Current Skin Care Routine: 4 Natural Products for under $100!

If I kept track of how many skin cleansers, scrubs, toners and lotions I've tried and used over the years, I am sure I could have enough for a very 'clean' coffee-table-book publication.  Anything on the skin care market from teenage skin clearing, to anti-aging and pore reducing, has been on my face.

Through my trials and tribulations, I have come to discover how much I HATE conventional hygiene products.  They make my skin tight, dry, and even break out! I have paid hundreds of dollars for "natural organic" skin care lines...but then discovered that I could get comparable, if not better products from my local health shops and large chain grocery stores.








     




1. Face cleanser: Alba Botanica- natural hawaiian facial scrub (pore purifying pineapple enzymes)

This scrub leaves my skin so soft, supple, moisturized and nourished! I Love the smell and all of the benefits of this yummy facial treat.

"-Hypo-Allergenic
-Made with certified organic aloe vera, and a blend of awapuhi, papaya, and bromelain derived from pineapple, this enzyme scrub gently and effectively smoothes away surface cells and impurities while soothing and hydrating.

-Pineapple enzymes, certified organic aloe vera and gentle exfoliating granules smooth away dull surface cells and impurities for a clear and radiant complexion.

-This gentle cleaner combines effective fruit enzymes and buffing granules for deep-cleansing without drying. Maintains your skin's delicate pH while infusing it with healing moisture.

-For all skin types."

2. Toner: Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal

This toner is amazing at rebalancing my combination skin.  I have been using it for about 6 months and just repurchased a 2nd bottle of this liquid gold.  It has helped to reduce the hyperpigmentation in my skin as well.  It is not harsh in astringents, rather nourishing and leaves the skin pristinely clean and clear...it smells great too!

• New More Sustainable
• Antioxidant-Intensive
• Toner Balances, Restores Even Tone & Provides Photo-Aging Defense
• Contains 70% Organic Content
• Safe, Effective Certified Skincare, Natural Skincare
• Without Synthetic Fragrances, Phthalates, Harsh Sulfates or Parabens

To rebalance skin tone and moisture levels, the pure perfecting combination of Aloe, Cucumber and Papaya Extract purifies and hydrates while targeting areas of hyperpigmentation. Plant-derived Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and cell energizer, helps eliminate free radical damage caused by daily sun exposure to help fight the visible signs of photo-aging.

Free Of

Parabens, harsh preservatives, synthetic colors, fragrances, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and animal testing.

3. Moisturizer: Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer

This moisturizer has a delightful aromatic scent, and it feels like your skin drinks it up upon application.  It is my favourite part of my skin care routine...it just feels so good when I put it on after cleansing and toning.  It is not heavy at all and leaves no sticky/oily feeling on the skin.  My primer glides on perfectly after this step!

"Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is silky smooth and weightless! Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is the perfect facial moisturizer for all skin types, especially oily skin, acne prone skin and sensitive skin types. Combination, oily and acne prone skin types need just as much moisture as they do special treatment. Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is a light facial moisturizer that's perfect for use under make up or as a night care. Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is formulated with a strong combination of ingredients, including sweet orange.

Free of harmful and irritating ingredients like parabens and perfumes, Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is just as effective for sensitive skin and can be used all over the body. Aroma Crystal Morning Dew Moisturizer is best applied after Crystal Clear Face & Body Wash and continued use keeps skin looking radiant, refreshed and rejuvenated!

Active ingredients:

• Sweet orange - Improves complexion.
• Lavender - A skin cell regenerator; helps to reduce wrinkles and scar tissue.
• Geranium - Reduces inflammation, eczema and scarring; helps to prevent the look of aging.
• Palmarosa - A skin cell regenerator; balances oil production. Good for stress and nervous exhaustion.
• Carrot seed - A skin cell regenerator, stimulates circulation, enhances skin tone and elasticity, moisturizes, reduces appearance of wrinkles, soothes dermatitis, eczema and rashes.
• Jojoba - Lubricating and very compatible with the skin"

4. Serum/Primer: The Body Shop Vitamin C Boost

This has such a yummy scent, and a BEAUTIFUL radiant effect on the skin.  My pores look refined, my skin perfect and it really brightens up my skin tone in a natural way.  It is an ideal primer too...I have always loved "Benefit Porefessional" but this I like even better, it adds a touch of radiance under my makeup, and is actually doing good things for my skin, not just covering it up! 

"BEST IF YOU WANT TO: Create instant smoothing radiance with a silky smooth finish. It's an ideal skin pick-me-up to enhance your glow and our favorite Vitamin C product!

BEST FOR: Dull skin

How it works:

• Contains Amazonian camu camu berry, which is known to have one of the highest contents of vitamin C in nature. Antioxidant vitamin C brightens skin, encourages collagen production, improves elasticity, and works along with skin-softening vitamin E to protect skin from environmental aggressors.
• Community Trade Brazil nut oil moisturizes and softens skin."

These products work excetpionally well for me, alone and combined.  You will notice there is a lot of vitamin C in the products I use.  That is for a reason, it helps to boost collagen, bring abour a natural glow, and promotes cell health!  I love the natural essential oils and vitamin E as well in most of these products.

Next post: DIY microdermabrasion...for pennies!

Happy face washing!

xo