With all the serums, oils, creams and cleansers available today, skincare can seem much more complicated than it needs to be.
The good news? A great skincare routine can be quite simple. At AZ Naturally, we believe in using fewer, purposeful products and allowing your skin to benefit from nourishing ingredients without overwhelming it.
Here's a simple way to think about your morning and evening routine...
Your Morning Routine
1. Cleanse ~ or simply rinse
Your skin doesn't necessarily need a deep cleanse every morning. If your skin feels comfortable, a splash of lukewarm water may be all you need.
If you prefer to cleanse, an oil cleanser can be a wonderful, gentle option. I used to make soaps and would use them morning and night which was fine at the time. I then changed to cleansing my face with the oils I make. I quickly realized my skin was less dry and just felt so much better.
Oil cleansing works on the simple principle that oil can help dissolve and lift away oils, makeup and impurities without the stripping feeling that some cleansers can leave behind.
2. Botanical Facial Elixir ~ if your skin needs it
After cleansing, apply a few drops of your favorite facial oil or botanical elixir.
This is where an oil like the AZ Naturally Botanical Radiance Elixir can become part of your ritual. A little goes a long way.
Warm a few drops between your fingertips and gently press or massage them into your skin.
3. Moisturize ~ if needed
Here's where you don't necessarily need to layer another oil on top.
If you've already applied a nourishing facial elixir and your skin feels beautifully hydrated, you may be done.
If your skin is particularly dry or wants more nourishment, use your tallow moisturizer instead.
In other words:
Facial Elixir OR Tallow Moisturizer -- not necessarily both. Your skin will tell you what it needs.
Your Evening Routine
Evening is my favorite time to slow everything down and turn skincare into a little ritual.
1. Oil Cleanse
Begin with an oil cleanser to gently dissolve makeup, daily buildup and excess oils.
Massage the oil into dry skin, then remove gently with a warm, damp cloth.
There's something wonderfully old-fashioned about this ritual, and, sometimes the old ways really do have something to teach us.
2. Facial Elixir ~ if desired
If your skin is asking for a little extra botanical nourishment, apply a few drops of your facial elixir. Again, you don't need much.
3. Tallow Whip — when your skin wants more
If your skin feels dry or you're looking for a richer nighttime moisturizer, reach for your tallow whip.
Warm a small amount between your fingertips and gently massage it into your skin.
And if you've already used your facial elixir, you may find that you don't need the tallow as well.
Always listen to your skin.
What About Masks and Exfoliation?
These don't need to be everyday steps.
If you're using a clay or botanical mask, use it after cleansing and before your facial oil or moisturizer.
A simple treatment evening might look like:
Oil Cleanse → Mask → Rinse → Facial Elixir OR Tallow Moisturizer
And exfoliation can be added occasionally according to what your skin tolerates and needs.
Keep It Simple
There is something refreshing about realizing that skincare doesn't have to involve a dozen products.
Cleanse. Nourish. Moisturize.
Some days your skin may want a few drops of botanical oil. Other days it may want the richness of tallow. And sometimes, it may need very little at all.
Your skin is constantly changing with the seasons, your environment, your age and your lifestyle.
So rather than following a complicated list of rules, learn to listen to your skin.
A simple skincare ritual, made with beautiful, purposeful ingredients, can be more than enough.
Less can truly be more.
