Lifestyle Choices

Despite what you may have read in advertising or seen at cosmetic counters, your skincare routine does not need to be complicated. You do not really need a different cream for each part of your face. Good nutrition from good ingredients will help your skin balance and thrive.

Your skin needs to be cleansed, nourished and protected. Sound simple? It is, and your routine should reflect that. This way you will become aware of how your skin functions and reacts to your lifestyle and environment, then you will know when you need to supplement with other products to bring about balance at various times.

Let’s break your routine down:

Cleansing

Choose a mild cleanser, preferably a milky one that is easily rinsed with water. Foaming cleansers can be beneficial if you have excessively oily skin, but be wary of those that really foam up; they can overly dry the skin. There should only be a slight lather, and it should still leave your skin feeling soft afterwards.

If your cleanser does not easily remove eye make-up, then use Calendula oil around the eye area with a cotton-wool pad; it will gently and effectively remove all traces of make-up while soothing your skin. Water is a great cleanser and re-balancer for the skin, so rinsing off your cleanser is best followed by a compress.

You may wish to make your own cleanser (there are some great recipe books around), try some of our recipes on the following pages or use natural products, such as yoghurt, which is gentle and effective. Yoghurt must be kept in the fridge; warm it in your hands before applying.

Compressing is part of the cleansing process to remove last traces of make-up or grime, and to gently soak the top layer of your skin. Add three drops of an essential oil into a basin of warm water and agitate. Place your flannel in the water, lift out and squeeze lightly. Now place the flannel over your face and press. This soaks the surface of your skin, allowing the essential oils to penetrate and the cleansing action of the flannel to gently exfoliate. Repeat four to five times.

Essential oils for compresses

• Lavender: calms the skin and calms you, ready for bed!
• Bergamot: healing to the skin, helping de-stress you.
• Pine: antiseptic to the skin, inspiring and clearing your mind.
• Eucalyptus: oxygenating to the skin, helps refresh and stimulate your immune system.
• Sandalwood: rejuvenating to the skin, helps ground and centre you.
• Ylang Ylang: balancing and regulating for your skin, soothes and relaxes you.

Compressing is a wonderful deep cleanse for your skin, and by using a flannel you are creating a gentle exfoliating action. It feels fantastic!

Cleansing clay mask

Another form of cleansing is to use clay masks. These should be used once a week, unless the skin is oily - then a couple of times is more beneficial. They absorb excess oil and dead skin effectively yet gently. They are a great addition to have!

Try mixing this replenishing clay mask:

• 2 tablespoons clay (Fullers Earth, Green Clay or Kaolin) purified water to blend
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 drops essential oil (your choice - refer to page 163) 1 teaspoon carrier oil

Blend the clay with water until it forms a smooth paste, add in the honey (warm the honey if needed to make it runny) and your essential oils and apply to your skin with a pastry brush, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for about 15 minutes, then rinse off with tepid water and a flannel

Scrubs

Scrubs or exfoliants are a wondeful way to revive your skin. Choose very gentle scrubs that are free from abrasive ingredients. If they feel scratchy on your hand, leave them off your face! Most scrubs should be used weekly, yet some of the gentle clay-based scrubs can be used more frequently.

Facial Scrub

Mix almond meal with a little Sweet Almond or Jojoba oil, to make a paste.

Massage over your skin for one to two minutes, then rinse with water, or try:

• 2 teaspoons dried milk
• 2 teaspoons fine oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon

Mix to a paste and massage over the skin for 1-2 minutes, then rinse with water.

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