Simplify your skincare routine using 3 products
Surprisingly, more people than not don’t have an actual skincare routine and this can go one of two ways, either they are using nothing, or they are using too much of everything. The good news is that people are becoming more mindful about what truly matters to them as a whole. We're streamlining and simplifying our lives in general and thankfully we are now seeing this trend pop up in the skincare industry as we move away from product filled #shelfies (less waste, for the win!) and get savvier about simplifying our skincare routines.
According to Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a dermatologist in West Islip, New York, using a lot of different products and at-home devices, with many different ingredients can result in making your skin over sensitised. Throwing too much at your skin are changing your routines frequently is not the right way to create a simple skincare routine that you can stick to. You will spend far too much time fixing your skin from being compromised than you will supporting it.
Here at Green and Bare (if the name doesn’t give it away) we are a keep-it-simple and evidence-based-only kind of brand and believe that an easy skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated or overwhelming.
Our lives can often get so busy it’s common that people will ditch maintaining a skincare routine because it feels too complicated, our skin therefore becomes neglected and does not get the attention it deserves.
There’s beauty in simplicity, especially when creating a simple skincare routine
Our Green and Bare foundations are based on nature providing us with all we need to take care of our skin, we remove unnecessary additives, we eliminate synthetic disruptors. We use pure, raw and simplified ingredients that have all the nourishment our skin needs to maintain an easy skincare routine.
With so many brands online and filtering through our socials, it can be hard to resist a sale or the next big skincare miracle. The notion has been ‘more is more’ for many years now, more products, more steps, more ingredients.
But when a product contains both water and oil (so think creams and lotions) they require additional ingredients like fatty acids, fatty alcohols and preservatives so that they feel good, smell good and look good. All these contain unnecessary ingredients that actually do nothing for the skin because of the levels used, they are really only there to create the cream itself.
When you start to add them all up, it can be shocking to learn just how many preservatives, fillers and binders we’re layering onto our skin each and every day! When you choose fewer, more natural products you can avoid all the unnecessary additives and reduce the amount of ingredients that your skin might react to.
Here’s how you can simplify your skin care routine using three products:
Plant Oils to cleanse, nourish and protect against water loss
Plant oils such as Apricot Kernel, Jojoba and Rosehip all have beneficial nutrients such as phytosterols, vitamins, carotenoids and squalane. When oils are applied topically they fill up small spaces between the epidermal cells, so your skin looks and feels smoother, healthier, and softer. They also protect by preventing moisture loss which as we get older because a big issue in preserving the elasticity of our skin, plus they still allow our skin to breathe naturally so they won’t block your pores.
HOW TO USE PLANT OILS IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Cleansing Oil - First dampen your skin with water or a floral water. Using a pea-sized amount of oil in your palm, rub your hands together and then massage into your face, neck, and décolletage. Wipe off with a warm muslin cloth. Some people like to follow this step with a traditional cleanser to remove any further oil, but we like the soft feeling of the oil that remains.
Hair Mask - Warm up some Jojoba Oil and generously apply it to your scalp starting at the roots and working your way to the ends. Wrap your hair in a towel for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better) then shampoo and condition. For a mini mask, add a few drops into your conditioner with every wash.
Body Moisturising - Apply Apricot or Jojoba Oil onto your body after a shower or bath while you are still damp, this will help to trap in moisture and will leave your skin feeling supple and smooth.
Face Mask Booster: Mix Rosehip Oil, Apricot Oil or Jojoba Oil (plus a splash of water if you like) into a dry clay mask for an extra smooth, buttery face mask.
Topical Lubricant – Use Jojoba Oil or Apricot Oil as a topical lubricant when things are getting spicy in the bedroom, or use topically if you are going through menopause and your lady parts are becoming more dry.
Hydrate and Tone with Floral Waters
Floral waters, also called floral hydrosols are subtle, herbaceous, and fresh. They are also incredibly hydrating making them an essential part of our everyday skincare routine. They are especially good if you have dry/combination skin that needs constant hydration. Floral Waters are perfect for adding moisture back into the skin which oils aren’t able to do.
HOW TO USE FLORAL WATERS IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
To Control Oil: Mist over a clean face morning and night to control excess sebum.
To Tone: Use as a non-irritating, non-drying toner to maintain the skin’s pH balance.
Face Mask Booster: Mix Rose, Lavender or Orange floral water into your dry clay mask instead of water. Not only does it bring a sensual aromatic component to your mask, but it will also soothe and tone your skin.
As a Spritzer: Mist directly on your skin after a shower to rehydrate skin or use throughout the day if you are in an office or on a plane where air-conditioning and heaters will dry out your skin.
Exfoliate and detox with concentrated clay masks
Clay, when combined with floral waters and/or oils, naturally draw out toxins and bind to impurities as it dries, as well as simultaneously nourishing the skin with many beneficial minerals. Clays are a wonderful natural exfoliator and they gently remove dead skin cells and increase micro-circulation.
HOW TO USE CLAY IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Face Mask - Face masks are incredibly simple to use, and they are a luxurious self care exercise. They also come in different mineral compositions that can be tailored depending on your skin type.
Body Mask - In a glass bowl, mix together 50:50 water and clay until you achieve a nice paste consistency, apply to the areas on your body you want to detox and exfoliate, leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off in the shower.
Foot Scrub - In a glass bowl, mix together 50:50 water and clay until you achieve a nice paste consistency, apply all over your feet and between your toes. Leave for 5-10 minutes then use an exfoliating glove or puff to scrub away while showering.
Pre-Makeup Primer - Apply a clay mask 30 minutes before applying your makeup, the mask will detox your skin and increase circulation smoothing out the surface ready to apply your makeup for a night out.
When skin care products become over-complicated it can cause adverse side effects on your skin which are hard to identify and eliminate because let’s face it, some ingredients lists are very long. Figuring out what your skin is reacting to can be really tedious and difficult.
By simplifying your skincare routine you gain back control and transparency in what you are using. Less is more when it comes to natural skincare, natural ingredients are so full of goodness they don’t need a party of unnecessary ingredients to help them work.
How are you going to try and simplify your skin care routine?