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

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. Below 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, if not all, 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 the links featured below. 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. Definitely worth trying. 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 skin. 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. They are completely unscented; they only have the wholesome smells of the organic ingredients in them.

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 this 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!

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. These are the brands I use. 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.

I rotate between the Dr. Stamler soaps and the homemade powder mix. I use the same for both face and body wash. 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 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.

Here are a few other moisturizers I use and recommend. I rotate these with the aforementioned cream. These are oil moisturizers rather than cream:

• Dr. Stamler’s Face Oil
• Dr. Stamler’s Body Oil
• Blinking Owl Acres Facial Serum
• And here is the cream as well for ease of finding it: ​Foraged Fields Cream
  

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.

Here are some essential oils that I sometimes add to the homemade face and body wash:

I have also started purchasing from a company that sells pure essential oils and carrier oils at a great price and variety of sizes. You can visit their shop here.

Minimalist and Healthy Makeup

For makeup: I have a very simple, minimalist routine now. It continues to evolve, but I currently use a clay-based face powder from the same company I buy the face cream from. It also comes in sample sizes so you can test the colors to find a match (the cream is also available in sample sizes). Additionally, the company makes beautiful blush and eyeshadow colors all made from clay and plants. As another plus, it is also a plastic-free company. The owner is amazing and has created many wonderful items. Link to her Etsy shop here.

This powder is called Gaia’s Kiss. It has a beautiful finish for the skin and a little bit of sparkle. I use it for special occasions, as it’s a more expensive product made from roses, pearls, silk, and a few other ingredients. It lasts a long time; a little goes a long way. You can click here or on the photo to see it on Etsy. The seller has other wonderful items in her shop as well.

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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