Beginner's Guide to Going Natural: Your Journey to Holistic Skincare
The holistic approach to skincare is a gentle journey that reconnects you with time-honored practices, nurtures your skin with toxin-free goodness, and leaves you feeling more in tune with both your body and the environment.
People turn to holistic skincare for various reasons but some of the most popular are:
- A desire for healthier, more natural alternatives to conventional products
- Looking to avoid toxic, chemical ingredients that can irritate the skin and disrupt the body's natural balance.
- Looking to soothe sensitive skin or allergies
- A desire to decrease their toxin contribution to the earth
- A desire for simplicity
Whatever the reason is that you're looking to transition to natural skincare, welcome! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the switch smoothly.
Step 1: Start Slowly—Don’t Overhaul Overnight
The transition to natural skincare doesn’t have to happen all at once. Begin by replacing one product at a time. Start with something simple like your cleanser. This gradual approach allows your skin to adjust and helps you learn what works best for you. Plus, it prevents waste since you can finish what you already have before introducing new products.
Step 2: Read Labels and Know What to Avoid
Learning to read labels is crucial when transitioning to natural skincare. Look for products that are free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and colors, PEGs, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Many find that this process can be overwhelming to do on their own, and like to use an app that scans labels for them and gives feedback on the ingredients found within. We like to use the Switch Natural App, found here.
Focus on finding products that list simple, recognizable ingredients—like pure oils, plant extracts, and essential oils.
Step 3: Expect a Transition Period
As your skin adjusts to natural skincare products, you might experience a short transition period. This is normal! Your skin may go through a phase of detoxing, especially if you’ve been using products with synthetic ingredients. You might notice new breakouts or changes in texture, but don’t worry—this usually subsides within 2-3 weeks as your skin starts to rebalance itself.
Step 4: Embrace Simple Routines
One of the joys of a holistic skincare routine is its simplicity. You don’t need a 10-step routine to achieve healthy skin. Often, less is more. A basic routine might include cleansing with a cleansing oil, toning with a hydrosol (like rose or lavender water), and moisturizing with a pure oil or a natural cream. You can always add treatments like masks or serums as needed, but the core routine should be straightforward and easy to maintain.
Step 5: Listen to Your Skin
The holistic approach to skincare is all about tuning in to what your skin needs. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to switch it up. It’s also important to remember that your skin's needs will change with the seasons, your environment, or even your diet. For example, you will likely need to exfoliate more and use a heavier moisturizer in the summer, and can likely use a oil or serum as a moisturizer in the summer. Be patient with yourself and your skin as you figure out what makes it feel its best.
Step 6: Extend the Holistic Approach Beyond Skincare
Holistic skincare is just one part of a broader, more natural lifestyle. Consider looking at other areas of your life where you can reduce your exposure to toxins—whether it’s through your diet, cleaning products, or even the way you manage stress. It’s all connected, and each small change supports the others. Holistic skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that considers your entire well-being.
Remember, every small step you take toward natural skincare is a step toward a healthier, more harmonious life. Embrace the process, trust in the power of nature, and give yourself grace as you make this beautiful transition. Your skin—and your soul—will thank you!
So, what can a holistic skincare routine look like?
Here’s a simple routine to get started with:
Morning Routine:
- Cleanse – just rinse your skin with water.
- Balance - mist on a pure toner. I recommend Clarifying for those with acne prone skin and Rose for all other skin types.
- Treat – then apply an antioxidant rich serum, like our Pomegranate Serum
- Protect - with Sun Zinc Oxide Makeup
Nighttime Routine:
- Cleanse - try oil cleansing. We recommend our Farm Girl Cleansing Oil
- Balance - follow with a toner- Pure Rose or Clarifying. Treat - use a Serum - Plum Glow Serum is a very versatile serum that is a great place to start. Here is a link to a guide for the rest of our serums.
- Moisturize - use Fresh Face Cream for most skin, or Blue Beauty for acne skin or rosacea skin.
*I would first try using the serum as your moisturizer before gradually adding in our creams. The creams can be a little rich for some skin types and should be used in a small layer over a serum.