Amongst all of the current trends and beauty fads, it’s always best to keep your skincare routine simple. Know what ingredients you are putting on, and allowing to absorb into your skin. Even the makeup you wear gets absorbed into the skins pores – making it even more necessary to wash and clean your face properly, morning and evening. A classic skincare routine consists of three steps; cleanse, tone, moisturise. Additional elements to this might include exfoliation, a face mask (my fave part), or an acne treatment depending on your skin type and what your skin currently needs. Take a look at some of the most natural skin care products that contain few, yet highly effective ingredients – no nasty chemicals here. It’s beginner-proof skincare, sorted.
Cleansers
Garner’s Micellar Water is a must-have kit essential among makeup artists – as well as being a personal favourite! Micellar Water is such a current trend, but it’s actually here to stay – and here’s why. Though hyped beauty products are often of-the-moment; only seen a few times before being disregarded in place of a new shiny formula, micellar water combines top qualities by being gentle on the skin (no need to rub and irritate the skin), no rinse (perfect if you’re on set or on location). Yet it still manages to be effective and super cleansing – perfect! The one for sensitive skin is a personal fave as it works on all skin types – hassle-free!
Slightly daunting at first, these swabs become ultra handy for makeup touch-ups on the go. Swipe across the eyes to fix your eyeliner edges, or along lip lines for a perfect pout. Small but mighty with active ingredient charcoal these swabs tackle and remove dirt, makeup and oil. It’s such a popular ingredient in fact, we’re considering getting the charcoal toothbrushes! It helps with whitening the teeth! You get loads in a pack (50!) so you don’t have to worry about running out. And one of the best things about Milk Makeup? They’re not just fuss-free but cruelty-free too!
G9 Skin is a new up-and-coming brand, definitely one to keep an eye out for – it’s Glossier vibes mixed with infamous Korean Skin Care. This whipping cream is soft and gentle whilst it removes makeup and cleanses the skin – almost an alternate product to Garnier Micellar Water. However, what’s additional to this one is its ‘milk’ moisturising properties that work whilst you cleanse – hyaluronic acid and ceramide are to thank for that. In total, this foam includes 9 natural nourishing ingredients, with the nasty chemicals left out.
Face Masks
Known for their use of ‘Naturally Active Ingredients’, this green clay, deep-cleansing face mask, is an additional element that doesn’t clog up a simple skincare routine, but simply enhances it. The sponges make the product a multitasker as it gently exfoliates and buffs the skin whilst removing product, leaving skin dewy, glowing and incredibly healthy looking. Used 2-3 times a week, the mask becomes a little luxury that truly eliminates the feeling of a days work or clogged, polluted pores from the Tube ride home. Since I first used it, it’s been a definite repeat buy – the moisturising mask is a great alternative, or follow-up mask as well!
Exfoliators
Literally ‘simple skincare’, this facial scrub is so natural, its ‘exfoliant beads’ are actually rice granuales – clever! Use once a week to get rid of any lingering dead skin cells (or twice if you have more oily skin). Massage in circular motions over the face, it also increases blood flow and circulation in the skin, giving it a healthier more radiant appearance. Super simple!
Toners
A new cult product, that as soon as it emerged on shelves (no least in Liberty as one of the first) it was instantly desirable and sought after. Yet it’s a product that lives up to its hype, in particular, its ‘glow’ promise. Ingredients include aloe, witch hazel and glycolic acid, which allow it to be one product with the benefits of a few – exfolient, brightner and pore reducer. Fresher, firmer skin is achieveable!
Even the packaging makes you feel like you have a degree in cosmetic science! Aesop are becoming known for their interesting and specific choice of natural ingredients that seem unthought of, but are forward-thinking. Well designed, everything has a purpose – the brown bottles protecting the product from UV rays – Aesop then being able to use less preservatives – genius! Like Liz Earle, they combine botanicals with beauty, creating not only simple, but natural skin care you’re sure to love.
Blemish Treatments
A one-stop saviour product if you’re breaking out. Simply add it as an extra step in your skincare routine to close pores and tone the skin, reducing grease oiliness and redness at the same time. Fragrance free, fuss free, simple skincare.
Moisturisers
With such desirable, Instagrammable packaging, Glossier is a brand that’s hard to resist, and with mixed reviews – especially about key products such as this moisturising primer, it only makes you want to try, test and swatch the product even more. Perfect for layering up after your morning skincare routine and before adding makeup, this product gives an enviable ‘finish’ to your skin that is lightweight, dewy and healthy. It reduces redness and sinks in quickly, becoming an ultimate, ultra-trendy go-to and soon, a well-worn handbag essential.
All purpose and all natural skin care cream – we love it already. Using six of nature’s most powerful moisturising and healing ingredients, it’s done all the hard work for you – leaving space to truly simplify your skincare routine. There seems to be no skin problem this cream can’t solve – rub it in your hands to warm it until it’s oily and you’re ready to apply. You can use this cream as a face moisturiser, eye cream, scar treatment, hair mask and shaving cream or for eczema, skin irritation and redness, the list goes on. Active ingredients include olive oil, beeswax and royal jelly. This shows just how pure and cruelty free the product is – without a doubt this will become your new skincare staple.
Facial Sprays
Ah, the allure of refreshing rosewater! What better way to hydrate your skin then a spritz of mist that boosts hydration and makes you feel so pampered. Mario Badescu is a name that keeps cropping up, with some cult products such as his Drying Lotion – a guaranteed zit zapper fix. But who knew the facial spray’s simultaneous beauty benefits would make this product so worthwhile. Like Liz Earle skincare, it doubles as a fragrant treatment, by containing other herbal extracts to reduce skin dehydration or tightness and create a spa-like calmness in an atmosphere whilst you carry out your routine. Five star reviews on a series of sites for the product speak for themselves.
Oils
Place a few drops on your skin at the end of your skincare routine, and let this product do the work for you. Once again, the concentrate doubles as a calming lavender fragrant treatment which will allow you to rest, relax and sleep better. Simply wake up and see the benefits of a combination of lavender, olive and primrose oils to smooth the texture and tone of your skin and create an effortless, radiant appearance.
Lip Balms
The Original. This has become a repeat buy since I first used it. Amazed by the effects and extreme hydration, without nasty ingredients such as petroleum (derived from petrol) and is present in other rival products, which I had been trying to avoid. This is a 100% natural formula, made with lanolin. It’s derived from sheepswool and its ‘unique molecular structure closely resembles and mimics your own skin’s oils. It can be used on any part of the body – almost like the Egyptian All Purpose Cream; lips, eyebrows, cuticles, cracked heels, sore nose or small cuts. Plus, its small but mighty lip balm tube means it can fit in any size handbag – perfect!
Spoil yourself with three original formula types to chose from – tube, tin or squeezable. This original formula has deservedly won a number of awards. Loaded with coconut and sunflower oils, a little peppermint oil for a refreshing tingle and loads of vitamins for a truly nourishing and naturally caring treatment for soft, protected lips. Be daring and add a little coloured tint to your balm for a sheer pop of colour with additional benefits.
Hand Cream
An intensive moisturising hand treatment is exactly what your hands need, particularly in the Winter months. With an expert blend of petrolatum, beta-hydroxy and vitamin E. Created in 1930, the beginning of its success is particularly interesting. A client child has hurt and skinned their knee. After applying the cream, eight hours later the skin was all better – amazing!
We always seem to be striving for a simpler skin care routine. And with a selection of the above products, you can achieve this – naturally, which I personally consider to be equally as important. Some brands such as Clinique and Liz Earle have small sample sets that show you a complete skincare routine that covers all bases in 3 – 4 steps, introducing you gently (perfect for beginners), before you buy a full size product.
Other brands such as Glossier cleverly combine skin hydration and moisturisation with light tints that double as doing your makeup, focusing on this no-makeup, makeup trend that enhances and defines your own natural, beautified features.
*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
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