which can be hard to do when we are used to fussing over it and applying so many different topicals. I hope this helps some and keep me posted on how things work out!