Let’s be real: there’s no fountain of youth BUT we can do as much as we can to keep our bodies healthy! Our skin is our biggest organ so it’s only right that we nourish and protect it as much as we can.
I've recently realized that the methods and products I was using and the order of the routine, like Oil Cleansing and Double Cleansing, were very similar to the 10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine. I've noticed that like the Korean skin care method, hydration is key! Also, I’ve read other articles from dermatologists that recommend doing your facial care routine to include your face all the way to your shoulders. So if you suffer from skin problems or want a more youthful appearance please read on!
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MORNING ROUTINE
OIL CLEANSE: COCONUT OIL
Apply a pea sized amount of oil directly to your face. Massage upward and outward.
Leave oil on skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off. Side note: I normally don't spend 15 minutes massaging oil into my face, I just massage until I feel like it's been rubbed in pretty well. When I wake up, I oil cleanse my face quickly, do things around the house before I get into the shower (and viola! There goes the 15 minutes lol)
And if something doesn't work for you! It's okay! Switch it up! Brown Rice Syrup instead of Honey or Jojoba Oil instead of Coconut Oil. Anything that works best for you. I know people say that Coconut Oil and Olive Oil clogs pores, so if that is the case find another oil that is compatible with your skin.
I use any type of castor oil! Organic Black Jamaican/Haitian Castor Oil is high quality. I just try to make sure that all of my ingredients are organic, raw, unrefined, etc. And if all you have is Coconut Oil, that's great too! I just recently switched over to Castor Oil and Olive Oil.
DOUBLE CLEANSE: HONEY
This step will take off the rest of the oil. Apply as much honey to your face and massage it in. Then rinse! I put the honey on in the shower. It’s way less messy that way!
Try to rinse off as much as possible, but don't worry if all the oil doesn't come off! (It never does... lolol)
TONER: Apple Cider Vinegar and Water
Mix 1/2 parts Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) & 1/2 Drinking Water. I like to use a spray bottle to mix the ingredients.
On a washcloth spray the mix and then wipe your face with it and then rinse (ACV smells a bit).
MOISTURIZE: COCONUT OIL or SHEA BUTTER
You can use a mix of your favorite oils! In the warmer months I use oils and in the colder months I mix my oils with Shea Butter .
Warm up the serums and moisturizers in your hands first and then press it onto face. They say pressing is better than rubbing.
HYDRATING MIST: ROSE WATER (optional)
This step helps to seal in the moisture and gives added confidence (because who doesn’t love a good facial head toss hehe)! You can use Rose Water or make your own mix!
from: Universal Herbs Inc
<—————— Here’s my fav to use
EVENING ROUTINE
(Pretty much the same as the Morning Routine.)
OIL CLEANSE: CASTOR OIL/OLIVE OIL or COCONUT OIL
Mix together 1/2 parts oil of your choice and 1/2 parts Castor Oil is very cleansing! You can use just Coconut Oil here to cleanse too if you want.
GENTLY EXFOLIATE:
Mix together baking soda and/or freshly used coffee grinds into a powder scrub, with bentonite clay in equal parts using a plastic or wooden bowl and mixing utensil.
If you like your exfoliating scrubs more on the abrasive side, add a little more baking soda or coffee grinds. I've been using baking soda for a couple years now and I've had nothing but good results, but just like Coconut Oil/Olive Oil, there's a lot of mixed feelings on using baking soda. It's what helped heal my acne, so I definitely recommend starting off with it especially if you’re someone who has acne. Even if you don't have acne, you can still use it.
Pro tip: Don’t exfoliate every night, perhaps once or twice a week. If you don’t care for the exfoliators mentioned above, you can use honey instead.
TONER:
Mix apple cider vinegar in equal parts with filtered water.
SERUM: ROSE HIP OIL
Argon Oil or any serum you like! I never knew this, but the serum should be put on before the moisturizer because it's concentrated with antioxidants & nourishment.
I never realized how much my boyfriend and I use essential oils in our daily lives (not just for facials but for things like headaches, back pain, cramps etc) but we were going through it A LOT so I actually bought this bundle package which has been such a money saver!
MOISTURIZE: COCONUT OIL and/or SHEA BUTTER
MIST: ROSE WATER (optional)
WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY/MONTHLY FACIAL
GOAL: Keep your face hydrated! So throughout this facial, if you feel your face getting dry, apply the hydrating mist.
1. OIL CLEANSE: COCONUT OIL
2. MASSAGE: UPWARD & OUTWARD (15 MINS) I love to do this step using a jade roller! My pro tip is to store it in the freezer, as it feels so good to de-puff your face and under eyes before setting off for the day!
3. STEAM: GREEN TEA (10 MINS)
1. Fill up a big pot with about an inch or 2 inches of Drinking Water.
2. Drop in 4 Green Tea bags or 1 cup of dried tea.
3. Cover with a lid & bring to a boil & then cut off the heat.
4. Place the pot on top of a towel, on top of a table that you can comfortably sit over.
5. Remove lid & let the pot cool off for 30 seconds (more or less), until the temperature is hot, but comfortable for you.
6. Put another towel around your neck & start a timer for 10 minutes.
7. Put the towel over your head, over the pot of hot water. Make sure no hot air escapes.
8. Try to keep as much heat in as possible, but if it's too hot, let the air out, but go back under!
9. After the 10 minutes, allow your face to cool down for 30 seconds.
4. GENTLY EXFOLIATE: BAKING SODA or COFFEE GRINDS
5. MASK: (20 MINS) Clay & ACV or Activated Charcoal & Honey
6. TONER: ACV/WATER
7. 7 SKIN METHOD: ROSE WATER- The 7 Skin Method is Korean. Apply the hydrating mist 7 times. Don't let your face dry out! After the 7th mist, moisturize You can wait until your skin dries a bit, but not completely.
8. SERUM: ROSE HIP OIL
9. MOISTURIZE: COCONUT OIL/SHEA BUTTER
10. HYDRATING MIST: ROSE WATER
More tips: For my toner I recommend using a wash cloth to distribute on your face (instead of using cotton balls because my partner and I are trying to become as zero waste as possible)! I try to moisturize my face (and all of my skin, for that matter) when it's damp/still wet, it helps to retain more moisture.
I do these routines every day and night. It may seem like a lot, but it starts to become second nature after a few times, I promise! And it takes about 10 minutes or less! I feel a lot better about myself when I do this and I’ve also found that it helps me decompress and unpack my day!
Let me know your favorite parts of these facial routines! Drop me a line below please. And of course be a dear and like, and share this with your friends!
xoxo,
Mari