Natural Skincare Routine

Keeping some failsafe recipes on hand to make your daily skincare routine safe, cost-effective and luxurious is entirely possible.  We have access to so many resources nowadays but often we become overwhelmed and as a result we never start.

Choosing DIY doesn't mean compromising on quality.  In fact, you are more often than not paying for branding, pretty packaging and someone else's marketing costs when you are buying commercial products.

Making your own beauty and body products also means you are no longer exposed to mystery ingredients, running out of product, waiting for a delivery, throwing out empty bottles, or hanging out for a sale on your preferred brand.

Becoming self-sufficient and reducing your environmental impact are equally important reasons to take the DIY plunge and if you don't know where to start, then start here!

Please note, glass bottles are always best, but if you are repurposing a plastic dispenser, or prefer plastic bottles for use in the shower for instance, just make sure they're made from HDPE or PET plastic to minimise breakdown when exposed to essential oils 🌿

Foaming Face & Body Wash - Twice a Day

30ml Dr Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap (unscented)
70ml Rose or Lavender Floral Water
10ml Avocado Oil
6 Drops Frankincense
6 Drops Ylang Ylang

Add everything except floral water to a glass foaming soap dispenser and mix gently to combine.  This allows the essential oils to bind to other fats before adding your floral water.

You can replace the floral water with distilled water and the avocado oil with any nourishing carrier oil you have. The options for essential oils are endless!

Rose Face & Body Scrub - Once or Twice a Week

45g Raw Sugar
10g Fine Pink Salt
5g Rose Powder
15ml Jojoba Oil
3 Drops Lavender
3 Drops Geranium

Mix well and store in a glass jar. Use once or twice a week after cleansing the face or anytime as a body/foot scrub. Lovely on the hands after a day of gardening too!  

If you don't have one or more of these ingredients, swap out any or all but stick to the ratio of wet to dry ingredients.  

For example, you can use 60g of caster sugar in place of the raw sugar, pink salt and rose powder if you wish.  Or use 5g of dried fruit powder or ground coffee instead of rose powder.  You can also swap out the jojoba oil for any other carrier oil you have on hand such as hemp, almond or olive oil.  If you prefer your scrubs to be more runny, add a little more carrier oil, or if you prefer them dry, reduce the carrier oil slightly.  

Be creative and use what you have!

Charcoal & Clay Face Mask - Once a Week

The charcoal and bentonite clay in this recipe are rich in minerals making them wonderful for deep cleaning and drawing toxins as well as reducing pores and healing blemishes.

The gelatin is the secret to a natural peeling face mask and the oils are incredibly soothing and nourishing.  Did you know that some commercial peeling face masks use glue as the active ingredient?

2 Tsp Natural Gelatin Powder
1 Tsp Activated Charcoal Powder
1/2 Tsp Bentonite Clay
4 Tsp Boiling Water
1/2 Tsp Jojoba Oil
1 drop Green Mandarin
1 drop Frankincense
1 Drop Lavender

Add all ingredients except Jojoba Oil and essential oils to a ceramic or glass bowl and mix well to combine.

Add Jojoba and essential oils and stir. You will need to work quickly as the gelatin will start to set after a few minutes!

Use a brush to apply a thick layer of the mixture to your face (or just the t-zone) avoiding the eye area.

Leave to set completely (around 20 minutes) and peel off carefully. If this proves difficult, or is too painful in some areas, simply wash with warm water and use a face washer to remove any excess. The result is incredibly smooth, clean skin!

Please note that gelatin products are not suitable for vegans. If you would prefer to omit the gelatin, just reduce your water quantity to one teaspoon (and use room temperature water).  Add more until you achieve the desired consistency. 

Tip: When working with clays, always use a wooden spoon as metal reacts with clay reducing its healing properties 🍃

Toner - Twice a Day

Personally, I use floral waters as toners - a light spritz of Lavender Floral Water or Rose Floral Water is all I need after cleansing.  If my skin needs a bit more anti-bacterial power I will reach for some apple cider vinegar or for any skin irritations, alcohol-free witch hazel is a wonderful option.

Serum - Twice a Day

This incredibly simple serum has just two base ingredients that you can adjust depending on your skin type - or the seasons.  I have included some suggestions for other carrier oils and essential oils below as I rarely make the same serum over and over.  An empty bottle is always an excuse to try something new but if your recipe is working wonders for you, take note of it and don't ever change!

25ml Apricot Kernel Oil
25ml Jojoba Oil
8 drops Frankincense
8 Drops Geranium
8 Drops Lavender

Simply put all ingredients in a 50ml glass dropper or pump bottle and use after toning.  I use before the toner has completely evaporated for easy application and follow with a crystal facial roller to aid absorption.  This serum is perfect for both morning and night and under makeup too.

If your skin tends to be more oily or the weather is warm/humid, increase the Jojoba Oil (and decrease the Apricot Oil).  And if your skin is dry or the weather is cold, increase the Apricot Oil (and decrease the Jojoba Oil).  You will find the right balance for your skin, we are all different!

There are plenty of carrier oils you can use depending on your skin type.

✨ Dry/Mature: Apricot Kernel, Evening Primrose, Avocado, Olive Oil

✨ Dry/Inflamed: Rosehip, Pomegranate Oil

✨ Balanced: Camellia, Argan, Sweet Almond Oil

✨ Oily: Grapeseed, Castor, Jojoba, Hemp Oil

Essential oils can be personalised according to your skin type also, be creative and use what you have, but also what you love the smell of!

🌱 All: Frankincense, Geranium, Palmarosa, Blue Tansy, Lavender

🌱 Dry/Mature: Juniper Berry, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Myrrh

🌱 Oily: Basil, Eucalyptus, Melissa

🌱 Sensitive: Roman Chamomile, Copaiba, Black Spruce

🌱 Blemished: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Tea Tree, Rosemary

Please remember, not all essential oils are made equal.  I only recommend and use doTERRA due to it's purity and third-party testing.

Don't be afraid to experiment but do check that the oils you are using are safe for your specific circumstances.  Essential oils, although natural, do have contraindications so check a reliable source for safety information or contact me.