One part of my self-care goals for 2018 is to improve my skincare + beauty regime. To say I have been lax in proper care of my skin is a total understatement…I’m actually lucky to even remember to take my contacts out before bed. However, as 40 looms in the not too distant future, I am making it a point this year to really focus on taking better care of my skin both inside + out. Remember, it’s the biggest organ in {on?} your body, is one of our first layers of defense against the yuckiness of the environment + it can make or break our overall look in the age department. Eek! The biggest things that I need my routine to be are natural/organic, easy to use + effective. With two very busy little boys running around, there isn’t much “me time” to have a full-blown spa day, let alone more than 5 minutes to put on make up.
So here are some of the products I’ve started using + ones that I want to start incorporating to help achieve this beauty goal:
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1. CHARCOAL CLEANSER
I’m still on the search for a gentle yet effective everyday cleanser but when I need a deeper clean, a good charcoal cleanser leaves me feeling super clean + refreshed. When Little Barn Apothecary first started selling products wholesale I jumped at the opportunity to sell them + procured a few of their items for my store. The biggest seller + still my favorite to this day is their Charcoal + Aloe cleanser. It’s made with organic + wild harvested ingredients + leaves your skin incredibly soft + squeaky clean. If you have sensitive skin like me I don’t recommend using it everyday since it can dry out your skin a little but if you’re feeling particular grimy on any given day, I highly recommend reaching for this. You can buy it here.
2. FACIAL OIL
Regular water-based moisturizers laced with chemicals do not work for my skin. I either get too greasy, my skin breaks out or gets irritated, or it straight up doesn’t do a thing for the dry areas. Enter in Damn Good Face Wash Facial Oil…The Calm One. I also sold this line in my brick + mortar store + customers loved it…and so did {do} I! Kate, the brains + beauty behind the line, is an RN who is uber passionate about clean living + clean skin care. And because she uses the best ingredients + processes possible, from products being bottled in glass or tin, to shipping with biodegradable packing peanuts, and all the natural + organic ingredients in between, this is a line I + thousands of Esty shoppers stand behind. Take a minute to read her bio on her Etsy page {link below} + you will see how wonderful she is + her dedication to making quality products in small batches.
Back to the oil: this facial oil has been the only thing that works well for me in both warm/humid + cold/dry months. My skin feels soft- not oily- and I love the light lavender scent. There are other ones that I want to try, like The Reliever, as soon as this one runs out. Check out the whole line of products which include soaking salts, scrubs, masks + face wash, here.
3. MASK
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask is by far the best I have ever used. No harsh scrubbing + no down time like an even harsher chemical peel. I haven’t used it as much as it suggests {because I’m a big baby + afraid my skin will fall off} but even the few times I have used it, I’ve noticed a difference. I especially like to put it on before a big night out to make a super clean + smooth surface for make up application. It’s a bit pricey but totally worth it so…Treat yo self!
4. BODY MOISTURIZER
Again, I turn to Damn Good Face Wash for their body butter. The body lotions sold in the drug store just don’t do it for me. The unnatural, heavy perfumed scents + the lack of actual moisturizing made me reach out to Kate who gave me a small tin of her body butter to try + it’s safe to say I won’t be buying drug store lotions anymore.
At first it doesn’t look like the body butter we’re used to seeing from The Body Shop that’s all whipped + creamy. Because this has natural + raw ingredients, they are in their more natural state + are somewhat hard. But a quick rub in the hands to warm it up + you’re good to go. Best is, a little bit goes a long way + I know it’s continuing to nourish my skin throughout the day. You literally can feel it still on you…but it a good way…a damn good way!
5. MAKE-UP
I really want to make a switch to all organic + natural make up like RMS Beauty, Well People, or Beauty Counter. I have to do research a little more on these but so far I want to try Well People Bio Brightener Stick, RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek Lip + Cheek Color {because who doesn’t love make up that does double duty?} and their Volumizing Mascara. Other than that I really need to find a good medium coverage CC cream, eyebrow pencil + eyeliner. Suggestions welcomed!
Do you have any other suggestions for organic + natural beauty products that you love? Any tips + tricks you use to take care of your skin? I’d love for you to share them in the comments!