In a world of tight schedules, harmful pollution, chemically-loaded products, high anxiety, sleepless nights, and environmental toxin overload, it’s impossible for our skin not to feel and show the effects of it all! Thankfully, with a little commitment, you can maintain your skin’s natural beauty in the comfort of your own home! Keep reading to get some tips and simple at-home methods to reduce stress, maintain radiant skin, and improve the overall quality of your skin!
I linked some of my natural skincare products in this post, but I also put a few DIY skincare recipes at the end. Either way, please use something natural without any added harmful ingredients.
Cleansing Your Skin
The first step in caring for your skin is to properly cleanse it! Perspiration, grease, dust, stale make-up, dirt, and bacteria all collect on your skin and must be completely removed. There are many different skin types; oily, dry, sensitive, and acne prone. Different cleansers do better with each individual type based on the pH and other varying factors. Cleansing helps clean the skin and pores and allows the skin to absorb the products you will apply next. If you wear a good amount of makeup, you may want to first use a makeup remover to get the majority of the makeup off your face prior to cleansing. My Sweet Dreams Cleansing oil is great for this, or you could try some coconut oil or avocado oil to take off your makeup.
To properly cleanse, begin by wetting the face with lukewarm water. Apply the cleanser that is best for your skin type on your face and neck and gently massage in a circular, upward motion for at least two to five minutes (duration also depends on the instructions provided with the cleanser you are using). Remove by using a damp washcloth and warm water to ensure everything is removed from the face.
Toning Your Skin
Next, tone your skin using a skin freshener, such as a mist or spritz, or a toner that has more astringent and antibacterial properties. Toning is important because it helps remove any remaining greasiness on your skin after the cleansing process is complete. It helps to clean pores and maintain the skin’s natural pH, and if you intend to use makeup, it leaves a smooth clean texture which will hold foundation and powder much longer.
Toners are hydrating and refreshing, they are meant to invigorate and provide moisture to the skin. Depending on the ingredients used, toners and spritzers can also bring other benefits such as being soothing, helping to balance sebum production, balancing pH, reducing inflammation, etc.
Nourishing Your Skin
Nourishing your skin is also an essential part of any beauty routine. Dirt, dust, hot and cold weather, cosmetics, and even sunlight, all tend to dry out the skin, robbing it of moisture and oil. Consequently, making sure to cleanse your face each night before bed is essential to healthy skin. Skin “foods” or moisturizers can replenish nourishment to the skin, reviving its natural healthiness. Again, different moisturizers work well for different skin types. If your skin is more on the oily side, avoid moisturizers that contain lots of heavy oils and opt for one that contains glycerin instead. With dry skin, applying a moisturizer right after washing your face is beneficial to prevent drying and to get the moisturizer locked in right away. If you have neutral skin, you can usually get away with using a moisturizer that contains light oils and glycerin. Just make sure to look for a product for neutral skin types.
Facials
A facial is the quickest way of cleansing, reviving, and brightening faded skin, leaving the skin light, soft and glowing. It also helps to do a thorough job of relaxing frazzled nerves so that you emerge not only looking well but also feeling fresher and more relaxed! A facial once or twice each month will ensure rejuvenated and fresh skin for a long time to come!
If it is in your budget to seek out a spa or professional for your facial, find someone who uses natural products and pays attention to your skin type. However, if you do not have the time or cannot afford the luxury of regular salon treatments, you can give yourself a facial at home! Choose a time when you can be undisturbed and quiet, and get everything ready before you start so that you can relax and really enjoy it!
Follow the routine below for a quick, at-home facial:
- Tie your hair away from your face and neck, using a headband to pull any remaining hair away from your forehead.
- Begin by removing your makeup either using a cleansing oil, coconut oil or another method to remove all residue from the face. Cleanse your face and neck with a good cleansing lotion or cleansing gel and thoroughly remove.
- The next step is a gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria allowing the skin to best absorb the other products.
- Prepare a face mask suited to your skin type. On a thoroughly cleansed and exfoliated face, spread a thick layer avoiding the mouth area and creating large circles around the eyes. Then, lie on your back and keep the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes or until it begins to dry.
- When the mask is starting to dry, wash your face and neck with lukewarm water, keeping your eyes closed. Dry your skin and apply your favourite toner that is best for your skin type.
- Lastly, now that the skin is thoroughly cleansed, exfoliated, and the pores are clean, it is time to apply a hydrating skin serum, nourishing facial oil and moisturizer to the face. Then spend some time massaging it into the skin, using upward, circular motions.
Massaging your Skin
Massaging your face is another essential practice for healthy skin and can also be really relaxing! While being an effective way to counter wrinkles, massaging is a slow process and its results are apparent only if it is practised regularly for an extended period of time. That said, there is no doubt that massage is highly beneficial for tightening facial tissues, increasing blood flow, stimulating nerves and boosting collagen production.
Massage is most effective if the skin is thoroughly cleansed first. Do not forget to remove all traces of makeup, otherwise, particles of dirt will end up blocking the skin’s pores. Apply a facial oil best for your skin, or use a good moisturizer.
Press it onto the skin with light but firm fingers, putting a little pressure while applying. Make sure to hold the skin firmly and apply even pressure. The massage should start from the neck and move upwards ending at the forehead or temples. Veins and tissues get an increased flow of oxygen/blood supply through this process. The skin around the eyes is delicate so it is advisable to apply an eye cream or eye serum on this area. Take some time now to give your skin some undivided attention and love.
The Art of Massaging
- Slow Massage – This is the most common method of massage and the most relaxing. The secret is to massage slowly while patting the skin. Using the fleshy part of your fingertips, press the skin lightly with a slow, stroking motion. The process starts at the base of the neck at a slow speed. Stroking gives rest to the nerves and brings nutrients to the skin.
- Fast Massage – The front half of both palms are used to massage at speed, taking care to make a circular motion upwards.
- Pressure Massage – This is a method in which slow, deep pressure is applied by the fingertips and is very effective for removing pouches beneath the eyes.
- Stroking Massage – Cheeks are stroked with the tips of fingers and strokes are applied from the nose to the temples on both sides
- Pinching Massage – Effective for a sagging chin or wrinkles on the jawline, the skin is held, as in pinchers, between the thumb and fingers and gently massaged.
- Friction Massage – This massage requires pressure on the skin while it is being moved over the underlying bone and muscle structures. Fingers or palms are usually best for this type of massage. Harder movements are usually used on the scalp while light movements are used on the face and neck.
- Piano Playing Movements – This exercise develops facial muscles and makes them firm. It should be done with the fingers on the entire face, especially the cheek area.
Making your own Skin Products:
- Simple Face Cleanser
Take a tablespoon of liquid organic raw honey, and gently massage it into your skin with your fingertips for 3-5 minutes. Gently tap your skin, and then rinse with warm water.
- Tea Toner
Make a cup of steeped green, white or black tea. Take out 1-2 tablespoons, let cool and either pat it onto your face or put it in a spray bottle and spray it onto your face. Drink the remaining tea. ☺
- DIY Face Scrub
In a blender, place 1/2 cup of oatmeal, and ground it into flour (or use store-bought oat flour). In a small bowl add a Tbsp or so of the oat flour and mix in a plant oil that is good for your skin. (Ex: jojoba oil for oily or acne-prone skin, almond or avocado oil for dry skin.) Gently apply to damp skin using circular motions for 2-3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
- Massage Oil
Add 1/4 cup of your favourite carrier oil to a bottle or container (almond oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil are all great options). Next, choose your favourite essential oil or combination of oils and add 5-10 drops total to the carrier oil. Mix well and use to massage into damp skin after a bath or shower.
- Face Mask
In a small bowl mix 1 Tbsp of ground oat flour, 2 tsp of plain yoghurt, and 1 tsp of brewed and cooled green tea. Apply evenly to your face, leave on for 10-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Be sure not to use any ingredients that you are allergic to.
So there you have it! By following these simple tips, and being consistent with your routines, you can easily start having brighter, healthier, and more rejuvenated-looking skin in no time at all!
Let me know if you have any questions.
To Your Health and Beauty,
