Eight Natural Skincare Tips for Glowing, Beautiful Skin this Spring

Inside: Find out how to update your natural skincare regimen now that spring is here! Here are eight ideas to get started for glowing and lovely skin right now!

I was drinking a cup of my Sensuous Skin & Heavenly Hair tea the other day, and I realized it’s time to revamp my skincare regimen for spring! Spring has sprung! That means it's time for you to overhaul your skin care routine to meet the needs of a new season.

During the winter, I tend to use heavier and oilier products to combat the dryness wintertime brings to my skin. But with the warming of the days, extra humidity, and changing of the season to spring (and on to summer pretty soon), it's time to make some skincare changes to keep looking as great as possible! 

Here are some tips to help you adjust your face and body care for this beautiful new season! These skincare tips are easy, natural (for the most part), and will help you glow this spring!

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The warming days of Spring mean it’s time to adjust your skincare routine. Here are 8 tips for ways you should treat your skin as the days get warmer and longer. Natural skincare is best, so enjoy these eight ideas for creating beautiful skin. You m…

The warming days of Spring mean it’s time to adjust your skincare routine. Here are 8 tips for ways you should treat your skin as the days get warmer and longer. Natural skincare is best, so enjoy these eight ideas for creating beautiful skin. You might be surprised at some of them! #skincare #natural #routine #diy #spring #problems #skin #healingharvesthomestead

Skincare Tips for Springtime: Ways to Update Your Skincare Routine Naturally

1) Cleanse:

I love using the oil cleansing method for wintertime. It really does clean your skin, believe it or not! But the oil can be a bit heavy for springtime skincare. 

Starting in spring, I clean my skin naturally one of two ways: Raw Honey OR my own handmade soap. Just keeping it simple. Try that recipe I just linked you to, and you’ll be loving your new, clean skin.

And, here’s a video you might enjoy with my recipe for my Honey Facial Wash—-and it’s AMAZING.

Why should you cleanse your face with honey, you might be wondering? 

Well, honey is anti-fungal and anti-microbial. It's also acidic, and it helps purify your skin. Just take a dollop and rub it over your wet face to give it a nice glow. Use it just like you would a regular cleanser. Rinse with cold water. 

You'll want to be sure to wash all of it off, though! You don't want to be attracting the wrong kind of attention! You know---bugs!

Also, my homemade bar soap is also a real winner as a facial cleanser. It’s gentle and it’s what I use in the shower on my face, even if I use honey at the sink.

Yep. The same soap I use on my body. It's that gentle. You can find directions and the recipe for it here. 

You might also be interested in my Natural Soap Making course which includes a 100 page book with recipes, ideas for customizations, how to use different textures, herbs, clays, and more for beautiful natural handmade soap!

Click here to enroll FREE in this Herbalism Introduction course! You’ll develop a great foundation with these five rich emails with remedies too!

Besides being a broad remedy and cure for many things, honey is great for washing your face! Find out about the healing powers of honey!

Besides being a broad remedy and cure for many things, honey is great for washing your face! Find out about the healing powers of honey!

2) Exfoliate:

Exfoliation is the process of removing the upper layer of dead or dying skin cells. What exfoliating does for you (when done on a regular basis), is help keep your skin fresh and dewy. Now, I have mature skin, being nearly 60 and all---but I still care enough to keep my skin looking as fresh as possible.

So, why should you exfoliate?

  • Exfoliating your skin helps remove tired, dead skin cells, leaving a new layer of fresh skin.

  • Helps with cell turnover, which keeps things "fresher."

  • Removing dead skin cells also unblocks pores, which can cause acne or blackheads, even in older folks.

Even though exfoliating your skin has tons of benefits, you still need to be careful. Harsh exfoliants or doing it the wrong way can actually damage your lovely skin. In fact, there's new evidence that harsh chemical peels may actually age your skin more quickly in the long run. 

Here's how to exfoliate your face naturally:

Your facial skin is one of the more tender areas on your body, so you'll want to be gentle. Using honey, ground up grains, and sugar are my favorite things to use on my face. 

What about salt? 

Well, salt scrubs are harsher than sugar scrubs. You can find out more in this article: Salt vs. Sugar Scrubs: Which is Better? But in the meantime, just know that sugar crystals don't have as sharp edges as salt crystals do. During the scrubbing process, they break down and become spherical, and therefore, more gentle. 

So, if you are going to use a sugar or salt scrub on your face---go for the sugar. Salt is fine for your body, though.

Here are a couple of scrub recipes you might enjoy: How to Make Rose Petal Scrub (best for dry or sensitive skin) and How to Make Juniper-Rosemary Scrub (great for more oily skin). 

Here is one of my favorite exfoliating recipes to use for my face that doesn't involve sugar or salt crystals:

Recipe for Exfoliating Cleansing Grains:

This skin cleansing recipe both cleanses and exfoliates. It's gentle enough to be used every day, too, but still helps slough off dead skin cells. This recipe comes from one of my favorite books: Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, and has been shared generously by her for many years.

**  2 cups white clay (I use kaolin clay, but you could also use French Green Clay too. If you have very dry skin, try Rhassoul Clay, as it is gentler.)

** 1 cup oats, ground into a fine powder

** 1/4 cup finely ground almonds (Although--I will say right here: I'm not a fan of using ground nuts to exfoliate because they can be pretty sharp. Grind them very finely. Alternatively, use organic sugar.)

** 1/8 cup finely ground Lavender flowers (Smell SO good!)

** 1/8 cup finely ground Rose petals (Yummy, and so soothing! Just be sure they are organic, as roses are one of the most highly sprayed plants in the world.)

** Optional: Finely ground poppy seeds or blue corn (1/8 cup). Again, I'm not a fan of these ingredients, as I feel they are too harsh unless they are ground VERY finely. 

To Use:

Simply mix with some honey and/or water to make a paste. Massage on your face. Rinse with water. 

NOTE: This scrub makes a great gift too! 

For an acidic fruit exfoliation:

If you love the way more powerful peels feel, you can replicate this more gently by using certain fruits that contain a substance called bromelain. You'll find your skin feels softer and smoother, even after one round! 

Pineapple and papaya (which contains a similar substance called papain), are both used often in "natural" exfoliating masks. 

All you do is save the rinds from a fresh pineapple. (I just used one for my Pineapple-Clove Kombucha, so I have it handy. So don't throw your pineapple scraps away!)  

Rub the fruit part over your skin for a few moments. Rinse well. Experience the difference!

That's it!

Making a scrub for your face and body is EASY. These also make fabulous gifts!

Making a scrub for your face and body is EASY. These also make fabulous gifts!

3) Moisturize:

During the winter time, I generally use butters to moisturize my skin. Even on my face, I choose oil based serums. Using oils such as Carrot seed, Rosehip, along with fractionated coconut oil or almond oil provides a great nutrient rich moisturizer.

Add in some essential oils that are great for your skin, such as lavender or frankincense---and you've now got a high end moisturizer! 

There are a lot of great diy recipes out there for facial creams. However, making delicious lotions and creams like this link to my dandelion flower lotion for your face, although fun, needs to be made in small batches and often unless you want to use a preservative.

Why? Well, emulsifying oils and water means the chances of bacteria growth is very high. You end up having to use a preservative, or it only lasts a few days.

This is probably the one area of my life (moisturizing in the spring and summer) where I don't DIY very much. What do I do instead?

I try to find the most natural products I can. 

Moisturizing is an area where I’ll often purchase natural products. I’m loving Lemongrass Spa products. I’m an ingredient and label reader, and I can tell you that their products are the most natural I’ve come across.

Another company I like, too, but costs a lot more (so I rarely buy their items), is the French company L'Occitane. I mentioned them briefly in this article: Which Essential Oils are Best for Wrinkles.  It's where I discovered the powers of Helichrysum essential oil! 

So. While I try to make all of my skincare products, the area of moisturizing during the hot months is rather nebulous. Just being open and honest. 

Click here to enroll FREE in the 5-Day Herbal Foundations email course! It’s got rave reviews and will get you started with some great herbal and essential oil remedies!

4) Reduce the Puff:

Inflammation caused by seasonal allergies are TERRIBLE for your appearance (puffy eyes, anyone?). Puffiness can also cause your skin to stretch over time, creating extra wrinkles and bags. Ask me how I know. 

Before I realized how important reducing puffiness in your face is, I couldn't figure out who I always had these bags under my eyes! Then I learned about using herbs (and reducing salt consumption). 

Anyhow, here are some herbal things I do to help reduce puffiness due to allergies in the Spring:

Herbal Tea:

There are herbs out there that are fabulous to use daily during allergy season. Mullein, Peppermint, Elder, Raspberry, and others are great for reducing inflammation and soothing your sinuses. You can find the recipe for my Allergy Tea in this article. It's easy to make, too! 

You can also find pre-blended allergy tea blends from Starwest Botanicals. I buy almost all of the herbs I purchase from them, both culinary and medicinal. 

Herbal Tincture:

Herbal Tinctures are less well-known preparations than herbal teas, but they are very powerful and deserve a mention here. I tend to use tinctures more often than teas for most cures because they are so easy to use and take. They are also easy to make, but they do take some time. 

You can actually tincture the tea mentioned above! Or you can try my favorite allergy tincture recipe. You can find out more about herbal tinctures in this article if you are unfamiliar with them.

After being on allergy medications (both OTC and Rx) for decades, once I switched to using herbs several years ago, my allergies have practically disappeared completely. I swear. For me, it's like magic!   

Allergy tea. Actually, any time you can add herbs to your life, you should. Find out which ones you need, do a little research, and give them a try. That's my personal opinion and advice. They work!

Allergy tea. Actually, any time you can add herbs to your life, you should. Find out which ones you need, do a little research, and give them a try. That's my personal opinion and advice. They work!

5) Sun protection--Physical Barriers are Best

Honestly. I love the sun. Now that doesn't mean I go out and bake in it any more like I used to as a young girl before I knew about UV rays and all. But. The sun is GOOD for us! Unfortunately, it's not too great for our skin in large doses.

But then. Neither are the chemicals found in commercial sunscreens, makeups, and BB creams. Just saying. 

There are two kinds of sun protection: Sunblocks and Sunscreens. 

Sunscreens use dangerous chemicals, and sunblocks may or may not, but they tend to block the sun's rays. I guess it's all about deciding which kind of dangerous you want hitting your skin: The UV rays from the sun? Or potentially dangerous chemicals soaking into your body. 

The absolute best thing you can do for your skin if you are in the sun is wear a physical barrier of some kind. Hats, the new UV-rated clothes, long sleeves---these are the best. 

If you must purchase a sunscreen, and I sure understand if you do....Then try Block Island Organics. For a sunscreen, they are a pretty good commercial choice because they don't contain the cancer causing chemicals or hormone disruptors most sunscreens on the market have. 

You can find out more about sunscreens in this article: Is Sunscreen Dangerous? What You MUST Know About Choosing a Safe Sunscreen.  

Also---if you want to make your own DIY sunscreen, it is possible. There are oils out there that provide a certain amount of protection from the sun, although it's very difficult to put an SPF rating on them. 

Here is a list of great butters and oils to try that will provide a modicum of sun protection:

I've personally used all of these oils on my skin, and I can attest that they do work--to an extent. You do have to keep applying them often as they soak into the skin. 

I'm not a fan of using a lot of olive oil because it has the lowest SPF potential, and it's very thick--not great in the heat. Red Raspberry and Carrot Seed Oils are on the pricier side, too. 

NOTE: There is really no way to “test” if natural sunscreens do work. Therefore, try them out and see for yourself. Pay attention while in the sun, and put on clothing immediately if you feel as if you are getting a sunburn.

Physical blocks are the best way to protect your skin from the sun (in my opinion).

Physical blocks are the best way to protect your skin from the sun (in my opinion).

6) Hydrate!

We all know this: Drinking enough water keeps the cells in our body (including the skin) adequately hydrated. Also, drinking enough water helps our body flush out toxins, too! 

I know this: When I drink enough water, my whole self just feels better, and I KNOW that translates to my skin, too. 

We've all heard the standard amount of water to drink every day is 8 glasses, minimum. However, I believe every body is different, and we all need to make adjustments for our own selves. 

Just keep in mind that when you sweat, you'll need to drink more water. My personal goal is to drink about 65 ounces a day, which is about half my body weight. That seems like an amount that works for me. 

7) Diet---Your Skin Shows What You Eat:

This one's another no-brainer, right? When we eat lots of vegetables and whole foods, our skin does better. When we eat processed garbage, out come the zits. At least---that's my personal experience, as well as the personal experiences of many students over the years and my own family. 

This book by Michael Pollan: In Defense of Food, is one of my favorites that discusses "real" food and what it is. 

And if you'd like a GREAT book that shares tons of traditional food recipes, you'll enjoy Nourishing Traditions. Sally Fallon, the author, doesn't go into any food eating styles like Paleo, Keto, Vegetarianism, etc.

But what she DOES provide in this well-researched book is a lot of traditional food preparation methods used by cultures the world over along with tons of easy, fun recipes. I love this book!

Here are my personal favorite things to focus on eating enough of for my skin:

  • Foods that contain high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids (Spinach, Grass-fed Beef, Walnuts to name a few)

  • Foods containing Potassium & Magnesium, which most folks are deficient in (Sweet potatoes, coconuts, avocados, to name a few)

  • Herbs. You just can't go wrong with drinking your herbal nutritive teas every day. Plants and teas high in anti-oxidants (Rooibos, Black tea, Green tea, etc.) are some of my favorites. And Dandelion, Nettle, Raspberry, etc. are all nutrient dense. You can find out more about basic tea (Camellia sinensis) in this article.

At any rate---eating right is great for your skin! 

Pineapple is great for your diet and health! It's also a great skin exfoliator as it contains bromelain.

Pineapple is great for your diet and health! It's also a great skin exfoliator as it contains bromelain.

I’d love to be your guide into herbalism! Click here for your FREE 5-Day Herbal Foundations email course!

8) Lighten Up Your Look:

I tend to sweat when it gets warm. And any make up I wear just sweats right off too. I've learned, as a more "aged" woman, that less is more these days. Heavy makeup just doesn't work in high humidity or heat. Nor does it work with wrinkles. 

Am I right?

Amen. 

Truly, the best thing you can do for your appearance if you need to wear makeup (as I do to an extent) is lighten it up. I use a really lightweight concealer, a bit of mascara, and my lipstick/stain does double duty as blusher. That's it. Keep it simple in the Spring and Summer, at least for every day. 

Maybe someday I'll try making my own make up. There are some websites out there with some good instructions, like Humblebee and Me; but I'm not even close to having that kind of time these days. Someday. Perhaps. 

In the meantime, you may enjoy this video on how to make a beautiful Calendula and Rose Lotion!

Final Thoughts on Creating Your Springtime Skincare Routine

You know what? You can put all the bandaids on yourself you want...but the best thing you can do to take care of your skin in all seasons is to treat your body right. Making your own products is the best thing you can do. After all, you know exactly what's in them.

But given that we all just don't have that kind of time, do some research of your own so you can find the best, most natural alternatives on the market.  

Another wonderful appearance tip is to just….SMILE! Smiling does wonders for your look.

Hopefully this was a helpful article for you! If you have ideas or have tried other things that aren't included here, please leave a comment in the comments section! We'd love to hear from you!

Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,

Heidi

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Disclaimer:

I am not a medical doctor or beauty aesthetician. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and not meant to treat, cure, diagnose, prevent, or fix any health or beauty problem. Please seek advice from your medical professional before using any herbs or essential oils. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. 

Resources for the Science Behind My Words:

https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/the-benefits-of-drinking-water-for-your-skin/26334

https://www.boldsky.com/beauty/skin-care/2013/top-ten-natural-oils-that-act-as-sunscreen/articlecontent-pf10743-033701.html

https://www.bewell.com/blog/the-whys-and-hows-of-exfoliation/

https://www.motherearthliving.com/Natural-Beauty/Skin-Deep-Get-Smooth-Skin-for-Spring

http://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-different-types-of-clay-benefit-your-skin/

https://saltandritual.com/blog/how-to-wash-your-face-with-honey#honey-face-wash

https://www.boldsky.com/beauty/skin-care/2013/top-ten-natural-oils-that-act-as-sunscreen/articlecontent-pf10740-033701.html

http://thebeautybrains.com/2016/05/can-i-mix-my-own-sunscreen-episode-132/

 

 

Natural Body & Home, Health RebelHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistskincare, how to take care of your skin, natural skin2 Comments