In college, I had terrible skin. I was breaking out so much I had breakouts on top of my breakouts. Now that I’m in my 30’s I’ve started to notice these little lines on my face called..what’s the word again? Wrinkles. Suffice it to say, my skincare routine is very important to me and fortunately, after many years of experimentation I’ve got a natural skincare routine down that I love and think you will too.
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My Natural Skincare Routine
1.) EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Coconut Oil
I’ll start here because unless you were blessed with flawless skin and naturally pink lips, I am guessing you wear makeup. Most days mine consists of just a natural powder foundation, mascara, and lipstick.
I use coconut oil on a cotton ball to remove my eye make-up and lipstick. It’s effective and also good for your eyelashes. Plus, it won’t sting your eyes like some of the store-bought ones. I wouldn’t recommend using it to remove your foundation, though, as it will leave your face greasy, and is hard to remove with soap.
2.) FACE CLEANSER: Microfiber Cloths & Homemade Face Wash
If you don’t have any microfiber cloths yet it is time to invest in some. They range anywhere from a couple of dollars on Amazon to around $20/$25 apiece from Sephora or Jane Iredale. My favorite so far has been regular microfiber cloths from Amazon.
1.) Thoroughly wet the cloth and remove as much makeup with that alone as you can. Many of them claim they can remove 100% of your makeup with no soap and for the most part, this claim is true. They also work great at removing stubborn eye makeup.
2.) I then rinse the cloth and I either use Nourish Organics face wash, or more likely, my own. Click here to make a Rose & Almond face wash that I absolutely love. Switch out the rose soap with tea tree if you struggle with acne.
3.) TONER: Witch Hazel or Apple Cider Vinegar
For everyday toning, I use regular witch hazel. (T.N. Dickinson or Thayers only). There are cheap brands out there that are not 100% witch hazel; make sure to read the bottle. Some days I add rose essential oil to my witch hazel for even clearer skin.
For weeks my skin is causing me trouble I tone it with Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. You must use Bragg’s and only Bragg’s. If you have sensitive skin, mix the ACV with a little water before rubbing on your face. I use it straight and it’s my go-to to clear up skin overnight.
4.) MOISTURIZER: DIY Face Lotion for Sensitive skin
Store-bought moisturizers all seem to make me break out so I’ve switched to using a 100% natural moisturizer, either grape seed oil or almond oil. However, it doesn’t always provide the moisture I need so I came up with my own! It’s a DIY face lotion for sensitive skin that also attacks wrinkles and acne too.
5.) EXFOLIATE: Baking soda
Exfoliation is necessary to remove dead skin cells, letting more youthful skin shine through. After thoroughly cleansing my face I like to mix a little baking soda with water and gently scrub. Being gentle is key as you don’t want to irritate your skin, although it is common for it to cause a slight redness. Rinse with cool water and moisturize!
You can also use sugar, salt or even ground oatmeal to scrub your face.
6.) MASKS
My new favorite mask is my DIY Turmeric Mask to mix turmeric powder, milk, and honey. It addresses acne, wrinkles, rosacea – just about any skin issue you could have. I try to use it about once a week.
SHRINK PORES & ZAP ZITs: Last but not least, my skincare secret is an ice facial. Yes, rubbing ice on your face can shrink pores, wrinkles, reduce acne and give your skin a glow.
And that’s it. This simple and inexpensive skin care routine has cleared up my skin better than anything else as well as fights wrinkles.
What natural or DIY routine do you use for your skin? I’d love to know.
This is so awesome. Love making homemade natural items and all of these are perfect.
Homemade are the best. Thanks for stopping by, Candy.
These are great. Thank you so much for being generous to share them!
Thanks, Laurie. I hope they work for you too!
Such good ideas! I use ACV for toner and it has made a HUGE difference on my skin.
I know – it’s the best!
Loved this! Thanks so muc for sharing!! I will definitely be putting these tips to use!
Awesome – I hope they work for you!
These are great tips! I had breakouts when I was young, and large pores. I do not wear any kind of fountain because even as an adult it will break me out, and makes my skin oily. I love making my own face wash, but have never tried apple cider as a toner. I love tea tree oil and add that to my homemade face wash. What I have found that works great, when you feel a pimple coming up under the skin is to add a little dab of tooth paste to that spot before bed. The regular kind. Wash off in the morning.
I’ve tried the toothpaste trick and can agree it works too!
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve been trying to change to a more natural skincare routine and am so scared that my skin will break out!
The trick is to do it all the way. I tried just switching to a natural face wash, but was still using other store bought products on my face after that would cause breakouts.
I am going to have to try some of these – I love the idea of the facemask
It’s truly great, little messy, but a skin-changer.
I used to use coconut oil for eye makeup remover, maybe I should go back to it. It didn’t work as moisturizer for me either.
Yah I hated it as a moisturizer, but works great at taking makeup off. Not only that but my eyelashes have been growing longer because of it!
Sarah all of your skin care steps are so great, I love natural everything and am using a lot, but all store bought so far. I am using a lot of Dr. Hauschka, but it gets expensive, lol. Will have to go through all of your great recipes for sure and try to make my own! Grape Seed Oil sounds great, I am using a grape seed “primer” and I love it…
Yes to all of these! Coconut oil can be used for so many things too!
that’s why I have a huge jar in my cupboard! haha
Sarah – love all your tips. I follow most of them.
I have never tried Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner – I will give it a try!
Great! I’d try watering it down for the first time.
This are great tips! I do pretty similar things to yours but haven’t tried the microfibre washers .. what a great idea! I’ll give them a try 🙂 Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Yah I love them. I am also discovering a love for konjic sponges. Anti bacterial (so they so) but super easy to clean and store!
That’s a great routine! I love natural skincare and coconut oil is one of my favorite things ever, haha. 🙂 Awesome post!
Thank you! Coconut oil makes me break out but so many people swear by it!
So many great tips here! Love it. I am trying to be much more conscientious about what I put in my body, and on it. My daughter has had some breakout issues and this is the perfect post to help her out.
I think I am going to gather the ingredients and put them in a basket for Christmas, then we can make them together! Love it!
awesome – I hope they work for her! They’ve definitely helped my skin.
I use coconut oil to remove my makeup as well. It works like a charm!
And helps my eyelashes grow longer too!
I love your routine. You have some great tips that I need to put into action. Thank you for sharing.
These are such great recommendations. I also love using baking soda to exfoliate my skin, and it really brightens my skin. Thank you for sharing this natural skincare routine. Really helpful! 🙂