Minimalist Skincare Routine: 2 Step Routine and Simple Makeup. Organic, Basic, and Inexpensive Skincare.

Some products linked below are affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases. Company names and trademarks are the property of each respective business.

HiBAR makes various face wash bars, in addition to other completely plastic-free and excellent quality products. You can visit their website here: HiBAR

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🌾 Foraged Fields has an Etsy shop.

🫧 Dr. Stamler's Sensitive Skin Care

🦉Blinking Owl Acres

⚖️LBCC Historical is called LitttleBits on Etsy (yes, that is 3 t’s).

Here is a YouTube video I made showing these products and how I use them.

🛍️On Amazon:
​🦪Pearl Powder
🧽Exfoliating Mitt
💎Jade Gua Sha Tool
🪨Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool
📖Gua Sha Instructional Book
🪴Arrowroot Powder
🍊Sweet Orange Essential Oil
🍨Vanilla Essential Oil
👑Frankincense Essential Oil
🖌️Fine Tip Makeup Brushes
👩🏻‍🎨Eye and Brow Brush Set
👝Powder Brush Set
🫙Glass Jars with Bamboo Lids

➡️If you aren’t ready yet to go as natural as the aforementioned companies, these are the brands I used before:
💄Gabriel Cosmetics
👩🏻‍🌾Honeybee Gardens
🫧Acure

Over the years, I’ve tried various skincare products and routines, trying to find something that would work for my skin and be affordable too. One day after being so frustrated that my skin was getting worse and I was having to add more products trying to correct the increasing problems, I decided to get rid of all the superfluous products and routines and go as simple as possible. I had been buying organic products, but found even organic and natural products had ingredients that were either unnecessary or actually not good for the skin. I had ongoing acne, clogged pores, and skin that would peel and be prone to redness. In addition to this affecting my appearance, it also affected the way I felt physically. I think it makes sense when one’s skin is inflamed and struggling, it can make you not feel good overall. The skin is, after all, an organ.

So, I finally decided: forget all these products and complicated routines. And, although I never bought overly expensive products, it was adding up to more than I wanted to spend on skincare and makeup. Here you will find the products I discovered in my search for the most natural, basic, and affordable ideas.

Everyone’s skin is so different, so these may not work for you. Also, be aware that just because a product is plant-based it can still cause reactions, allergic or otherwise. Test products first and try them at your own risk. I just hope there is something helpful here for you, if only knowing you’re not alone in the struggle for healthy skin.

The companies I feature in this blog are ones I found randomly in hours of research and I currently use their products. Most are very small businesses. I hope all the hours, and trial and error effort I put in, can save you some time and trouble.

*I belong to the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate programs, which means I may get a small commission on purchases through some of the links on my site. FYI, I already used these products before belonging to any affiliate programs.

Washing Up and Moisturizing

First, let’s start with washing the skin. I tried soapnut powder which worked okay. Also, white kaolin clay is very gentle for cleansing the skin. Pink kaolin clay stained my bathtub and skin. Amla powder stained my skin when using it as a paste to wash up with, even though I read online that it doesn’t stain. I use it in my homemade shampoo and it doesn’t stain my skin in that mix when it runs down from my hair, but using it straight on my skin did stain. It was minor and washed off after several soap washes, but that’s not something I want to deal with. So, I am currently using Dr. Stamler’s soaps and HiBAR. 

This is one of the several Dr. Stamler soaps I use.

This is a pure olive oil Castile soap by Dr. Stamler. It only has two ingredients: olive oil and distilled water. It’s gentle and nourishing. It’s very soft, so it’s important to keep it on a soap dish with good drainage.

Also from Dr. Stamler, is a pure olive oil Castile soap. It is coconut oil free and fragrance free. For those with severe allergies, it can be a great option as it only has organic olive oil and distilled water in it. Very pure and gentle! Sometimes it is out of stock.

White kaolin clay can be used as a gentle skin cleanser or mixed with soapnut powder. Both have a pH that is friendly to our skin’s natural pH. I just mix the powders together and add enough water to make a paste. I add an essential oil sometimes.

I add marshmallow root powder sometimes too. It is very gentle on the skin. I also use it as a hair conditioner.

Here I’ve mixed some various powders and some aloe vera in a bamboo bowl. I just added water to make a paste.

SMALL BAMBOO BOWL AND SPOON

So that’s step one of the two step skincare routine: just wash up face and body with a simple soap or homemade wash.

Step two is moisturize. I use the cream below from Foraged Fields for face and body. Simple! I also use the cream for a clear mascara.

This cream is available in three versions: the original version plus vegan and coconut oil free.

The cream comes in a 2 ounce jar. It’s in glass or you can request cardboard, which is my favorite. Either way, it’s plastic free!

The cream is made by a plastic-free company, Foraged Fields.

When I have time I like to do gua sha massage. I’ve found it really does make a difference. I received good instructions with pictures from this book.

GUA SHA: A COMPLETE SELF-TREATMENT GUIDE

GUA SHA FACIAL TOOL

Here are some essential oils that I sometimes add to the homemade face and body wash. These are truly pure essential oils; no fake fragrances!

PRANAROM FRANKINCENSE OIL

NOW PURE VANILLA BEAN EXTRACT

AURA CACIA SWEET ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL

Minimalist and Healthy Makeup

For makeup: I have a very simple, minimalist routine now. I just use products from Foraged Fields. They have an Etsy shop. I also use Pearl Powder (available on Amazon) as a face powder.

Eyeliner I made from Foraged Fields cream and clay powder.

Foraged Fields makes various colored makeup powders from clay and plants.

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Here is the link to my blog post about my homemade shampoo; conditioner and hair care:
​www.starlightsarah.com/blog/easy-homemade-soapnut-shampoo