Most people long for beautiful, glowing skin. However, unless you’ve won the genetic lottery, this is an effort that requires a lot of research and trial and error. It’s crucial to incorporate research when you’re making decisions regarding what goes in and on your body for a sense of peace and clarity. To feel comfortable about what you’re putting on your skin, consider the following tips for building a natural skin care routine.
1. Know Your Skin Type
Because there are so many products that address an array of issues, it’s more than possible to perfectly curate a routine that works for your specific needs. Unfortunately, if you don’t know what your needs are, you might just pick up anything with pretty packaging. Instead, get clear on what your skin care needs by knowing your skin type.
If you’re dealing with melasma (a skin condition that causes spots and patches), you’ll want to prioritize sustainable skin care that can directly address the patches as well as the discoloration. If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, that’s a different issue. An enzymatic exfoliant might exacerbate melasma yet work for acne hyperpigmentation. As it pertains to skin care and skin types, one size doesn’t fit all.
Hone in on your specific needs so that you can research to find the ingredients that work well for your skin type. In order to know what works, take a look at research and results found by holistic skin care professionals. Check out board-certified dermatologists and aestheticians who provide help and online commentary. Read different articles and books that talk about natural skin care and the ways to naturally address various skin care needs from a holistic standpoint.
2. Use Products in a Specific Order
Start by cleansing the skin. Use a gentle cleansing method to carefully treat the tender, fragile skin on your face. Then, pat your skin damp, and apply a toner. Toners are helpful for several reasons, from fading discoloration to brightening skin clarity and tone.
Use serums based on your skin care needs. Serums address a range of goals. From anti-aging serums to exfoliating serums, consider them a type of topical treatment to address concerns you’re dealing with. Moisturizers are essential as you’ll want to lock in all of the topical hydration and nutrients the previous products provided. Plus, moisturizers help the skin maintain buoyancy and soft appeal. Protection, in the form of sunscreen, is vital. Granted, it’s only mandatory during the day. Still, you’ll want to apply and reapply sunscreen to get the most out of your entire routine.
3. Read and Research the Ingredients
Before you pick up refills of face wash and soap bars, check out the ingredient list. Read more about what each ingredient does. When you’re building a natural skin care routine, be informed about the different products and how they can serve you best.
Activated charcoal is known to provide great results in terms of cleansing. The same could be said for certain types of clay and oils. Oils, such as tea tree oil and chamomile, can do wonders for cleansing in a gentle manner. However, you have to research those specific ingredients to understand how effective they can be in your routine.
4. Consider Shelf Life
One of the reasons why sustainable skin care and natural skin care continue to rise in popularity is because of their natural appeal. A lot of manufactured products contain toxins, chemicals and fragrances that negatively interact with the skin as well as the environment. When a company produces sustainably sourced products, this is very attractive to many consumers. Many people love the idea of being aware of every product that’s going on their skin.
Alternatively, one of the main reasons why major companies mass-produce in a certain way is to sustain profitability. They need the products to have a longer shelf life to scale, collect profits and remain effective. Consequently, when you’re buying natural skin care products, you’ll need to consider the expiration dates.
Understand how to properly store the products you purchase to keep them shelf stable for as long as possible. Some products work better when they’re stored in the refrigerator. Other products work best when they’re stored in areas that are dry and dark.
5. Create Routines for Time of Day
Become methodical regarding the times that you use specific products. You can use a natural lip balm at any hour of the day, but some products will perform better if used during your morning or night time routine.
When you’re using a number of alpha-hydroxy acids, be mindful of whether they’re applied in the morning or the evening. While there are conflicting studies regarding whether it’s better to use Vitamin C serums in the morning or at night, it’s OK to experiment and see what works best for you.
However, even on a cloudy day, you should wear sunscreen. Therefore, sunscreen needs to be a part of your morning routine every single day. Remain mindful that the sun’s UV rays hold the power to ruin an otherwise perfect skin care routine, so protection is key.
Consistency Matters
As you incorporate these tips into your skin care routine, always remember to give the process some time to unfold. As you learn what works and remain consistent with it, you’ll uncover the best natural skin care routine for your needs.