Shelly M. Currey

Finding a daily skin care routine that works for you can seem like a never-ending beauty quest. With so much skin care advice out there and multitudes of products to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to focus your energy. But underlining most skin care philosophies and theories are five basic steps that form the foundation of a good and smart skin care routine. Read on for the five basic steps you can take towards a clear and healthy complexion.

Cleanse

What it does:

Cleansing the skin removes sweat, oil, dirt and other pollutants that your skin naturally collects throughout the day and night. It’s the first step in your new simple skincare routine.

How to do it:

Cleanse your skin in the morning and in the evening to keep your pores clear and your face fresh. Your cleanser may vary based on skin type, but with all cleansers, the general consensus is to apply them using an upward, circular motion so as to prevent wrinkles from forming. Make sure your hands are clean in order to prevent excess dirt from entering your pores. If you have very sensitive skin, using only water would also do the trick!
Word of advice:

It’s best to steer clear of harsh bar soaps when cleansing your face, as they tend to dry out your skin and cause it to overproduce sebum, the natural oils your skin produces for protection which also contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
Daily skin care routine – Step 2: Tone

What it does:

There is a lot of confusion around toner, and when you’re first establishing a daily skin care routine, it may even seem unnecessary. But most experts agree that toning is an important addition to your skin care routine with beneficial effects for your skin. After you cleanse your skin of impurities, toner removes any residue left behind by the cleanser as well as any makeup or oils your cleanser might have missed. The added cleansing effects help prepare your skin to absorb moisturizer and minimize the appearance of pores. Some toners may have PH balancing and antiseptic effects as well.

How to do it:

Apply toner right after you have cleansed your skin, while it is still damp. The best way to apply it is with a cotton pad or cotton ball, simply soaking the pads in the toner and wiping upwards, starting at your neck.
Word of advice:

Most experts advise against using harsh alcohol or citrus-based toners as they can damage and irritate your skin. See if a toner works for you, and if not, take this step out of your routine.
Daily skin care routine – Step 3: Exfoliate

What it does:

Our skin is constantly shedding millions of skin cells every day, but sometimes those cells can build up on the surface of our skin and need some extra help to be removed. Exfoliating removes these dead skin cells that have accumulated in our pores. If you struggle with blackheads, acne or breakouts, you’re not going to want to miss this step.

How to do it:

It’s best to exfoliate after toning and before moisturizing. Most dermatologists agree that you should exfoliate one to three times a week, but this depends on your skin type and how it reacts to exfoliation. Experiment and find what works best for you. There are chemical exfoliators and granule exfoliators such as your traditional sugar or salt scrub. Both can be effective tools for removing dead skin cells, but chemical exfoliating ingredients like AHA and BHA are often more effective in getting deep into your pores and removing buildup.
Word of advice:

If you struggle with blackhead and acne or sun damage, opt for chemical exfoliators that contain AHA and BHA over your traditional granule scrub. For acne and blackhead plagued skin, look for an exfoliator containing BHA as it penetrates deeply into your pores. If you struggle with sun damage, AHA is your preferred option as it mainly exfoliates the upper layers of skin.

Read full article here: Daily Skin Care Routine: Getting Clear Skin In 5 Steps

Daily Skin Care Routine: Getting Clear Skin In 5 Steps syndicated from https://magicalskincareushome.wordpress.com

Create yourself a spa experience in your very own home by making natural body scrubs instead of products with harsh chemicals. There are multiple benefits when making your own scrubs and giving your skin a silky smooth makeover. Besides the fact that they’re affordable, easy, and probably in your kitchen right now, you’re lathering vitamins and minerals that benefit your body and face in various ways, not to mention they leave you smelling like a dessert. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and exfoliating the dead skin cells off encourages cellular turnover and gives you that healthy, radiant, glowy skin.

MAIN INGREDIENTS & BENEFITS

Brown Sugar

I highly recommend to use brown sugar instead of white to exfoliate especially your face because they’re made up of smaller, gentler particles, but still strong enough to scrub away the dead skin cells. Sugar is abundant with glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that fights bacteria and is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Glycolic acid is usually a key ingredient in pricey products. The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize skin, but protects it from toxins and promotes new cell growth and circulation.

Coffee

We love a good latte, but coffee can also be used topically. Adding quality coffee grounds to your scrub gives you numerous benefits that include: exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties, improved circulation, reduced eye puffiness, and smooth skin. Caffeine helps tighten your skin and is also loaded with antioxidants.

Cinnamon

This spice can help purify and clear your skin without the need of expensive spa and salon treatments. Cinnamon contains antimicrobial properties that can unclog pores and bring oxygen and blood to the surface. As a result, it plumps up your skin as well as your lips so I add this on to my lip scrub. It is, however, very potent so I don’t use this on my face for more than once a week. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest performing a skin test before applying it all over your face.

Honey

I use raw and unfiltered honey for my scrubs to give me that amazing, natural, nourishing, and hydrating glow. You get smooth, plump, and soft skin—free of synthetic chemicals. Honey contains superior antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties. It’s great for all skin types with dry spots, zits, dark circles, eczema, pore minimization, and lots more. From time to time, I will use this by itself as a natural face mask.

Jojoba Oil

This is definitely one of my favorite oils to use. Being a waxy substance, Jojoba oil can seal in the moisture and create an effective barrier without having you feel greasy. It is counterintuitive to use oil on oily skin, but surprisingly Jojoba can help reduce oiliness. It mimics the skin’s sebum, tricking it to produce less oil. This also works in several ways to counteract acne formation. It acts as a deep cleanser, penetrating deep into the hair follicle, controlling bacterial growth with its antibacterial properties. Sometimes I use it on its own as a deep moisturizer by warming up a teaspoon and massaging it in my face and lips at bedtime, leaving it on overnight. Pure Jojoba oil fully absorbs into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

Coconut Oil

So everyone swears by this oil. It’s used in so many products because of its antibacterial properties. The wonderful thing about coconut oil is that it is healthy and versatile. It is anti-inflammatory, but it’s also known to clog pores and cause acne if used on your face. Everyone’s skin reacts differently so do a skin test first. I only add this in my body and lip scrubs for extra moisture and it’s a great makeup remover as long as you wash it off really well after.

I may add a little bit of something here and there, but these are just the main, basic, accessible ingredients I use on all my scrubs. Listed below are variations and combinations on how I use them. Your proportions will depend on desired consistency. Again, this is all based on my preference and what I use. Your results may vary due to different skin types and reactions.

BODY

• Jojoba or Coconut oil + Brown sugar + Coffee
1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup jojoba or coconut oil
Don’t forget to warm up the coconut oil! If you don’t have brown sugar, you can just use coffee grounds and vice versa. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add a dash of cinnamon and a few drops of vanilla extract. Olive oil is also a great substitute if you don’t have coconut or jojoba oil.

FACE

• Jojoba oil + Brown sugar + Coffee + Cinnamon (optional)
3 tablespoons coffee grounds
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon jojoba oil (Sometimes I like to switch it up and use maracuja oil, tea tree oil or rose hip oil.)
a dash of cinnamon

• Honey + Brown sugar + Cinnamon (optional)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
a dash of cinnamon
For a smoother consistency, you can add a few drops of jojoba oil.

LIPS

• Brown sugar + Jojoba / Coconut oil or Honey + Cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon jojoba/coconut oil or honey
a dash of cinnamon (Cinnamon is great for giving your lips a natural plump!)

• Coffee + Jojoba / Coconut oil + Cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon coffee grounds
1 teaspoon jojoba or coconut oil
a dash of cinnamon

First published here: MY FAVORITE DIY SKIN SCRUBS