A Simple, Easy Skin Care Routine

The Basics Needed For A Good Skin Care Routine. There are so many products out there; masks, eye creams, serums, toners…. What does my skin really need?

Cleanser

This is the most important part of a good skin care routine. Not only is it beneficial for removing makeup, dirt and debris, but it sets your skin up for the rest of your routine. Cleansing must be performed both A.M. and P.M.

What kind?

Cleansing gels are best suited for acne prone, oily to normal skins. Make sure it does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, as these are drying agents that will strip and irritate the skin. Or, as a general rule, the lower the lather, the less drying, the higher the lather, the more drying it will be. A cleansing gel should always have a low lather. Try our Superfood Cleansing Gel

Cleansing lotions are best suited for normal to dry, sensitive skins. These have a creamy consistency that melt and dissolve makeup off the skin and leave the skin feeling moist and balanced. Avoid cleansing lotions that contain Mineral Oil, as these will leave a greasy film on the skin that may clog the pores. Try our Native Cleansing Milk

Toner/Floral Water

Toners are extremely misunderstood and therefore, often very unused as a part of a skin care regimen.

Toners/Floral Waters offer the following benefits:

• They plump up and hydrate the skin. After cleansing, wipe or spray toner/floral water over the skin and leave it damp on the skin, (don’t let it dry) and apply your moisturiser straight away, this will help to seal in all of they hydrating properties of the toner or floral water.
• They remove drying chlorines and minerals found in tap water. Many chemicals are put into today’s tap water to destroy harmful bacteria. But they can be very drying to the skin so a toner will remove that.
• They can help enhance your skin. Depending on the ingredients used in the toner, they can help calm, control oil, stimulate blood circulation, destroy acne-causing bacteria, provide anti-oxidant benefits and so much more.

What kind?

To benefit the skin, toners must be ALCOHOL-FREE. Why? Simply put, if they are alcohol-based they dry out the skin and create dead skin cell buildup. With all of the exfoliating treatments out on the market, a drying, alcohol-based toner will only reverse the great results that exfoliation can offer.  Try our Organic Rosewater

Sunscreen

The research shows that the #1 cause of wrinkles and skin ageing is sun exposure. And 78% of sun exposure in a lifetime comes from incidental exposure-all the times that you don’t think you’re getting sun damage, but you are. Driving in a car, walking to the mailbox, being in your home near windows! So, wearing a sunscreen 365 days a year, rain or shine, inside and out is your best defence against ageing of the skin.

What kind?

We recommend La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 SPF Melt in Sunscreen Milk.  It scored 100 with sky-high ratings for broad spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection.

Moisturisers

Moisturisers are a combination of oil and water. They’ll contain some sort of wax, emulsifier or both to bind them and create stability. Because of this, the molecular structure is larger, so they only penetrate the upper layers of the skin, which seals and locks in moisture and nutrients.

In winter months, it’s best to incorporate extra hydration, as the skin is exposed to extremes in temperature and has to constantly adapt from cold to warm environments.

What kind?

For Mature/Dry skin types I would recommend a product high in actives such as Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Co-Enzyme Q10.

• Hyaluronic Acid which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, and is a  humectant that attracts water, hydrating the skin without making it oily.  Hyaluronic Acid can replenish the moisture that ageing skin is lacking and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  The great thing about Hyaluronic Acid is that can be used on all skin types, even sensitive, acne and rosacea prone skin types.
• Peptides help make skin more firm: By signalling your cells to make collagen, peptides help your skin become more firm. Smoothes out complexion: With upped collagen production comes clearer, more even skin, too. Repairs damaged skin: Carrier peptides work to heal your skin from the inside out.
• Co-Enzyme Q10 works to help your cells remove what’s irritating cells and your skin. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines: This ingredient helps your body produce collagen and elastin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Oilier skins should look for something labeled “oil-free” which usually means it does not contain Mineral Oil or Petrolatum.  I would recommend a gel based moisturiser that contains Hyaluronic Acid as even oily skin needs hydration.

How to apply:

After cleansing, applying your Serum, spritzing with Rose Water, the final layer is the moisturiser. Gently glide the product across your forehead, cheeks, chin, and give yourself a massage, pressing it into your skin. Bring the product down onto your neck, and the area of skin below your collarbone, even down to your chest.  It’s easy to get lazy about washing your makeup off at night, or skipping moisturiser thinking that you are “letting your skin breathe.” To keep skin in top condition it is essential that after cleansing and toning, you follow with a non-sunscreen moisturiser for properly encouraging healing and skin repair.

Facial Exfoliant

This is one extra product that can be added into your basic routine. A facial scrub, something that has tiny granules in it, can be massaged over the skin in tiny circles and it helps to remove dead, dry skin cells. Using a product like this twice a week can help untrap clogged pores to lesson break outs, fade post-breakout red marks, fade brown spots and smooth and soften dry skin. To save some time, use this product in place of your morning cleanser. It’s a must for every skin condition!

What kind?

Avoid scrubs with Apricot kernels or shell powders which are naturally made particles that can scratch and irritate the skin causing bacteria too spread and can cause the skin to get irritated.  I recommend our Exfoliating Crystals for Oilier skin types or our Rosehip Exfoliating Mask for drier/dehydrated skin types.

The Bottom Line

A good skin care routine doesn’t need to be very complicated and take a long time to perform. Cleanser, toner and moisturiser both morning and evening will get your skin healthy and beautiful.

WHAT WE AVOID

Mineral Oil & Petrolatum (pore-clogging)

SD Alcohol 40 and Denatured Alcohol (the “bad” alcohols commonly found in toners that are extremely drying)

Sodium or Ammonium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate (drying and irritating to the barrier of the skin)

Isopropyl Myristate & Isopropyl Palmitate (may cause blackheads)

Parabens (avoided in most of our skin care products. If it’s paraben-free, it will be indicated in the product description)

Synthetic dyes (can be a skin irritant)

Synthetic fragrances (the #1 cause of allergic reactions to products.

Avoid products containing the word “fragrance” or “parfum” on the ingredient listing)

Phthalates (commonly used in synthetic fragrances and may disrupt hormones)

Known sensitisers (ingredients that can cause irritation)

Apricot kernels/shell powders (naturally made particles found in facial scrubs that can scratch and irritate the skin causing bacteria to spread)

Plastic exfoliating beads (commonly used in facial scrubs and are showing to affect marine life in by slipping through water treatments)

WHAT WE USE

Lightweight, non-pore clogging formulas

Cold-pressed, herbal plant extracts & essential oils

High concentration of active ingredients at effective levels

Pure, cold processed, plant based carrier oils

Vegan & Cruelty-free ingredients (Products tested on humans, not animals)

Simple packaging (You pay for what’s inside the bottle, not unnecessary boxes)