OK, ready?
Now that we’ve dipped our toes into the vast ocean of natural beauty, are you ready to dive deeper? Awesome, because this is where things get really fun.
The swaps
Imagine a place where everything you pick off the shelf not only loves you back but also loves our planet. That’s what we’re aiming for with every swap you’re about to discover.
From your bathroom cabinet to your kitchen pantry
Daily skincare routine essentials swaps
- Facial Cleanser ➜ Oatmeal: A gentle and effective cleanser, oatmeal soothes irritation, absorbs excess oil, and its natural saponins cleanse the skin. Mix with water, apply, massage gently, then rinse.
- Toner ➜ Apple Cider Vinegar and Water: A natural way to balance your skin’s pH and combat bacteria without the harshness of alcohol. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water, apply with a cotton pad, and let your skin feel refreshed.
- Serum ➜ Vitamin E Oil and Aloe Vera Gel: Combine the healing power of Vitamin E oil with the soothing properties of aloe vera gel for a serum that fights aging, reduces scars, and hydrates deeply. Just a few drops before moisturizing can rejuvenate your skin.
- Moisturiser ➜ Coconut Oil: Hydrates the skin, prevents acne, and protects against wrinkles with just a dab. Coconut oil’s natural properties make it a powerhouse for keeping skin healthy and glowing.
- Eye Cream ➜ Cucumber Slices or Puree: The natural astringent properties of cucumber reduce puffiness and refresh the eye area. Apply slices directly to the eyes or use cucumber puree as a soothing mask.
Additional beauty treatments swaps
- Scrub ➜ Sugar and Olive Oil: A sweet and smooth exfoliator that sloughs away dead skin without abrasion. Sugar’s fine texture and olive oil’s moisturizing benefits leave your skin soft and glowing.
- Eye Makeup Remover ➜ Almond Oil: Perfect for sensitive skin, almond oil dissolves makeup effortlessly while nourishing the delicate area around the eyes and promoting lash health.
- Acne Spot Treatment ➜ Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera Gel: A natural remedy that reduces inflammation and redness, helping to calm breakouts without drying out your skin. Apply directly to spots for a gentle, effective treatment.
- Hair Conditioner ➜ Avocado and Banana Hair Mask: A deep-conditioning treatment packed with natural oils and potassium. This mask strengthens and hydrates hair, leaving it silky and healthy.
- Deodorant ➜ Baking Soda and Coconut Oil: A natural deodorant that neutralizes body odor while moisturizing the skin. This combination uses the antibacterial properties of coconut oil and the odor-fighting power of baking soda.
- Lip Balm ➜ Shea Butter and Raspberry Seed Oil: Provides moisture and a healthy tint with natural sun protection. Shea butter nourishes, while raspberry seed oil offers SPF and a hint of color.
- Nail Strengthener ➜ Olive Oil and Lemon Juice: This mix nourishes nails, promoting strength and brightness. Olive oil hydrates and repairs, while lemon juice cleanses and brightens for healthy, resilient nails.
The essential – basics
Getting started with natural skincare isn’t just about swapping out products; it’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind each ingredient. Here’s a quick guide to some of the superheroes you’ll want to get familiar with:
Your kitchen basics
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances skin pH and acts as a natural toner.
- Avocado: Hydrates and strengthens hair as a deep-conditioning treatment.
- Banana: Rich in potassium and natural oils, perfect for hair conditioning.
- Baking Soda: Neutralises odours for use in homemade deodorants.
- Cucumber: Refreshes and de-puffs the eye area, used as a natural eye cream.
- Lemon Juice: Strengthens and brightens nails, used in nail care treatments.
- Oatmeal: A gentle, soothing cleanser and exfoliant, perfect for sensitive skin.
- Sugar: A natural exfoliant for gentle scrub formulations.
Essential oils
- Frankincense Oil: Known for its anti-ageing properties and ability to improve skin tone.
- Lavender Oil: Soothes skin irritation and reduces stress with its calming scent.
- Peppermint Oil: Cooling effect on the skin, useful for foot treatments.
- Tea Tree Oil: An effective treatment for acne and skin blemishes.
- Eucalyptus Oil: Offers antiseptic qualities and invigorates the skin, perfect for refreshing sprays.
- Rosemary Oil: Stimulates hair growth and improves scalp health.
Carrier oils
- Almond Oil: A gentle makeup remover that also nourishes lashes and skin.
- Argan Oil: Tames hair frizz and adds a healthy glow to the skin.
- Coconut Oil: A versatile moisturiser for skin and hair, and a base for deodorant.
- Olive Oil: Moisturises skin and hair, used in scrubs and as a makeup remover.
- Raspberry Seed Oil: Offers natural SPF protection, used in lip balms and skin serums.
- Shea Butter: Moisturises and heals the skin, a base for lip balm and body butters.
- Vitamin E Oil: A nourishing serum ingredient that fights ageing and heals the skin.
- Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it an excellent moisturizer and carrier oil for essential oil blends.
- Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight and non-comedogenic, grapeseed oil is perfect for oily or acne-prone skin.
Botanicals and extracts
- Aloe Vera Gel: Soothes, moisturizes, and heals skin, ideal for serum and acne treatments.
- Witch Hazel: Acts as a natural astringent to tone the skin and minimize pores.
Clays and powders
- Bentonite Clay: Draws out impurities from the skin, making it excellent for detoxifying face masks.
- Green Clay: Ideal for oily skin types, green clay helps balance oil production and rejuvenate the skin.
Hydrosols
- Rose Water: Gentle and soothing, suitable for toning the skin and refreshing the complexion.
- Lavender Water: Calms skin irritation and provides a soothing scent for relaxation.
Natural Butters
- Cocoa Butter: Provides deep moisturization and improves skin elasticity, ideal for body butters.
- Mango Butter: Rich in vitamins A and E, mango butter nourishes the skin and boosts its luminosity.
Waxes
- Candelilla Wax: A vegan alternative to beeswax for making lip balms and solid perfumes.
- Carnauba Wax: Offers a glossy finish and hard texture, suitable for vegan cosmetics and balms.
Various
- Vegetable Glycerin: Attracts moisture to the skin, serving as a humectant in lotions and serums.
- Activated Charcoal: Known for its detoxifying properties, it’s great in facial masks for drawing out impurities.
A little DIY magic
Feeling crafty? Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Basic moisturising lotion
- Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and your choice of essential oil for fragrance.
- Method: Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together, stir in the jojoba oil, add a few drops of essential oil, and let it set. Voilà!
Brands that get it right
And for the days when DIY isn’t on your agenda, or you’re looking to support brands that align with your new ethos, don’t fret. There are gems out there worth your attention. Look for brands that are transparent about their sourcing, committed to sustainability, and free from synthetics. We’ll be sharing a curated list in our upcoming Ethical Beauty Starter Pack. Stay tuned!
Next: your new skincare routine
Armed with your swaps list and a sprinkle of DIY enthusiasm, you’re all set to embark on this journey towards a more natural, conscious approach to beauty and health. Remember, every small change counts. It’s about progress, not perfection.
Looking forward to seeing where this path takes you. Let’s do this together, step by step, swap by swap.
Until next time, keep it simple, keep it natural, and keep on glowing.
NEXT: YOUR NEW SKINCARE ROUTINE.