Natural Face Routine (guest post!)
I want to introduce you to Renee Prince. She is literally THE BEST and has been working with me behind-the-scenes for the last few months. She is pursing her health coaching certification now and I can't wait to see all that she accomplishes. You can read more about her below this post. (Thanks Renee! xo) Enjoy, ladies!
Am I the only one who has tried what feels like a hundred different face washes, moisturizers, exfoliators, and every other must have skincare product on the market? I highly doubt it! Which is exactly why I am writing this post.
First off, I know that each person's skin is very different so there’s no ‘one routine cures all’ method. However, there has been a lot of success using this cleansing routine on a wide variety of skin types. I am the absolute prototype of combination skin. I have an oily T-zone (nose and forehead) while my cheeks are red and dry. At several points in my life I was literally using one face wash on my forehead, and another on my cheeks. But enough about my skin drama, let’s get to the method I now swear by…
I’ve always been conscious of avoiding harmful ingredients in the products I use, but I’ve never considered trying a completely natural routine. Each item is chemical-free and is probably already in your pantry! And the best part? They really do work better than all of the creams, lotions, peels, toners and scrubs that we’ve been spending a fortune on!
So if you’re like me and have yet to find something that really works, I want to encourage you to give this method a try! Your skin will thank you :)
Step 1: Cleanse: So I know I’m late in the game and you’ve all probably heard the term ‘Oil Cleansing’ by now, but do you actually know anyone who does it?! My sister told me about it months ago, and after throwing away ANOTHER bottle of face wash out of pure frustration I decided to give it a try. I absolutely love it now! I will say that it’s not for the ladies that like a 30 second evening routine before they hop in bed. This takes a little time, but try to look at it as a way to wind down and pamper yourself before bed.
Oil cleansing is a weird concept because you would assume that adding oil to an already oily face would be your worst nightmare. Wrong! The oil used to massage your skin actually cleanses it by dissolving your body’s natural oil that has hardened with impurities and is clogging up your pores. It nourishes, moisturizes, and balances your skin in a way that soap and detergent based cleansers cannot. When done properly and consistently, oil cleansing can help with issues like dry skin, oily skin, blackheads, and whiteheads. It also removes makeup so no need to wipe your face off before starting!
There are many different oil combinations you can use so I would recommend looking into what is suggested for your skin type before trying. Most users will recommend using a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or sunflower mixed with a lesser amount of oils like castor, hazelnut, or sweet almond.
I’ve had tremendous success with the most popular combo: olive and castor.
Castor oil is naturally astringent so it helps pull impurities from the skin, making it ideal for oil and combination skins. Below is a basic guideline for this blend, but adjust according to your skin’s reaction.
· Oil Skin: ⅓ Castor & ⅔ Olive
· Combination Skin: ¼ Castor & ¾ Olive
· Dry Skin: Olive Only
1. Once your blend is made (I store mine in a small sealed glass bottle), pour about ½ tsp into your hand and gently massage into your face for 1-2 minutes.
2. Wet a clean washcloth with hot water, wring it out, and place over face for 1-2 minutes. This creates steam against the skin that will open your pores, draw out impurities, and remove the oil. Use the corners of the washcloth to remove any remaining oil (this oil will be loaded with bacteria, makeup, etc. so make sure you are thorough but gentle).
I oil cleanse each evening and just wipe my face with a warm washcloth in the mornings. For some, it can take a while for the skin to adjust to this method so initial breakouts are common. Try not to use other cleansers once you begin oil cleansing so your skin can really adjust and start reaping the full benefits!
SIDE NOTE! I highly recommend investing in some antibacterial microfiber face cloths. The fibers are so tiny and tightly woven (unlike cotton cloths) that they can trap up to 99% of bacteria from a surface. They will not leave any impurities or residue behind. This cloth was a game changer for me. The first time I tried oil cleansing using a two year old raggedy washcloth, I had a bad breakout on my forehead the next morning. I could feel a lot of leftover oil on my face so I quickly made the switch to microfiber and haven’t had that issue since!
Step 2: Moisturize: Many OCM users like to moisturize with a dab of oil after cleansing. I however, prefer the light and silky texture of 100% organic aloe vera. You mean aloe is not just for treating sunburns?! Correct. It helps to replenish moisture, treat acne symptoms, and even fight signs of aging. Best of all, it’s non-greasy. Perfect for those with an oily complexion! Aloe contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce skin inflammation and redness, and also antioxidants that help improve the natural firmness of your skin. To use:
1. Apply a few dabs of aloe vera to hands and massage into face for 5 to 10 seconds. Let air dry.
I apply once in the evening after cleansing and once in the morning after I wipe my face with a microfiber cloth.
Pretty simple, right?!
I’ve been using this cleansing and moisturizing method for about 6 weeks now and I just love it! Since I started I’ve had fewer breakouts, a reduction in blackheads on my nose, less redness in my cheeks, and overall more radiant skin. If you’re frustrated with your skincare products and sick and tired of stubborn skin, give it a try!
P.S. I’ve also made the transition to an all natural exfoliant, toner, and eye makeup remover. Stay tuned if you’re interested in hearing more! :)
Well Hello! My name is Renee and I’m a MA (where my roots are), CA (where I left my heart), PA (where I currently reside) girl. I grew up eating steak and fast food half of the week with dad and healthy home cooked meals the other half with mom. While I’ve embraced more of the second ‘half of the week’ lifestyle, that sense of balance has always stuck with me. I truly believe that healthy has a different meaning for everyone, and that we should seek to discover what it means for our own selves in order to live a better life! After earning a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics I joined the other million college grads who have no idea what to do with their degree. My plan was to move home and get into the restaurant biz with dad buttttt then I met my sweetheart and that went right out the window. I ended up in the fitness, restaurant, and retail industries but none of it felt quite right. So where am I now? I recently discovered health and wellness coaching, and immediately knew it was the perfect fit for me. I’m currently pursuing my certification through ACE while working for an AMAZING health coach in Philly (shout out to Jess Baumgardner!). I hope to spread my wings soon and share my love and knowledge for healthy living with ya’ll within the next few months. My desire? To educate, encourage, and empower those who are set back by their unhealthy habits. Whether it be nutrition, fitness, or lifestyle related, my goal is to help them transform those habits into positive long lasting change so they can define what healthy means for their life! Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about me. Feel free to connect now or in the future with any questions or comments! :) email: Rnprince1@gmail.com