From the moment I saw her, I was always in awe of my Mum’s flawless natural golden glow. She always told me, “You don’t need to do much to have good skin.” Yet as an adolescent I was caught up in whatever my teen magazines would write about, and I tried to achieve this “good skin” by using products that would end up causing the exact opposite of whatever they promised…breakouts, dryness, oiliness. A mess.

Until I finally listened to her wisdom:

* Keep it simple

* Less is more

* A little goes a long way

My Mum was right and I’m proud to admit it because it did my skin a lot of good!

After many breakouts and imbalances with having dry skin in the winter and oilier skin in the summer, I use the most simple way to care for my skin and natural skincare products. I either make them at home using ingredients in pure form from trusted sources. After allowing a bit of time for my skin to get used to the ritual it is finally balanced and glows pretty much everyday all year round.
Note: I’m a woman so there are hormonal fluctuations which can cause a pimple here and there, but they dissipate pretty quickly if I apply something like a tea tree oil and do not cause scarring.

I also live by the philosophy that we are what we eat. I’m a believer that our skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside our bodies emotionally and chemically. I always know if I’m peaceful or stressed, eating healthy or not by the condition of my skin. When I get indigestion caused by inflammation from the foods I’m eating, my skin tends to get irritated and breaks out.

So…I stay hydrated by drinking water and herbal teas throughout the day, I avoid eating too much sugar and salt (but everything in moderation), and eat meals with a balance of grains, protein, vegetables and fruits that contain vitamins and nutrients.

Another part of taking care of myself is how I begin and end my day.
In the morning, I get refreshed and grounded creating the foundation for the day.
In the evening I wash away the day and feel the most beautiful with nothing on my skin, calm and prepared for a good night’s rest.
Inside out, it all helps maintain my body with clear smooth glowing skin…and this is how I do it…

MORNING SKINCARE RITUAL

1. After a shower, wash face with cold water
   *If I workout in the morning I’ll use a little oil cleanser while washing my face to clean the sweat, otherwise I do not deeply cleanse in the morning because I did at night*
2. Moisturize face with moisturizer:
   • Summer moisturizer – lighter on the skin in hot weather while hydrating:
     2 tbsp aloe vera cosmetic gel mixed with 1 tsp sweet almond oil
   • Winter moisturizer – to restore hydration in cold weather: little finger scoop of raw Shea Butter
     (available at most health food stores)
3. Take a deep breath. And continue on into the day ~

EVENING SKINCARE RITUAL

1. Get moody. I like low lights. currently using a nightlight, candle or essential oil diffuser with light
2. Splash face with warm water.
3. Apply an oil cleanser that also removes any makeup
   (Oil based cleansers keep the skin hydrated with nutrients instead of stripping the skin’s natural oils the way soaps or cleansers with alcohol might do)
   I use the oil cleanser from Province Apothecary, you only need a pump or two and it lasts a year and a bit: https://provinceapothecary.com/products/moisturizing-oil-cleanser-make-up-remover
4. Use a wet wash cloth with warm water to gently remove the oil.
5. Pat the face dry (this feels so good)
6. Spray the face, neck and décolletage with rose water.
   (I mix my own in a travel sized spray bottle with rose water and 5-8 drops of lavender essential oil)
7. Moisturize face and neck with moisturizer (Summer or Winter friendly moisturizers).
8. Take a deep breath and continue unwinding for the day until bedtime.

Simple.

Less is more.

A little goes a long way ~