Why You Need A Skincare Routine
When we think of a skincare routine, what immediately comes to mind for many, is highly overrated and overpriced products that line the aisles of your local drug store. Implementing a skincare routine is a necessary investment, not only to protect you from the elements but to aid in keeping you looking and feeling your best. No need to slather your skin with harsh chemicals, there are plenty of natural and organic products to choose from that are not complicated or outrageously priced. My personal top 5 non-toxic skincare brands are widely available and are low to moderately priced.

What type of products do you really need to achieve a healthy balance? A cleanser, a toner, a moisturizer, and sunscreen. According to my esthetician, don’t be alarmed if your skin actually looks worse in the beginning as the product is most likely purging your skin of impurities. Often it can take up to 3 months to see significant results. Choosing the right products for you skin type will aid in healthy glowing skin.
Skin Type
Knowing your skin type and treating it accordingly is pivotal in choosing the right products.
Dry: rough, flaky, scaly – use a gentle cleanser without alcohol or fragrances
Oily: shiny, greasy and possibly large pores – use an oil-free foaming cleanser
Combination: Oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), dry cheeks – use a gentle water-soluble cleanser
Sensitive: some products may sting, burn or cause itching – use a gentle cleanser free from alcohol, fragrance, soap and acid. Pat skin dry, do not rub.
Normal: clear and balanced, not sensitive – use a gentle cleanser, preferably milk-based as they do not strip the skin or have too much emollient.
Cleanser
Don’t use whatever soap happens to be at the sink or in the shower. Find a cleanser that is formulated for your face and your skin type. Always rinse with warm water, not hot. Hot water removes natural oils and will leave your skin dehydrated.

For instance, for dry or sensitive skin, use a cleanser that is free from alcohol or fragrances. If your skin is oily, use an oil-free foaming cleanser.
Toner
Applied after washing your face, toners contain ingredients that restore and replenish nutrients to your skin and often contain ingredients that aid to soften, smooth, and calm the skin. This is particularly important if you have sensitive or oily prone skin.

Moisture
Everyone should use moisturizer, even if your skin tends to be oily. Apply it while your skin is still damp from cleansing to help seal in the moisture. For those with acne or oily prone skin be sure the moisturizer is light-weight and oil-free to prevent blocked pores.

Sunscreen
While some moisturizers contain sunscreen, it certainly doesn’t hurt to double up if your moisturizer is SPF is 30 or below. Your sunscreen should protect against both UVA and UVB rays. If you feel that this is a bit of an overkill, just remember that not only, are you protecting yourself from skin cancer and sun damage, UV exposure is the number one cause of wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone and will result in aging.

Serum
Depending on your specific needs, supplementing with a serum might be a good addition to your daily routine but is not necessary. Serums are topical skincare products that are lightweight and designed to deliver ingredients directly into the skin that often target specific skin conditions. If you choose to add a serum, be sure to read the ingredients. If your cleanser or toner already contains the same active ingredient(s) this can leave your skin irritated.

Exfoliation
Exfoliating will leave your skin feeling smoother as it aids in removing dead skin and increasing skin cell turnover. Dermatologists recommend chemical exfoliants over scrubs to prevent damaging the protective barrier of your skin. Paticularly if you have very sensitive skin, sun damage or acne as they work a little deeper in the skin
Facial scrubs are a good method if you do not have sensitive skin however, you should only do this 2 to 3 times per week.

Healthy Diet
Above all else, a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water go a long way to achieving healthy skin!

My personal pics:
This all-natural skincare line is my personal favorite. I have Rosacea in addition to very sensitive skin and after 3 months of use, my skin is looking and feeling better than ever! Recommended my esthetician, this sample kit for combination skin contained a 1.7 fl oz foaming gel cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Pevonia offers trial kits for a multitude of skin conditions, Rosacea, sensitivity, oily, etc. While the price may appear a little steep, roughly $52 for a trial kit, mine lasted nearly 3 months. That is less than .60 cents per day. You also have the option to make 4 interest-free payments.

Committed to being green from its inception, all products are made in the USA and are safe, effective and made from natural ingredients. Protecting the earth and maintaining an affinity with nature and its precious resources is an integral part of Pevonia’s philosophy.
Cleansers: 4 fl oz – 6.8 fl oz $37 – $50
Toner: 4 fl oz. $30.50 – $42.00
Moisturizer: Depending on type and size: 1 oz – 1.7 oz, 58.50 – $96.50
Versed offers something for every skin type. Following European Union Standards, formulations are free from over 1350+ toxins as well as many questionable ingredients. Committed not only to clean, non-toxic products, Versed goes beyond the skin by reducing waste and their carbon footprint. With their recycling program, they will provide a pre-paid FedEx label to return your empty containers. While not everything is currently recyclable they are taking steps to continually become more and more sustainable. I have used the Milky Cleanser and Baby Cheeks All-in-One Hydrating Milk. It has a pleasant aroma and left my skin soft.

Cleansers: 1.5 oz. – 5 fl. oz, $9.99 – $17.99
Toner: 4 fl. oz. $17.99
Moisturizer: Cream 1.5 oz. $17.99, Gel-Cream: 2.0 fl. oz. $14.99, Advanced Night Cream 1.7 oz. $24.99
Available at Target, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and online.
This natural and organic cosmetic and skincare line focuses on natural beauty. Made in the USA it is cruelty-free, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Using only quality ingredients from plants and botanicals, you can feel secure about what you are putting on your skin. For those with sensitive skin, this is definitely one to try. Although I have not personally tried this one, my neice raves about the Light Moisture Facial Cream and the Papaya Mask for stressed skin. Online reviews give this one a stellar rating.
Real Purity offers a wide variety of products for the entire body including cosmetics. What I appreciate about this company is that they offer low-cost sample sizes for their products.
Cleanser: 4 fl oz. $15.99, 1 fl oz. Sample $3.99
Toner: 4 fl oz $13.99 1 fl oz. Sample $3.99
Moisturizer: 2 oz. $34.99 – 39.99
Available at https://www.realpurity.com/collections/face-skin-care and select Whole Foods.
Made in the USA Humane was created for acne-prone skin. Their philosophy is to treat acne with a minimalist approach by using a few simple, safe and clean ingredients.
Simple, clean, cruelty-free, safe and effective, if you have acne-prone skin, this is one to consider. Most of the reviews for this product were positive however, there were a few that warned not to use on sensitive skin.
Cleanser: 10% Benzoyl Peroxide: 8 fl oz. $24.95, 5% Benzoyl Peroxide: 8 fl oz. $21.95
Toner: 4 fl oz. $20.95
Moisturizer: 3 fl oz. $21.95
Available online at https://thehumanecompany.com, Amazon and Walmart.
Derma.E began with one simple product, a jar of vitamin E moisturizing cream and has continued to create a plethora of clean beauty products. Over 2700 ingredients are on their “Refuse To Use” list so you can be confident that what you are putting on your skin is clean and pure. something for every skin type. Affordable with something for every skin type. I have not personally used this product however, some of my friends swear by it and will not consider anything else. I have only used the Rosehip & Almond Anti-Aging Shea Hand and Cuticle Cream. While it does a fabulous job softening my hands, the aroma is a bit pungent for my taste.

Eco-Conscious from day one, Derma.E takes care to preserve the planet and gives to many worthy causes.
Cleanser: 4 oz. to 6 fl. oz $13.95 – $15.50
Toner: Anti-Blemish Clarifying Bi-Phase 1.7 fl oz. $13.95 Essentials Radiance Toner 6 fl. oz. $14.95
Moisturizer: 1.5 fl oz. – 2 oz. $19.95 – $35.00
Widely available at Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Sallys Beauty Supply and many other health food stores as well as online.
If you have used any of these products I would love to get your feedback.
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Thank you so much! I do my best to thoroughly research a topic before posting.