Natural Skincare Tips

Clean and natural skincare products are a popular trend in beauty. Almost every pharmacy and beauty store boasts a fancy new natural ingredient or nontoxic product. Perhaps with good reason. Studies show that some ingredients like triclosan, formaldehyde, and fragrance may harm the skin.¹ However, natural products can also cause irritation, so there are a few tips to consider. 

What Is Natural Skincare?

Natural skincare refers to the use of ingredients from nature rather than synthetic chemicals to cleanse, treat, and nourish the skin.² The term often implies that these products are safer and better for your skin, though that isn’t always the case. 

However, skincare and beauty regimens are personal, and one size doesn’t fit all. You might choose natural products to avoid potentially unsafe ingredients linked to health problems, for eco-friendly options, or for animal welfare.³ Whatever the reasons, the key to a natural skincare routine is to keep it simple and choose the right products for your skin.⁴ 

Natural Skincare Tips

Getting the most from your natural skincare routine involves knowing your skin type, reading labels, and monitoring your skin for reactions and ongoing issues. Understanding the types of products available can help you choose the right products for your skincare goals. 

Know your skin type

As with conventional products, the best natural skincare routine suits your skin type. Some natural products will work better for your skin than others, but some might cause irritation or worsen the condition of your skin. 

For example, if you have dry, itchy skin, a moisturizer with shea butter or jojoba oil can help repair your skin barrier. The fats in these products may help prevent water loss from the skin and provide ingredients your body can use to rebuild its natural barrier.⁵

On the other hand, these same oils can worsen oily skin, acne, rosacea, and dandruff. Coconut oil, for example, is comedogenic and can clog pores and lead to acne flare-ups.⁶ A good rule of thumb is to look for products specifically for your skin type.⁷ 

Learn how to read labels

There are many different terms to describe natural products. However, most of these are unregulated marketing terms that don’t necessarily mean much for your skin. Learning to read labels can help you choose products. 

These terms can include:⁸ 

• Natural: Ingredients that come from nature, often plants.
• Certified organic: Agricultural products produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Companies can’t use organic claims or the USDA organic label without certification. There are three types:⁹
  • 100% organic: All ingredients are organic
  • Organic: 95% of the ingredients are organic
  • Made with organic ingredients: 70% of the ingredients are organic
• Cruelty-free: Not tested on animals.¹⁰
• Vegan: Contains no animal-based ingredients.
• Clean: Contains skin-safe ingredients, which may still be synthetic.
• Eco-friendly: Contains some ingredients produced in an environmentally-conscious manner.

Watch for irritations

Natural skincare products can still irritate your skin. Fragrances and essential oils are popular natural ingredients but common culprits of irritation and allergic reaction.¹¹ It’s best to test one new product at a time on a small part of your skin before applying it everywhere. Apply it twice daily to the skin behind your ear or under your jaw for 10 days. Stop using it if you develop redness, swelling, or itching.¹² 

Choose between home or store products

While some home remedies can worsen your skin condition, others can soothe and nourish. If you’re unsure, a good rule of thumb is to stick to tested remedies rather than new trends.¹³

Try:

• Aloe vera to brighten the skin¹⁴
• Colloidal oatmeal in a bath to soothe eczema flares and dry, itchy, skin¹⁵
• Cold green tea bags for puffy eyes¹⁶

Avoid lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and other food-based remedies, which may irritate your skin.¹⁷ 

Talk to your dermatologist

Most of the time, you can easily maintain healthy skin and manage minor problems with a good personal care routine. However, see a dermatologist if you have:¹⁸

• Stubborn acne
• An itchy rash that doesn’t go away
• An ongoing irritation or dry skin, no matter what products you use
• Changes to moles or patches of skin

A dermatologist can examine your skin and rule out other more serious conditions. They can also prescribe medications and help you find the right products for your skin. 

Natural Skincare Routine

The only difference between a natural and conventional skincare routine is the products. The same simple rules apply: cleanse, moisturize, and protect. You can also add additional steps for your skincare goals or skin type.¹⁹

In the morning:

1. Wash your face with a mild, gentle cleanser. 
2. Treat your skin. This might include a natural vitamin C serum or a tea tree oil spot treatment.
3. Moisturize. You might use an oat-based or calendula cream for eczema and dryness or squalane oil for oily skin.²⁰ 
4. Apply a mineral sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage. 

In the evening, you might add a few extra steps to remove makeup, pamper your skin, and remove dead skin. However, limit exfoliation to once or twice a week to avoid irritation. You can:

1. Apply jojoba oil or rosehip oil to break down and remove makeup.
2. Wash your face with a mild, gentle cleanser.
3. Treat your skin. You might use a natural retinol cream or a spot treatment for blemishes.
4. Moisturize with a night cream for your skin.

Learn More About Natural Skincare Products

Choosing natural products may be an ethical decision to use fewer animal products, prevent animal harm via testing, or protect the environment. Or you may prefer plant-based products and a simple routine to avoid irritations or allergic reactions. 

Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that natural products can irritate your skin, too. Plus, many companies use unregulated terms that can be confusing and even deceptive. Before you start, do your research, talk to your dermatologist, and read about skincare from My Skincare Routine. 

SOURCES:

1. Harvard Medical School: “Clean cosmetics: The science behind the trend.”
2. Mayo Clinic Health System: “What are ‘natural’ skin care products?“
3. Healthline: “Everything You Need to Know to Start a Natural Skin Care Routine.“
4. Cleveland Clinic: “Top 10 Skin Care Tips From a Dermatologist.“
5. Cleveland Clinic: “Are Face Oils Good for Your Skin?“
6. Cleveland Clinic: “Are Face Oils Good for Your Skin?“
7. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin care on a budget.“
8. Michigan State University: “Trending – Natural, Organic & Conventional Cosmetics.“
9. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “About Organic Labeling.“
10. Healthline: “Everything You Need to Know to Start a Natural Skin Care Routine.“
11. Cleveland Clinic: “Top 10 Skin Care Tips From a Dermatologist.“
12. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “How to test skin care products.“
13. Cleveland Clinic: “Do Face Masks Actually Work or Are They Just a Fad?“
14. Cleveland Clinic: “Do Face Masks Actually Work or Are They Just a Fad?“
15. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Home Remedies: What Can Relieve Itchy Eczema?“
16. Healthline: “How to Use Tea Bags for the Eyes.“
17. Cleveland Clinic: “Do Face Masks Actually Work or Are They Just a Fad?“
18. University of Utah: “When Should You See a Dermatologist?“
19. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin care on a budget.“
20. Cleveland Clinic: “What Is Squalane?“