I have shared about the shift my skin took since moving to the south two years ago. From the dry desert heat to the humid air of Tennessee, my skin hasn’t known what to do with itself. After arriving, I noticed my skin would have continual breakouts. The reason? Humidity opens your pores and allows for more dirt, grime, and bacteria. Shortly after moving to Nashville, we made changes to all-natural products in our home. From our laundry detergent to our toothpaste, we did quite an overhaul through baby steps of ditching and switching. One of these areas was my skincare. I wanted to make sure and share how I am improving my skin naturally – using clean and plant-based products – and what I am doing that is working.

I think so many of us have become ridiculously aware of the unhealthy and harmful ingredients added to the products sold to us. And I think a lot of us are wanting to make a shift to support our overall health and wellness wherever and however we can. 

*A quick disclaimer: I am a firm believer that it doesn’t matter what you put on your skin if you aren’t doing the right things internally as well. You could spend money on the most expensive products out there, but if you are not properly hydrating, fueling your body with nourishing foods, and getting proper sleep, your skin will never be as good as it can be. This is an area I have become so much more intentional about over the past few years. 

My skin has taken a beating over the years when I struggled with the most basic self-care needs. I’m just here now trying to make up for lost time!

Not getting any younger

This year I will be turning 37. And as I am getting older I am noticing different things with my skin that I want to improve. While I am totally OK with aging gracefully and embracing the smile lines, I do want my skin to be as healthy as it possibly can. And I have decided, for myself, that I want to do this without procedures and injections. Every woman has to decide for herself and I have nothing against those that decide the procedures and injections are best for them to feel confident. I just know that I have seen improvements in my overall physical wellness, hormone balance, and emotional well-being as I have continued reducing my toxin load. 

Starting simple

Just over a year ago, I started very simple with a charcoal soap bar followed by a homemade skin serum morning and night. While some say that charcoal dries their skin out too much, I have found it to be really helpful at keeping breakouts at bay. And following up with my “radiance serum” helps to hydrate my skin. It’s simply a combination of Frankincense, Geranium, Copaiba, Blue Tansy, and Manuka essential oils topped off with jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and Vitamin E oil. Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits:

Frankincense

• Aids in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Stimulates cell regeneration
• Controls acne
• Improves tone and elasticity

Geranium

• Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory to help clear up skin
• Helps with signs of aging
• Supports in balancing skin

Copaiba

• Helps maintain a natural glow
• Reduces scarring
• Regenerates collagen

Blue Tansy

• Antioxidant properties
• Helps to relieve irritated and troubled skin
• Clears congested pores and bacteria

Manuka 

• Helps to keep skin clear
• Supports in treating damaged skin
• Fights off bacteria

Jojoba oil

• Moisturizes skin
• Helps to keep acne at bay

(And do your research! This oil also can help with cuticle repair, frizzy hair, psoriasis, and more. This is the one I buy.)

Grapeseed oil

• Helps to even skin tone
• Decreases clogged pores
• Lightens skin

Vitamin E oil

• Moisturizing
• Supports a youthful look by reducing fine lines and wrinkles

(Your Vitamin E oil should be thick and dark, like honey. This is the one I use.)

Within the past three months, I added a product called CBD Beauty Boost to my natural skincare routine and that is when I noticed a lot more changes. I am newer to the world of CBD, but this product contains 0% THC and combines rose oil, tamanu oil, and grapeseed oil. This one has helped to boost my natural glow, reduce redness, and moisturizes my skin like no other. I have really loved it!

As with most of my life, of course, I am documenting so I can see for myself what is improving and which products are helping to make changes happen. This first photo was taken on January 30th of this year with no makeup on:

And this photo was taken on May 3rd without makeup on:

Comparing these two pictures shows me such a huge difference. I am feeling more and more confident with my skin, wearing less makeup because of it, and am thrilled at the healthy appearance I have seen increasing over time. Nothing will fix anything overnight. However, knowing that I am being intentional with using only products that are good for my health (skincare as well as makeup) makes the patience and consistency through the process completely worth it. I am thrilled with the changes I am seeing!

Another win? I have had my teens use my same charcoal bar as well as my serum and they have had such a wonderful experience – their skin looks so clear and healthy! I only wish I knew about all of this when I was their age and battled acne. Anyone else struggle through those very early years?

So that’s it! That is how I am improving my skin naturally. I love that the added benefit of using essential oils in my skincare is the support in balancing hormones as well as emotional support. I am a firm believer in whole-body health now because I have seen what reducing my toxin load and using clean products has done. Not only in improving problem areas but helping me to feel as good as I can in all the ways.

30-Day Summer Skin Challenge

Over the past year, I have been sharing about my skin journey and products that I have tried with my wellness community. Seeing what has made changes for me, I thought a summer skin challenge would be so fun! And I wanted to make sure and share it here in case you are interested in joining in on it!

You can find out all of the details right here. We are diving in as a group on May 20th! And I also have a PDF guide with more information on the three products we will be using for the 30 days of the challenge and a daily printable checklist.

I will be sharing more as time goes on and what is changing the game for my skin. I have found it so valuable when others have shared about their natural approach so I can research and try new things for myself.

If you have any questions about the challenge or how I am improving my skin naturally, leave them for me below. I am happy to answer them!