Skincare is the foundation of every beauty routine, but let’s face it—it can be overwhelming having to sift through hundreds of products all while being on the lookout for the list of harmful ingredients that make it into our beauty and personal care items.
Luckily, each step of your skincare routine be made from at-home products, so you can be sure you’re only applying natural and wholesome ingredients to your skin—and it’s cheaper! Running low on time to DIY your whole routine? Check out KIWI’s suggestions for natural products you can feel safe about using.
Step 1: Cleanse
The first step of any skincare routine is cleansing. Remove surface grime and dirt with a gentle milk-based cleanser. The lactic acid in cow’s milk helps dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells together, setting the stage for new, fresh skin to emerge. The oatmeal in this recipe acts as a humectant, which means it helps the skin retain moisture, and the olive oil is a great makeup remover.
Ingredients
- ½ cup slow-cooking oats
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
Grind oatmeal to a fine dust in a blender. Mix in the milk and oil, if using, and apply to your damp face with clean hands, rubbing in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
For a natural product…
Try Tammy Fender Cleansing Milk Lavender & Fo-Ti, which cleans the skin with a combination of milk, lavender, and Chinese herbs ($55 for 6 ounces, follain.com).
Step 2: Exfoliate
Venture down deep into the pores with some gentle scrubbing. The rice sloughs off the dead skin cells that can clog pores and dull skin. The fatty acids in coconut oil make the scrub creamy; the green tea is loaded with antioxidants to unclog pores and fight wrinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon long-grain brown rice, raw
- 1 tablespoon green tea (about the contents of one tea bag)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1-2 drops essential oil of your choice for scent (like rosemary or rose)
Instructions
Grind rice and tealeaves in a coffee grinder until smooth. Place in a small bowl and stir in remaining ingredients. Wet face, and apply the scrub with your hands in a circular motion for about 30 seconds, avoiding the eye area. Rinse.
For a natural product…
Shea Moisture’s Raw Shea Butter Facial Wash & Scrub smooths away rough, dry skin with a gentle scrub that contains Jojoba beads in a thick, creamy formula to efficiently remove dead skin cells, improve microcirculation, lessen the appearance of fine lines and prepare skin for moisture ($11 for 4 oz, sheamoisture.com).
Step 3: Steam
With most of the dirt and dead skin cells having been scoured away, you’re all set to fully unclog pores with steam and prepare your skin for the final two steps of your skincare routine. Scent the water with your favorite essential oil for a little bonus aromatherapy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 4-5 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions
In a medium pot, bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add essential oil if desired, then pour into a large bowl. Put a towel over your head and hold your face about 14 inches above the water, leaving a place for the steam to escape around the edges of the towel. Steam for 5 to 8 minutes, then gently pat your face dry.
For a natural product…
Find all kinds of 100 percent pure essential oils from NOW Foods to set the right spa-inspired mood. Our picks: chamomile for a soothing, herbal scent; lavender for a relaxing, floral aroma; and clary sage for an earthy, centering smell (starting at $6 for 1 fl oz, nowfoods.com).
Step 4: Mask
The first three steps were all about unclogging pores; now it’s time to focus on refining and moisturizing, starting with a honey mask. The natural antibacterial properties of honey fight acne and stimulate the skin to help firm and tighten it; the egg yolk hydrates; and the almond oil nourishes and conditions your skin.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 egg yolk
- 8 drops almond oil
Instructions
Whisk ingredients together until creamy. Apply to your face and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
For a natural product…
Herbivore Botanicals’s Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask is a truly natural radiance mask featuring Rice Powder and Pineapple Enzymes to smooth and brighten skin, plus micronized Brazilian Tourmaline Gemstone to give a glowing complexion ($48 for 2.3 oz, herbivorebotanicals.com).
Step 5: Moisturize
This final step of your skincare routine will keep your skin looking—and feeling—smooth and soft. In this recipe, the aloe vera gel draws water to the skin, while the cocoa butter helps prevent the water from evaporating away. The jojoba and almond oils lock in moisture.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Instructions
In a double boiler over low heat, melt cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and almond oil. Allow the mixture to cool, then stir in the aloe vera gel. Apply to your face in gentle, upward strokes.
For a natural product…
Tarte’s cooling gel hydrates the skin and give it a healthy glow without weighing it down. It features a thirst-quenching cocktail of hyaluronic acid & electrolyte-balancing sea salts, with a non-greasy formula that quickly absorbs into the skin. ($39, tartecosmetics.com).
