Basic Steps for Your Mama Glow

5 Simple Skincare Tips

1. Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep

Your skin heals itself while you sleep. Sleep deprivation can reduce the skins ability to repair itself resulting in reduced elasticity, puffy eyes, dark under eye circles and fine lines or wrinkles. Skin cells regenerate, maintaining elasticity and helping to prevent signs of aging. Increased blood flow helps circulate nutrients and protect your skin from daily environmental exposure.

I know it is hard to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but that is ideal for optimum repair potential, and most of the "repair" occurs between 10pm - 1am. At the very least, aim to be in bed before 10. It is not easy to sleep uninterrupted. Here are some tips to help you fall back asleep or for deeper sleep.

• Use an eye mask
• Essential oil inhaler with soothing sleep blend (Lavender, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood)
• Binaural beats app (set timer 15-30 mins)
• Deep breathing exercises
• Guided meditation
• Journal brain dump to clear your mind

2. Reduce stress

Stress can cause so many issues throughout your body, including your skin. Stress can lead to breakouts, dry, red, irritated, or inflamed skin, and can also increase signs of aging, especially wrinkles.

Stress can impair the skin's barrier function and put a strain on its ability to repair itself. Keep your stress levels low for soft and supple skin.

Proactively reduce your stress levels with mediation, bliss walks, movement, deep breathing, or through recharging acts of self-care.

3. Less is more

Keeping your skin barrier strong and healthy can be a delicate balance, but it can also be very simple. When your body is healthy and balanced, it knows exactly how to care for itself, and this includes your skin. 

Using excessive amounts of products, over exfoliating, and stripping your skin of its natural oils can do more harm than good.

A basic skincare routine consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

1. Cleansing

The first step in any skincare routine is cleansing with a gentle nourishing cleanser to dissolve and remove makeup, sunscreen, oil, and grime from your day.

2. Toning

Toning helps to balance your skin’s ph level after cleansing. This is less of an issue with botanical oil cleansers as they don't contain surfactants. In this case, spritz your face with an aromatic hydrosol for a hydration boost.

3. Moisturizing

Regular daily moisturizing is essential when it comes to caring for your skin; especially during colder months when dryness can be even more predominant due to lack of humidity in the air coming indoors heated homes and buildings! Make sure you use an oil-based moisturizer on damp skin because they create an occlusive protective layer on top of your skin which prevents water loss.

4. Follow a consistent simple skincare routine

The key to seeing results is consistency. It can take up to 30 days to see a major change in your skin. If you have trouble staying consistent, start with the basics and you can add in more products or techniques as you get more comfortable.

Simplify your skincare routine. Keep it quick, so it is easy to continually care for your skin even when you are exhausted. Check out our 5-Minute Skincare Routine for botanical bliss without the fuss.

5. Nourish your skin inside and out

Use products with skin nourishing botanical oils full of antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids. These help repair your skin, protect against free radical damage strengthen and moisturize without stripping your skin of natural oils. Avoid hot water, harsh or irritating ingredients (acids, retinol, hyaluronic acid in the winter) and over exfoliated. 

Nourish your body from the inside with a variety of whole foods and plenty of water. Consume foods high in vitamins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and collagen. Eat organic whenever possible and fill your diet with high quality fruits, veggies, nuts, bone broth, eggs, meat, and organs. Introduce supplements as you age, to replace what your body is no longer producing on its own.

Moisturize and hydrate your skin before bed. Take advantage of your body's repair process and deepen your skincare routine's benefits. Your skin needs both water and oil to stay healthy. When using a botanical oil based routine, apply your face oil to damp skin to lock in moisture. If using a primarily water based routine, finish with a face oil or balm to lock in hydration and nourish your skin barrier.

Skincare tips for a natural glow

To ensure your skin is healthy and well-functioning, it's important to practice good skincare habits both inside and out. What simple steps inspired from the list above can you take today to help keep you looking your radiant best?