My Super-Simple All-Natural Skincare And Beauty Routine
Body DIY DIY Skincare & Beauty Natural Beauty Natural DIY
Looking to make the switch to an all-natural skincare and beauty routine? Wondering where to start and which products actually perform!? Take a peek inside my super simple routine, targeted to prevent blemishes and fight the signs of aging… naturally of course!
A lot of readers ask me for all the details on all the things I put on my face.
(Oh hey!)
If you’ve been around these parts before, you’ll know this is because I struggled with adult acne in my early 20s.
During this time, I spent a small fortune on dermo appointments and skincare products, wasted countless hours orchestrating the daily battle between my concealer and blemishes, cried a lot (true story), and put a ton of unhealthy chemicals on my face — harsh, kill-all-the-acne-causing-bacteria-there-ever-was chemicals.
As I learned more about health and body burden, I knew I needed to get these chemicals out of my life but was scared. What about my skin!?
Didn’t I need these chemicals?
Ironically, doing a full 180 and adopting a very gentle, totally natural skincare and beauty routine (along with a nutrient-dense diet, of course!) finally helped me achieve the clear skin of my dreams.
Nowadays, my skincare routine is also geared towards anti-aging.
(Hello, 33!)
And since I geek out on natural skincare and beauty more than anything else in this whole wide world, it seemed only appropriate to finally put a post together about my natural skincare and beauty routine.
My routine is actually very simple and I hope will be inspire you to go natural or simply try something new!
Now you may still be wondering…
Do natural skincare and beauty products actually work?
Oh absolutely!
Yes, once upon a time it was pretty hard to find a natural mascara that lasted more than an hour without flaking under your eyes.
But as demand for safer products and the natural beauty market has grown, we know have a ton of safe, natural, high-performing options to choose from.
So no, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty in the name of health or vice versa!
And many natural, non-toxic skincare ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, CoQ10, charcoal, and niacinamide are so effective that they’ve even snuck into mainstream beauty lines. And skincare practices like exfoliation help prevent blemishes and increase collagen production — whether you’re using a natural exfoliant or nasty-filled exfoliant! So why not choose the nasty-free version, I say!
OK so let’s get to it!
My Super-Simple All-Natural Skincare And Beauty Routine: Skincare
CLEANSER
I wash my face just once a day, every evening. Yes, just once a day!
Over-washing your face can easily throw off the pH and microbiome of your skin, both of which are key for keeping skin healthy and clear.
I alternate between InstaNatural’s Vitamin C Cleanser which is a very gentle gel cleanser, and InstaNatural’s Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser so as not to over-exfoliate my skin. That being said, glycolic acid is a wonderful exfoliant that helps to both keep blemishes and signs of aging away. Win win!
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation is an absolute MUST. So if you’re not doing it yet, you need to start ASAP, my friend. Because it helps to keep pores clear and stimulates collagen production. Plus, it improves skin texture and helps makeup go on much more smoothly.
But when it comes to exfoliation, it’s so important not to overdo it! Those with oily skin should exfoliate 1-2 times a week while those with more sensitive or dry skin should exfoliate no more than once a week. And since I do use an exfoliating face wash every other day, I exfoliate just once a week.
I prefer and recommend chemical exfoliants (acids and enzymes) over granular exfoliants (scrubs). Currently loving: Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask and my own Body Unburdened Pink Perfect & Protect Customizable Mud Mask mixed with yogurt (which contains exfoliating lactic acid)!
FACE MIST
I have a small hydrosol obsession! They smell amazing and provide skin with the benefits of these pure botanical extracts. I’ve honestly tried nearly all of them (embarrassing to admit!)… but love lavender and neroli most.
VITAMIN C SERUM
Vitamin C does it all. As a powerful antioxidant it helps to reduce blemishes by preventing sebum oxidation, increases the production of collagen, and helps lighten dark spots.
Now I’ve tried A LOT of different vitamin C serums and my favorite is definitely Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum. Rather than l-ascorbic acid (which can be very irritating and oxidizes easily), it contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is very gentle, much more stable, and studies have found to be beneficial for fighting breakouts and acne. It also contains a bunch of other skin-loving goodies like hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant ferulic acid, and konjac root (which helps fade hyperpigmentation). So much to love!
NATURAL MOISTURIZER
It’s all about the face oils, baby. Whenever anyone compliments my skin (it still blows my mind when that happens!), I immediately blurt out “FACE OIL!” and start gushing all about it the way a young child gushes about a day at the beach/their favorite movie/mermaids/anything remotely exciting — you know, very quickly and with an intense enthusiasm.
I’ve tried dozens of different face oils over the years — I’m fascinated by the different fatty acid compositions and the impact this has on different skin types. Their unique vitamin and mineral contents, scents, and textures. And I’ve recently taken this years of obsessing research and bottled up my very best blends for you too — Body Unburdened Beauty Blends!
At night after cleansing, exfoliating, and toning, I very generously apply Beauty Blend No.1. While I used to apply oils both day and night, I now often use a natural CC cream during the day (see below) for some SPF coverage and sheer color.
FACE MASKS
Oh goodness, do I love a good face mask. I apply a mask about twice a week — an exfoliating mask like mentioned above once a week and either a clay-based or hydrating mask depending on my skin’s needs.
If my skin is dry/irritated, I’ll just slather on some organic raw honey — honey is a natural humectant that draws and holds water to the skin.
Most typically though, I mix the honey along with some water into one of my Body Unburdened Customizable Mud Masks for the added benefit of pore-perfecting clays, hydrating marshmallow and aloe, and powerful fruit and herbal extracts! (Yes, I had a lot of fun formulating and testing these!)
The cult classic DIY All-Natural Blackhead Busting Blackout Mask is also still occasionally on rotation 🙂
My Super-Simple All-Natural Skincare And Beauty Routine: Beauty
NATURAL SPF + COLOR
I’m obsessed with
On days when I need a little extra coverage or to prevent shine, I apply 100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Powder Foundation on top.
I also use 100% Pure’s Long Last Concealer with Super Fruits under my eyes. Thanks to genetics, I have pretty bad dark circles AND eyes that scrunch way way up when I smile. So a lot of concealers look cakey and accentuate my expression lines around my eyes — not a good look. This is the only concealer I’ve found so far that doesn’t!
NATURAL MASCARA
100% Pure’s Black Tea Mascara. Hands down. The best. Enough said.
EYESHADOW
I’m obsessed with creamy eye shadows that give a little bit of color and shine without making me look like a 13 year-old from 1998 (in other words, really glittery) — they somehow make my whole face seem brighter and all glowy. Little miracle workers!
My favorites: RMS Beauty Eye Polish (in just about every color!).
LIP COLOR
Ahh I love a colored lip! Even when I’m a total mess, it makes me feel pulled together and lady-like.
For a night out or more bold look, Jane Iredale’s Forever Pink Lip Stain is where it’s at — as the name suggests 🙂 it’s a bright pink that lasts forever.
That’s it! Pretty simple, huh?
My morning beauty routine only takes about 2-3 minutes using the above products and THAT is a beautiful thing. Honestly, I spend more time staring at the fridge deciding what to eat for breakfast.
And like I said, it’s ironic that adopting a very simple, natural skincare routine was able to totally change my complexion — I used to think that I really needed all of those harsh chemicals in the products I was using, and the more the merrier. Now I know better (heck, I even only wash my face once a day!) and my tears are spent on much more important things, like the movie Up (seriously, I had no idea it would be such a tear-jerker!!).
What are your natural skincare favorites? Anything in particular that’s really saved your skin? Or do you have any questions or comments? Share below in the comments!
Interested in natural skincare and beauty? You’re in the right place!
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Hi Nadia!
I just started following your all-natural beauty routine — is it natural to break out more during the first week?
Thanks!
Dang girl, just gotta say, your skin looks absolutely beautiful/flawless! and those lashes!
Hi, SheShe. Thanks for letting me know!! I will have to take a look at that.
I recently created The Natural Beauty Master List with some of my favorites + some natural beauty cult classics. I include BB and CC creams in the skincare section. You may also want to take a look at the tinted moisturizers!
Just letting you know, the Andalou CC creme you recommend looks to have changed its formula to contain dimethicone and other pore clogging ingredients. I have searched and searched and can not find a BB or CC creme, or any other tinted mositurizer that does not contain these ingredients or other harmful ingredients. Do you have any new recommendations?
Hey Nadia, your skin is so flawless… I can’t believe that you ever had any acne…. I have a question…. I never had acne during my teens but now I am in my late 30s and I get these horrible acne every now and then… The worst part is that they leave behind these reddish black acne scars…. What kind of essential oil concoction you would suggest to lighten these scars and brightening my complexion??
Thanks in advance..
Hey, Maria! So happy to have you as a new reader 🙂 Honestly I don’t think there’s not too big of a difference between the two. I’ve always understood that CC creams are formulated more for anti-aging, but both provide sheer coverage, SPF, and lots of skin-loving goodies.
Hi Nadia and all,
New reader and very excited to see that some of the things I use are similar to what you are using here. My only question is the CC cream. I’m using a BB cream. Is there a large difference between to 2 and/or does it really matter? Also would you recommend one over the other or are you partial to the CC creams you’ve tried and don’t bother with BB creams?
Hi
Can you please recommend some products for my face please
I am 58 years old and i just had a face lift done,swelling is still there a little and am finding my face dry
I am so over the products over the counter which really dont do anything at all
I also have bad black circles under the eyes
I dont do much to my face ,i wash with soap and give it a srub once a week and apply moisturizer
Thanks for your time
Anne
Thank you so much for all the details! I’ve had bad acne for years and I’ve been searching for all naturals beauty routines. I was wondering if you got scars when you had acne, and if you did how you got rid of them, or if you didn’t do you know how to get rid of acne scars?
It should be used with a regular pump, not foaming 🙂
Does the manuka honey/castile soap face wash mix fare better with a foaming pump like the other one? Or is it okay with a normal (non-foaming) pump?
Hey, Angela! So glad you find it helpful 🙂 I’m kind of always on the lookout for the best, non-toxic haircare but right now and am really loving Pure Life Soap Co. It smells amazing but doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance and very much acts and feels like like a “normal” shampoo and conditioner.
Jojoba and/or grapeseed would probably be best for acne-prone but also dry skin. Shea butter is also amazing for extra moisture. And be sure to drink enough water! Skin hydration depends on your water intake whereas moisture is governed by oil (which kind of locks the moisture in).
Best of luck! Please report back with how everything works for you 🙂
Hi Nadia,
Thanks for writing your blog. My body seems to be revolting against everything lately so I’m trying to switch my routine to be as clean/chemical free as possible both inside and out. I love the fact that you provide not just the what to use, but why. Really appreciate the educational aspect of your blog.
Do you have a recommendation for shampoo & conditioner?
Also, I am picking up all of the ingredients to make the DIY All-Natural Face Oil For Acne-Prone and Oily Skin. I currently have acne-prone, very dry & sensitive skin. Would you recommend tweaking the formula since I have ultra dry skin?
What are your thoughts on microneedling?
Thanks again!
Angela
I would just like to say THANK YOU for this post. I have switched my skin care routine, using yours as an inspiration, and it has completely changed my skin! My skin has never looked better! You introduced me to facial oils and I am forever grateful. I reference this post so often that I have it bookmarked, lol. Keep us updated with new natural skin care 🙂
Hi Nadia,
I just found your site and love it! Thanks for sharing so much useful information! I made and have started using your recipe for foaming cleanser, as well as the acne prone face oil and, so far, so GREAT!
I was wondering if you had any tips for traveling with the facial cleanser? I assume the soap will still work just fine if it is not pumped through the foaming pump, but didn’t know if you had any special containers you used for your soap while traveling.
Thanks so much again, your blog has been a life/face saver! 🙂
Sometimes I’ll splash water on it but usually I’ll just do nothing and apply my CC cream or SPF moisturizer.
As you said, you wash your face just once a day in the evening. So do you just use water for facewash in the morning and use toner after that?
Hi Nadia,
Wondering if your DIY acne oil is okay to use with rosehip? If so, would you suggest I layer one first over the other? Or, should I do one in the morning vs at night?
Thanks! Love your site.
Hello,
I was wondering could I use carrot seed, Frankincense, Lavender, and Geranium and add witch hazel to make a toner? I feel like my skin has gone through so many changes and I can’t seem to pinpoint what it is. I was reading that these oils are good for the face which makes me want to use all of them….
Thanks,
Thank you very much. To make your skin beautiful there are various products in the market but if you use the natural product then it is really beneficial for your skin.