There is a lot of confusion surrounding skin care products, especially when it comes to facial cleansers, creams and moisturizers. Which should you use? How often? What do they really do?
The answers can vary a bit depending on your skin type, but here is our simple guide to get you started:
1. Cleanse, gently
A lot of people are unsure of how often to wash their face. We recommend washing a maximum of two times per day. Minimize soaps and harsh chemicals as much as possible. If you wear makeup, use a gentle makeup remover at the end of the day. In the morning, you can simply rinse your face with warm water. If you have dry or sensitive skin, be extra gentle and make sure to pat dry instead of rubbing.
If you have oily skin, it can be tempting to wash often, but over washing can signal your pores to go into overdrive and your skin will end up even more greasy. Use an oil free cleanser or foaming face wash.
Our 100% Natural Cleansing Milk & Makeup Remover is a lovely, gentle face wash which won the 2016 Clean Choice Award for Best Face Wash!
2. Exfoliate (with care)
Avoid exfoliating too often. Once every week or two is a good starting point. If you have sensitive skin, avoid scrubbing, especially if you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Look for exfoliating products that do not contain plastic micro-beads, which are polluting our oceans and waterways, and instead opt for a natural exfoliant. Penny Lane Organics Coconut Scrub uses a combination of Apricot Shell and Pumice powders to deep clean your pores, and coconut oil to smooth and moisturize for a fresh and rejuvenated look and feel.
3. Tone & Moisturize
If your skin is oily, a good toner can help to dull that shine and keep oil production at bay. If your skin is dry, it is best to stay away from alcohol based products. Our alcohol free, Natural Clarifying Toner is non-drying and mildly astringent, making it an excellent choice for all skin types.
When it comes to moisturizing, there are so many products on the market it's hard to keep track! Here are some basic rules for the three basic skin types:
If your skin is oily, or you are prone to breakouts, use a light, water based Moisturizing Lotion or Cream that allows your pores to breathe.
If your skin is dry, make sure to use a heavier cream or emollient, something oil based works best.
For severely dry or cracked skin, use a balm to really soothe, heal and protect the irritated areas. Use soothing ingredients like Aloe and Chamomile. Penny Lane Organics natural Rough Skin Balm (with Hemp seed oil) is often featured as a top eczema cream by newspapers and magazines. Hemp seed oil contains the ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 and is rich in Vitamin D. This rich balm prevents moisture loss by creating a protective film on your skin. It helps relieve irritations caused by rashes, burns and skin dryness.
"Penny Lane Organics Rough Skin Balm with hemp seed oil banished my winter eczema" - Adria Vasil, Ecoholic, Now Magazine
4. Nourish & Hydrate
The first step in properly nourishing your skin, is making sure you are properly hydrated! Those 8+ glasses of water a day are essential to over all health. Water helps the body get rid of toxins, and a well hydrated body produces healthier, smoother skin.
A balanced diet with a healthy dose of natural vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants is also vital to skin health. Eating fish like salmon, tuna and cod is a good way to keep wrinkles at bay. For some meat free options - whole grains, seeds, nuts and mushrooms are great additions to your daily skin care regimen. A variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as leafy greens will provide you with a beneficial dose of vitamins A, C & E. Follow up your meal with a cup of warm green tea for an additional boost of nutrients and antioxidants.
Outside of what we put IN our bodies, there are many skin care products on the market that contain beneficial vitamins and minerals, which can be applied directly to the skin. Vitamin E serum is one of the most popular products available to help keep wrinkles at bay.
5. Protect (from the elements)
We all know the suns rays can be detrimental to our skin, but we also need to consider things like wind, frost, and dry heat. Wind and cold can cause skin to dry out, and cause painful cracks to already sensitive skin.
Other introduced elements in our lives can also have an impact, like swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub, working in a garden and being exposed to certain types of plants, or using certain types of skin care products. Even the clothes we wear and the bedding we sleep on can affect our skin. Minimize exposure to harsh chemicals by using a simple, natural laundry detergent, and avoid fabrics that cause irritation. Some parts of our skin can be more sensitive than others, lips, crevices around the nose and eyes, elbows, knees and knuckles. If you suffer from cracked skin, try a soothing balm which helps to retain moisture much longer than a regular moisturizing lotion
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6. Don't overdo it!
You can follow these simple tips for all over skin health. Clean and exfoliate, moisturize, nourish, protect from the elements, and finally, don't overdo it! Be careful what products you use and how often. Some skin care products can dry out your skin, cause contact dermatitis or other adverse side effects and allergic reactions. It's important to above all, pay attention to what your skin is telling you. Washing too much or too often, and using lots of harsh chemicals and fragrances can be very harsh on your skin, hair, and over all health.
When it comes to clean hands, it's good to wash up before you eat or touch your face, but again, don't overdo it. I know many of you feel the need to apply hand sanitizer repeatedly throughout the day, but obsessively disinfecting your hands is not only unnecessary and harsh on the skin, but can also have other negative health effects like a weakened immune system, antibiotic resistance and hormonal disruption.
So, if you need to clean your hands, use a mild hand soap and rub your hands together thoroughly under warm water to wash off any dirt and nasty germs. If you spend a lot of time washing dishes or scrubbing bath tubs, make sure to avoid harsh chemicals and protect your hands with gloves. If you are allergic to latex, purchase Nitrile (medical grade) gloves for worry free protection.
Remember to always listen to your body. Even with 100% natural products, it'spossible to have an allergic reaction to an ingredient. If you encounter any health issues or persisting skin conditions, please consult a medical professional.