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When I Began to Take Skincare Seriously

Until my early twenties, I never invested in quality moisturizer or cleanser for my face and body. Then at my first full-time professional job after college, a work colleague and friend of mine suggested I start investing in my facial care right then in order to age more gracefully. 

I appreciated my friend’s advice and I followed it. I tried many skincare brands and routines over several years varying in price and multiple time consuming steps. Some of the skincare sets I tried had so many daily steps, were unpleasantly scented, and sometimes would irritate my eyes. Additionally, I spent a lot of time researching products without toxic ingredients.

Eventually I began to formulate my own skincare products with an attempt to keep my routine simple. It’s now simple enough that even my significant other follows my skincare routine, too. It might seem long if you do a quick scroll through, but it really doesn’t take that much time once you’re used to it. 

Some of the products mentioned below are formulated by New Earth Body, while others are some of my favorite brands that also promote naturally healthy skin. Everyone has to figure out which skincare routine and products work best for their preferences and budget. I encourage everyone to question the ingredients, quality and effectiveness of the products they choose to spend their time, money and skin on. Below is what works for my significant other and myself, and I hope it helps you on your quest for finding a skincare routine that works for you!

Daily Morning Skincare Routine

Step 1: Facial Cleanse

Always wash your face when you wake up and before you go to bed. I alternate between these two facial cleansing options: 

• If my face is feeling dry, I cleanse with the 3-in-1 Face and Body oil blend. I start by taking a cotton round, wetting it with warm water, and applying the 3-in-1 oil blend onto the wet cotton round. It’s about 4 pumps of oil from the 2oz treatment pump, or about half of one pump from the larger 4oz lotion pump.
  
  
• If my face is feeling oily, I cleanse with this brand of non-alcoholic unscented witch hazel facial toner with aloe. Always choose a non-alcoholic brand, otherwise the alcohol will dry out your skin. You may apply the witch hazel directly to the cotton round without water.

Whether you choose the oil blend or witch hazel, gently wipe your face in a circular and upward motion with the cotton round. I have been using this particular organic cotton round.

Step 2: Facial Moisturizer (Daytime)

After cleansing your face, apply a moisturizer.

• If you’re going to be home and inside, you again may use the 3-in-1 Face and Body oil blend as a daytime facial moisturizer. I use the same amount to moisturize as I do to cleanse; 4 pumps of oil from the 2oz treatment pump, or about half of one pump from the larger 4oz lotion pump.

• If you’re going to be outside during the day, always wear a facial moisturizer with SPF. Out of the brands I’ve tried, my favorite so far that I’ve now been using for the past four years or so is this tinted facial sunscreen with SPF 20 from a Texas-based company. 

Step 3: Moisturize Hands and Cuticles

Our hands endure a lot between multiple washings per day, cleaning dishes and around the home, and whatever else may come our way. At the beginning and end of each day and sometimes in between, I massage in the Hands & Nails oil.

Now go enjoy your day!

Nightly Skincare Routine

Phew! What a long day. Time for a little self-care in your bedtime routine. It’s similar to the morning routine with one added step (depending on your shower time preference). 

Step 1: Moisturize Your Whole Body

I prefer to shower at night before bed. Whenever you prefer to shower, follow up with a hydrating body oil. It’s best to apply it immediately after a shower when your skin is still wet. I prefer to apply just enough oil where the skin absorbs it, but you don’t feel slippery from excess oil. My partner, on the other hand, likes to apply a lot more to the point he glistens like an athlete at the Olympics opening ceremony - you really don’t need that much. 

Our favorite hydrating body oil is the Lavender, Neroli and Frankincense. We offer four other alternatives depending on your aromatic preferences and skin sensitivities. If you have to manage the skin challenges of eczema or psoriasis, then I recommend our Lavender and Chamomile

Step 2: Repeat Steps 1 - 3 from Morning Routine

1. Facial cleanse: Follow instructions from the morning routine above.
2. Moisture Face: Here’s where I use the Nightly Facial oil. Formulated with 14 effective carrier and essential oils with a refreshing floral aroma that makes me feel like I’m at a luxury spa.
3. Moisture Hands & Nails. Gently massage into hands and cuticles. 

Be mindful not to apply too much oil; it could come off on your bed sheets and clothing. I recommend you apply only what will absorb quickly into your skin. Let your skin breathe and dry for a little bit before putting on your pajamas and getting into bed. I usually give it 10 to 15 minutes. I also gave up on expensive bed sheets; not necessarily due to my oil usage, but also after having so many sheet sets damaged by washing machines. Apologies, I digressed. 

Weekly Skincare Routine

In addition to my daily routine, I also do the following throughout the week, but NOT daily. 

Exfoliate

To maintain baby smooth skin, improve circulation, and enable your skin to breathe - you do not want to skip consistent exfoliation of the face and body.

Body Exfoliation

I have tried dry brushing, loofahs and other exfoliating cloths, but what I enjoy the most is a brown sugar body polish. Not only does it remove dead skin cells, it also leaves your skin soft and hydrated. The only thing I don’t like about this body polish is that my significant other tried it and loved it - and now my jar gets emptied faster.

Recommended frequency = 1-3 times per week depending on skin sensitivity.

CAUTION!

• I do not recommend sugar or salt scrubs for those with skin challenges such as eczema or psoriasis. It could cause inflammation. Sometimes those with skin challenges can use oatmeal-based body polishes. Check with your dermatologist or trusted professional first.
• Whichever method of exfoliation you use, sugar body polish or another, be gentle in the pressure you apply to your skin. You do not need to scrub vigorously; you might damage your skin.
• My significant other opts to use the brown sugar body polish to also exfoliate his face, but I do not recommend this especially for those with sensitive skin. Keep reading to find out how I exfoliate my face.

Facial Exfoliation

There are two methods I like to alternate between in order to exfoliate the face. I’m not saying they are the best methods, but they’re the ones I prefer the most out of the options that I’ve tried. If I get lazy and try to skip face or body exfoliation, I definitely notice my skin starts to feel bumpy and is dull. 

1. Sea Moss Exfoliator: I find it to be gentle and affordable. I’ve never had a bad reaction to it. It doesn’t irritate my skin. And I personally like the company that makes it. An added bonus is that it doesn’t count as a liquid in my carry-on bag when I travel. This is by far my favorite of the two options listed here for the face.
   
   
2. Facial Konjac Sponge: I also find the sponge to be gentle and affordable. I personally am just not a fan of adding another task to my to-do list to clean the sponge. Plus it’s not as convenient to travel with; you have to think about drying it out before you re-pack it and keeping it clean while traveling. 

Topical Skincare Products I Choose Not to Use

Facial serums and masks are popular and vary greatly in price. You may or may not find them effective for yourself. From my own experience, I find them to be an unnecessary expense of time and money - but don’t forget I also lean towards a semi-minimalist routine. 

Vitamin C serum? Yes, vitamin C is essential for skin health and overall bodily health. Vitamin C serums boost the antioxidant power and that it may help reduce wrinkles and discoloration; ranging usually from 15% - 20% of vitamin C in the serum. I have certainly received requests to formulate one, but I can’t justify the necessity for one. I maintain my claim that I only make products I’d use myself. My significant other and I both get compliments on our skin and neither of us use serums nor masks. Instead we prioritize nutrition with the whole foods and supplements we take. 

Instead of a vitamin C serum, you could ingest one of these two vitamin C powders daily in a glass of water or juice. Every morning I drink a warm glass of water, not boiling hot, with two to three scoops of buffered sodium ascorbate vitamin C powder. It’s a subtle salty taste which I find to be more palpable than the more sour tasting ascorbic acid vitamin C powder. If you don’t mind sour flavors, this vitamin C powder from algae in Scotland is also a great option.

Final thoughts

Explore skincare products that you feel comfortable with the ingredient list and are within your budget. There are so many options out there. The right ones are waiting for you, and they don’t all have to be from the same brand - you can mix and match like I do. Make your skincare routine your personal quiet time of self-care each day. 

Your skin is your largest organ - be kind to it. 

Click infographic below for a printable PDF of my minimalistic skincare routine.