Natural skin care is gaining momentum as people are becoming more aware of the harms of harsh, synthetic chemicals and the benefits of naturally found ingredients in skincare products.
This article explains how to incorporate the best natural skin care routine and recommends natural skincare products to use for each step.
The Best Natural Skincare Routine
The production of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and other components that maintain the skin’s resilience and glow starts to decline in our 20s. That’s when a daily routine becomes crucial to protect the skin from environmental aggressors and slow down skin aging.
Natural (holistic) skincare products differ from conventional ones as they contain naturally occurring and gently processed ingredients, including plant oils and butters, essential oils, and powders. These products avoid parabens, fragrances, dyes, and other irritating synthetic ingredients.
Skin experts recommend similar skincare routine steps for most people, with some variations depending on their skin type and concerns. Incorporate the following steps into your skin care regimen and try our product recommendations to improve your complexion.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is the first step of the morning and night skincare routine. It ensures the skin is free of previously applied products, excess oil, sweat, dirt, and other impurities. It prepares the skin to absorb the beneficial ingredients from the cosmetic products that follow.
The advantage of natural over conventional cleansers is that they don’t contain sulfates and detergents that often draw too much moisture out of the skin. Natural cleansers are formulated to remove excess oil while hydrating the skin.
Osmosis MD Deep Clean Detox Cleanser is a suitable cleanser for all skin types, providing gentle but thorough cleansing thanks to citrus essential oils and coconut.
Apply one pump onto damp skin in the morning and evening, gently massage, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Note: Learn about the differences between a cleanser and a toner and whether you need to incorporate either or both into your routine.
2. Exfoliate (Occasional Use)
Cleansers remove excess sebum and impurities from the skin, but our skin also builds up a layer of dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause acne. Occasional exfoliation helps dissolve dead cells, deeply cleanse the skin, and reveal a softer, smoother complexion.
Exfoliating products either have chemical or physical exfoliating ingredients. Physical exfoliants contain sugars, salts, coffee, or crystals that mechanically rub away dead cells and other impurities. They can be harsh on the skin, so chemical exfoliants are better suited for sensitive skin.
Note: Check out what are the best products for sensitive skin.
Chemical exfoliants typically include alpha-hydroxy (e.g., lactic, glycolic), beta-hydroxy (e.g., salicylic) acids or fruit enzymes (papaya, pumpkin). AHAs, BHAs and fruit enzymes can gently dissolve dead skin cells, leaving the skin smoother, brighter, and firmer. The percentage of the active ingredient and type of chemical exfoliant you should use depends on your skin type and should be recommended by your experienced provider.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, we love using plant enzyme masks such as Osmosis MD Polish Cranberry Enzyme Mask to achieve a gentle exfoliation without compromising the skin natural lipid barrier.
Apply it up to three times a week on a clean face and leave it on for 5-15 minutes.
Note: Learn more about chemical peels, a cosmetic treatment that uses exfoliating agents to resurface brighter, smoother skin.
3. Use a Face Mask (Occasional Use)
Face masks are designed to treat a specific skin concern, such as dehydration, acne, or excess sebum. They are infused with active ingredients that penetrate the skin to deliver quick results.
Vibrant Skin Bar’s To Be Clear is a medical-grade, anti-inflammatory mask for acne-prone skin, delivering potent ingredients that calm and hydrate the skin, reducing redness.
Use it 1-3 times a week on clean skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes, and remove gently.
4. Apply a Serum
Serums contain high concentrations of active ingredients (e.g., vitamin A, C, and E) that access deeper skin layers, helping to resolve specific skin concerns. Serums with high-quality botanicals reduce the chance of irritating the skin.
Osmosis MD Replenish Antioxidant Infusion Serum is rich with potent antioxidants, such as vitamin E, green tea, and gingko biloba, minimizing UV damage and activating the production of collagen to protect and rejuvenate the skin.
Apply 1-2 pumps once or twice a day after thoroughly cleansing the skin.
Note: Learn which skincare products to use to rejuvenate the skin.
5. Tone (Optional)
Toners are often neglected, but very useful skincare products, especially for combination or oily skin. They balance sebum production, minimize pores, and even skin tone.
Osmosis MD Infuse Nutrient Activating Mist is a natural face toner in the form of a hydrating mist. It contains fulvic and humic acids, helping to improve moisture levels and suppleness.
Use it before or after serum application. Spritz 3-5 times on your face and massage gently.
Note: Find out what causes oily skin, and what oily skin treatments are there.
6. Use a Facial Oil (Optional)
Natural facial oils are rich with anti-inflammatory, nourishing ingredients, providing deep hydration, and helping to restore the skin’s protective barrier.
Osmosis MD Nourish Avocado Facial Oil contains cold-pressed, organic avocado oil, delivering nutrients that protect from water loss and harmful external factors.
Use it after a serum and before or instead of a moisturizer once or twice daily. Shake the bottle, apply a small amount, and massage gently.
Note: Find out the 10 benefits of avocado oil for skin.
7. Moisturize
Moisturizers are one of the three pillars of a skin care regimen, along with cleansers and sunscreens. All skin types, even oily skin, need hydration because environmental factors and lifestyle habits weaken the skin’s natural barrier, stripping it of lipids that maintain its function.
As the skin’s protective barrier dries out, daily moisturizer use helps retain water on the skin’s surface, improving a range of conditions – from elasticity and firmness, to wrinkles and acne.
Osmosis MD Quench is a lightweight, but potent formula with emollients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and squalene, helping to seal in moisture, prevent water loss, and strengthen the protective barrier.
Apply a small amount on damp skin in the morning and evening.
Note: Discover the best moisturizers for aging skin.
8. Apply an Eye Cream
Eye creams are specifically designed for thin, sensitive skin around the eyes. They usually contain more oil and active ingredients than a face cream to address aging signs in this area.
Instant Effect Gel EYE by skinbetter contains glycerin, coffee, and hyaluronic acid, targeting multiple under-eye area concerns, such as dehydrated skin, under-eye bags, and wrinkles. It includes a stainless-steel rollerball applicator to massage the skin around the eyes.
Apply up to one pump under the eyes in the morning and evening. Use the stainless-steel rollerball applicator that comes with the cream to massage the under-eye area in circular motions.
9. Use Sunscreen
Skin experts agree sunscreen is the most important step of a morning skin care routine, advising its use all year round. Sunscreen protects the skin from UV damage, which leads to cellular damage, premature skin aging, and potentially skin cancer.
Natural sunscreens contain physical (mineral) sun blockers such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, providing more protection than conventional sunscreens and reducing irritation in people with sensitive skin.
Elta MD UV Daily SPF 40 contains 9% zinc oxide, protecting the skin from UVA and UVB radiation. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and reduces sun-induced wrinkles.
Apply on the face and neck in the morning or 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours.
Note: This article explains how to choose a sunscreen and recommends several quality products.
When Can You See the Results?
The timeline for seeing results from natural skincare products can very depending on various factors, from the specific product and how often it is used, to the individual’s skin type and skin concern. Natural skincare products are more gentle than conventional products, so it can take longer to achieve significant results.
Some people see an improvement in their complexion within a few weeks, while others may need to use the products for several months before noticing a difference.
Conclusion
Natural skin care appeals to many people because of the focus on ingredients that are safer for the skin. The effects of natural skincare products vary from person to person, depending on several factors, but they typically provide impressive results if properly used. Be patient and consistent with your natural skin care routine to achieve a healthy, glowing skin.
