My skincare routine needs to be flexible because the routine changes based on what my skin is telling me, the weather, how much time I’ve got on a given morning, how much energy I wake up with, and how much energy I’ve got left at the end of the day.
The one thing that NEVER changes, no matter how much effort I’m putting in, is that I will always use and recommend SAFE, effective products free of known toxins.
The products I use range from natural to the best of safe science. I’m all about easy, quick and effective. As a working mom I don’t have a ton of time – and honestly that’s okay! These natural skincare tips will get you fresh faced in no time.
First things first. You absolutely do not need ALL.THE.THINGS. Instead, pick and choose what sounds most relevant to you and your skin.
Before we dive in, I want to mention skin type. I have combination skin, which means my cheeks are dry and my T-zone is oily. My skin gets dryer in the winter and tends more toward oily in the summer. I make adjustments based upon how my face is reacting to my routine.
Cleanse
You may recall that I love the oil cleansing method, but it takes way too much time. I still use it on the weekends when I’m not so rushed, but during the week I found that I had to make adjustments for time.
Morning
After waking I grab my Norwex Enviro Cloth and wipe my face clean.
Evening
I am absolutely obsessed with the Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar. The green tea in it reduces inflammation, and the charcoal binds to impurities.
A couple times a week, I use Beautycounter Cleansing Balm. It’s super moisturizing and applied much like my beloved oil cleansing method, but the ingredients include both oils and emulsifiers.
The Cleansing Balm contains glyceryl stearate which helps the skin to retain moisture. There’s also shea butter, mango seed butter, and raspberry seed oil to make your face happy.
Tone
I’m not going to lie – I haven’t been toning my face on a regular basis, but that’s a huge mistake. When you do it right, you can do everything from soothe to re-balance pH to upset skin.
Right after cleansing I spray LUSH’s Breath of Fresh Air toner on my face followed by Beautycounter’s Rosewater Spray. I’ve noticed a reduction in redness and breakouts when I do this regularly. Plus, they both smell heavenly!
Exfoliate
I’m not a huge fan of harsh scrubbing because if you overdo, you end up with broken capillaries and scratches on your face. Not cute at all. But when done correctly, gentle exfoliation can be quite beneficial for clearing out hard to reach dirt and debris that would otherwise become a major breakout.
I love Beautycounter’s Nourishing Cream Exfoliator which uses non-abrasive jojoba beads to help slough off dry skin, and organic coconut oil and aloe to soothe and hydrate.
When I feel my skin needs some brightening I use the 100 Percent Pure Brightening Scrub & Mask. It uses effective actives like sodium ascorbate, kojic acid, and licorice root to soothe as it brightens.
If you’re opposed to scrubbing, try a gentle pumpkin enzyme peel. It’s one of my favorites.
Masks
I use my Purifying Charcoal Mask a few times each week. This is one of my hands down favorite products. It contains clarifying charcoal, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. It is awesome for clearing blackheads and acne but gentle enough to use every few days.
When I feel like I’m breaking out more than normal, I grab my bentonite clay and mix up mask with a 50/50 blend of water and apple cider vinegar, then apply with a clean brush and let dry. I also use it as a spot treatment if I have stubborn zits.
Serums
Serums are ultra-concentrated and designed to absorb quickly (that’s why the good ones are so pricey).
Morning
I use the Coffee Bean Serum after wiping, and toning. It’s a great makeup primer and is one of my all time favorite products.
Evening
I use a few drops of C-Ex, which is a powerful anti-aging, nutritive serum created through a collaboration of Liz Wolfe, author of the Purely Primal Skincare Guide and Primal Life Organics. There’s truly nothing on the market that can touch C-Ex. We built our “dream vitamin C serum” and the reviews speak for itself! Read more here.
The Coffee Bean Serum and C-Ex are available as a package at a discount.
Moisturize
Caffeine has been found to repair DNA, reduce redness and puffiness by increasing circulation, and mobilizing sodium to fight water retention. If you have huge dark circles like me, you can’t ignore the awesome benefits.
While the Coffee Bean Serum is amazing, I prefer to use water or cream-based treatments around my eyes. They absorb very quickly and I have less of an issue with getting them in my sensitive eyes. Since caffeine is both oil and water-soluble, this delivery system is just as effective. Knowing this, I prefer the 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. I’m currently out, so I’ve been using Nourishing Eye Cream and am really enjoying it.
If you feel like your skin needs additional moisture after you use a serum (when I’m traveling this is definitely the case), I highly recommend Beautycounter’s Nourising Day Cream which is easily absorbed and never greasy. The unscented formula contains organic coconut oil, safflower oil, and aloe to provide nourishing hydration, plus antioxidant-rich acai to protect against dry skin.
Makeup
I’ve slowly replaced all my makeup with Beautycounter. It’s the safest and most effective option for me. Beautycounter tests all color cosmetics three times for heavy metal contamination. They also rigorously screen every single ingredient for safety.
I love Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer for days when I don’t have time for a full face. When I do, I use the following products:
Foundation
Tint Skin Foundation has actually helped improve my skin. This foundation has great coverage and it’s moisturizing. Moisture is a large part of skin barrier function, so the more moisture you can retain, the better.
Concealer
I am obsessed with the Concealer Pen. It’s so easy to travel with and apply. Plus it works.
Color Pallette
I can only hope this will be available after the holidays, but I’m not counting on it. It contains Beautycounter’s shadow, bronzer, and blush in one convenient compact.
Mascara
The Lengthening Mascara lengthens, conditions, but doesn’t flake, itch, or run like other mascaras I’ve used. You’ll need the Cleansing Balm to remove it because regular soap and water won’t touch it.
It’s Not Complicated
In the morning I wipe my face, spray on toner and rosewater, then apply coffee bean serum. I apply makeup if I have time, tinted moisturizer and mascara if I don’t.
In the evening I cleanse my face using the Charcoal Bar or Cleansing Balm, spray on toner and rosewater, the apply the C-Ex serum. I also apply my eye cream.
I exfoliate in the shower or apply a mask depending on what I need.
See? Simple!