I finally did it! I am giving you’ll the skin care routine that you’ve been asking (and waiting long enough) for! Since my Christmas break, I’ve been trying to get back on schedule with blogging. I took off a semester in the fall and when I came back a few weeks ago, everything just hit me hard. However, I have to balance out somewhere, so here we are.
We are going to jump right into the recipes and routine I have been using/tweaking since 2012. This is how I wash, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and detox my face.
Washing:
What you’ll need:
· Foaming soap dispenser
· 1/4 C. Baby Mild Castile soap (cleanser & safe for all types)
· 2/3 C. Distilled water (contaminant & chlorine free)
· 1.5 Tablespoons Jojoba (or whichever you prefer) oil
· 2-4 Drops Lavender essential oil (antioxidant & antifungal)
· 2 Drops Lemon essential oil (tightens pores & oil control)
· 20-25 Drops Tea Tree essential oil (blemishes & mild acne)
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients into foam bottle and gently shake to disperse before use. That’s It! I wash my face 2x daily (morning/evening). I make a batch for the shower and a batch for my countertop. If you use one dispenser, I would suggest doubling the recipe for a full bottle.
Exfoliating:
What you’ll need:
· 4 oz mason jar or container of choice
· Stain-less steel mixing bowl
· Wooden or stainless-steel large spoon
· 10-15 drops Lemon essential oil
(detoxifying & removes dead skin cells)
· 2 Tbs. Ground Turmeric
(helps scarring & anti-inflammatory)
· 1 C. Turbinado Cane sugar (add more if you want thicker)
(natural humectant & holds shape while scrubbing)
· 1/4 C. Fractionated coconut oil or oil of choice
(moisturizing & non-pore clogging)
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in bowl until combined evenly. Pour into airtight jar and store up to 6 months in a dry cool area. I exfoliate 1-2 x a week for a burst of skin renewal. Don’t use wet hands to get product from jar. Also be mindful that Turmeric will stain. Rinse face thoroughly to prevent tinting and I also keep rubbing alcohol near in case it slightly stains my sink for an easy clean up.
Toning:
What you’ll need:
· Airtight Amber colored glass bottle
· 1/2 -1 C. of fresh, chemical-free roses
(Ph balancing, removes excess dirt, hydrates)
· 2 C. Water
· Large pot
· Strainer
Instructions:
· Rinse Roses thoroughly and tear off petals.
· Add roses to pot of water
· Cover pot and bring to a boil, then simmer
· Simmer until petals turn white (or colorless)
· Turn off heat and let cool completely
· Strain water into dark airtight glass bottle
· Refrigerate and use regularly up to 30 days
I use bamboo face rounds to tone my face, wiping in an upward motion.To refresh, I simply spray 2-3 pumps near my face. In the photo I used a mason jar, however the mouth is too big, glass is clear and allows for cross contamination, so I used an amber colored glass bottle I purchased from Amazon for easier access and shelf life. Toner hue will mimic rose color, for a deeper hue use red roses.
Moisturizing:
What you’ll need:
· Vitamin E oil (JASON or NOW 14,000 IU)
Vitamin E oil protects from pollution & nourishes. The High IU (International units) is due to the FDA’s recommended intake of 22.4 IU. After patting my face dry, I put a few drops into my clean hands from a dropper bottle and gently rub my face in circular motions.
Detoxifying:
What you’ll need:
· Raw Honey or another form of mask
(Simple Truth Rose & Lavender clay mask)
Instructions:
I detoxify my face 1x a week, usually on a Sunday.
This helps me to really get deep into my pores to draw out impurities and provide an extra clean surface for tightened and bright skin. Since a store bought mask will have instructions, when I use Honey as a mask (just depends on how I feel that day), I simply put Honey in clean dry hands and put an even layer onto my face and let it sit until it starts running (I’m usually in the shower by then).
I follow up with cool/lukewarm water and pat dry. Sometimes I make my own clay mask which works the same as most store-bought ones, but that’s for another day!
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist; these methods are what works for me and a few of my close friends/family who use them too. They are used in the order they are listed. I wet my face before each step except toning and detoxifying.
*** If you make any of the above, please let me know how you like it in the comments below and/or on my Instagram page!