I am going to take a wild guess here. When you hear the phrase “flawless skin”, what comes to your head? Is it those glowing, poreless cheeks that trail on Instagram? Is it waking up to a new day without a fresh breakout awaiting you in the mirror? Well, I completely understand you. Standing in front of the mirror wondering “why is my skin not cooperating?” can be quite troubling.
But how about the hard bold truth – skin doesn’t exist. What truly one desires is ’clear, confident, self reflecting skin’. Skin which feels good, looks good & feels healthy. Is it possible to achieve that simply through natural remedies? Yes.
Well if you’re someone who is tired of dealing with preposterous chemical solutions, expensive products, 10 step routines, then this guide is just for you. Follow along as I break down tips sans the hype, straightforward, and simple to follow steps I have learned through my strife.
What’s Really Going On With Your Skin?
Let us pause before diving into remedies and calmly analyze your skin’s current condition. To be more specific, let’s consider what it can be accurately correlated with. From my discussions with friends, readers, and people in online forums, it appears that a significant number of people are coping with these issues:
- Persisting breakouts
- Skin that exudes excessive oil and shines like a mirror
- Dry skin patches that refuse to heal regardless of lotion application
- Dark patches that are not only difficult to get rid of but also set with time
- fatigued skin devoid of shine or glow
Do any of these ring a bell? My guess is, you are not on your own. All these issues are common yet they arise due to many reasons which coexist. The causes could be dietary habits, sleep quality, stress levels, hormones, and sometimes even washing powder.
The skin is intelligent, however, it is equally responsive. When something is amiss within, it’s usually your skin that serves as the initial warning.
That’s why methods that aim for a skin’s natural approach make logical sense. Instead of attempting to correct problematic behavior such as forcing the skin to comply, one should provide sustained support in a gentle and consistent manner from within.
Why I Switched to Natural Remedies (And Why You Might Want To, Too)
I’m someone who did not ride the natural train too early. Like many others, I would buy the latest beauty product and toss it on my skin hoping for the best. Sometimes the product would work, but most of the time it brought me more trouble than relief. What made me finally change was when I realized that my skin was not merely breaking out, but turning red and dry. It needed relief, and my skin was signaling me.
That’s when I started looking into all natural options, not because they were “cool,” but because I needed relief that didn’t worsen my situation.
What I came across was that natural ingredients when perfectly crafted can give your skin a chance to reset. They’re easy to find and retrieve. They safeguard your skin more often than not, and aid in restoring the balance instead of tearing it apart and rebuilding it remotely.
It does not mean that every single ingredient found in nature is flawless (still exercise caution), but rather helps your skin combat its many issues and works with the pampered tissues.
Let’s Talk About the Daily Habits That Actually Matter
No fancy creams or wild serums. Just a few daily habits that dramatically changed everything for me – and can do the same for anyone.
To begin: class, and your more complex friend, a natural routine is not about a quick fix. Rather, it’s about small actions that undergo compounding. I will talk you through my routine in a bit, but here are the main pillars:
- Cleansing gently two times each day, as opposed to rough scrubbing and skin obliteration.
- Hydration, both internal and external. Water, aloe vera, or rose water sprays will suffice.
- Sleep, sans the four hour kind. Deep, real rest will suffice.
- Protective measures against the sun, regardless of precipitation. Especially while treating scars or dark spots.
- Dealing with stress, as no facial will fix stress-related acne.
Your skin is always listening, and it responds to how you treat your body as a whole rather than how you superficially dress.
The Natural Ingredients I Trust With My Face
I’ve tried a wide range of products, with several aiding me to a degree. However, there are particular steps to my processes that work, and I will always return to them. Below is my list of essentials:
Aloe Vera
Aloe’s cooling capabilities make it perfect for soothing and hydrating skin that feels burnt out. For quick hydration, I use the gel from the leaf of the aloe plant I keep in my window.
Raw Honey
Even though honey can be used as a sugar alternative, it also works wonders for the skin. I go for it during breakouts since it calms inflammation and dry patches. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I rinse it off using warm water.
Turmeric
I was not expecting turmeric to participate, but it surely rang in the fine changes for me. Mixed with milk or yogurt it does magic for my skin, making it glowy. Pro tip, don’t wear white while using this since it has the potential to stain your fabrics.
Tea Tree Oil
Used highly, this can result in burning, and for many, the small bursts are more than enough overnight. When applied on breakouts, along with proper dilution, tea tree oil works wonders for me.
Coconut Oil
Along with being an ingredient for many foods we consume in our day to day lives, coconut oil is great for the skin. I restrict myself to dry areas, basically around my eyes and on the eyelids. This allows me to prevent clogged pores. It can get tricky for some skin types so usage must be limited.
A Real-World Natural Routine You Can Try
For those interested, let me share my current routine. I will say that we all have different skin types. You can adjust it based on what works for you.
Morning
- Begin by washing your face using lukewarm water and a small amount of raw honey.
- Use a clean towel to pat the skin dry.
- As a light moisturizer, apply some aloe vera gel.
- Conclude with natural SPF (zinc oxide).
Night
- Take off your makeup using some coconut oil.
- Wash with warm water or gently with an oatmeal wash.
- Use rose water and toner.
- Put tea tree oil on spots where acne is present.
- Once a week put a turmeric yogurt mask on and let it sit for fifteen minutes (I do this twice a week).
This routine is what I use to clear out breakouts, tone my skin, and most importantly – love my skin all while feeling confidently beautiful. There’s no stress and I certainly don’t use fancy skincare tools.
Your Diet Might Be Talking Through Your Skin
Don’t forget about the body’s insides. I started thinking that skin care is simply topical, and oh, I wish I knew how wrong I was.
My skin improved as I adopted a healthier lifestyle and changed my diet. Now, I am not suggesting that you need to live off green-juice for the rest of your life. However, consider the following suggestions that helped me:
- I increased my water intake to show-up on the job: I made it a personal goal to consume more water.
- I drastically reduced my sugar intake, especially candy and pop.
- I incorporated an increased amount of veggies and healthy fats like olives, avocados, olive oil, and nuts.
- When I need something sweet, I snack on berries instead of chips.
Skin is not only an organ that you have but it also serves as a reflection of everything that is happening under the surface.
What You Need to Know About Time and Patience
To achieve noticeable results, patience is required. Natural remedies take time, and include changes to your skincare regimen like applying honey masks, consuming lots of water, and more.
I’ve noticed significant changes over the past six weeks. My skin tone evened out my breakout slowed and I finally achieved that glow I was always striving to have.
Truthfully, it is ok to accept that I still struggle with pesky pimples from time-to-time. My skin still has unevenness. My skin is slightly textured but I am more confident now because I know what works for me. I simply trust the process.
Sometimes, Natural Isn’t Enough — And That’s Okay
If I may say so myself, and focus on this point: if you’re dealing with serious skin issues, a dermatologist’s assistance isn’t a crime. Natural techniques are beneficial but do not fix everything.
I personally experienced a stage which was rather hard — I hit a wall and needed to be prescribed something to get past it. At that point, I could return to my clean routine for upkeep.
Regardless of skin type or condition, feeling good in one’s skin should never be compromised.
My Opinion| Progress Over Perfection
Want to know the biggest take out from this guide? You don’t have to have no blemishes on your facial skin to be striking. You do need skin that is unmistakably your own and radiates good health.
Natural techniques might help get you there but it is important to know that results will not be instantaneous. You will have to show some level of patience, consistency, and self-compassion in the process.
So, to you, my skin care adventurer, remember: your skin is a part of your narrative, and how you choose to care for it is entirely up to you.