My 5-Step Morning Skin Care Routine for Glowing Skin.

If you are like most people, you will end up going to the drug store or supermarket or cosmetic store and see this aisle full of products.

Well, they will definitely confuse you. Your skin does not really need 10 products in the morning skincare routine. Here is everything you need to do for holistic skin care and effective beauty tips for glowing skin.

Step 1- Use a cleanser (strictly not a bar soap). I cant stress how important it is to have the morning face wash routine right. For those, who have taken the natural journey already, I have seen that they love to use the bar soap straight up , thinking its natural and a little wont hurt. Please avoid using bar soap on face. It is for use on body only due to relatively higher pH, it is too harsh for your face!

For oily based skin, use a foaming cleanser.

For normal, sensitive or dry skin, use a more hydrating cleanser ,example one made of green tea or cucumber extract.

Step 2- Use a natural toner (free of alcohol). Natural toners re-establish the pH of the skin and allow it to become slightly acidic ; as cleansers can go in the basic direction. You may use aloevera, rose, lavender , witch hazel or chamomile based alcohol free toners. Going alcohol-free anyways is a great skincare routine in itself. Another way to tone is using a cube of ice. You can put your favourite floral water or fruit juices to form the cubes. They will tone well and tighten your skin. 

Aloe vera- known as the “plant of immortality” in ancient Egypt, has been used historically for a variety of medical purposes in Arab, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Roman cultures (Atherton, 1998). Traditionally, the gel is topically used to soothe wounds, burns, ulcers, and skin irritations; the latex is considered to exert cathartic effects. Several reviews have summarized Aloe vera’s active pharmacological properties as wound-healing, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, antiviral, antibacterial, laxative, immunological, antiseptic, and antitumor effects

Rose water- Rose water is already used extensively in morning skincare routine. The problem is the timing! It has to be used as a toner, post cleansing.The high antioxidant content in rose water toners will protect skin cells against damage, encouraging healthy skin cell turnover for reduced pigmentation and boosted collagen levels. This means that rose water is super helpful for those combatting UV damage or compromised skin tissue due environmental factors or skin weakening over time. The reduced lipid levels and slower collagen production that occur in our skin as it ages can be effectively treated with the essential fatty acids present in rose water, which strengthen the skin’s lipid layer while plumping and firming for reduced fine lines. For more blemish-prone skin types, rose water toner is also an effective antidote. A potent anti-inflammatory, applying rose water topically means soothed skin and reduced redness and inflammation. For those suffering from acne, rose water toner is super helpful when it comes to cleansing clogged pores, while still maintaining the integrity of the lipid barrier. And due to its antibacterial properties, a rose water toner can drastically reduce the size and severity of active blemishes, plus the natural astringent properties mean that it can clean pores, tighten capillaries and remove excess sebum.

Lavender - It has antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties which help to keep your face clean. Additionally, it is has regenerative effects on damaged or fragile skin. It reduces all types of skin irritation and inflammation, it is great for soothing acne, is cooling and calming and when used with witch hazel -becomes a before and after sunscreen spray, it is stress bursting and mood uplifting

Witch hazel-For centuries, this naturally derived product has been harvested from the witch hazel plant (also known as Hamamelis virginiana) in North America, where it’s been used for everything from promoting skin health to fighting off infection, cleansing oily skin, treat minor wounds, heal bug bites, treat cold sores, treat acne, minimize stretch marks and soothe burns.

Chamomile-It is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, and contains essential oils and antioxidants. Additionally, is hypoallergenic and helps to reduce skin irritants by neutralizing free radicals, fade spots, eliminate acne scars and fight breakouts. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants and protects the skin from free-radical damage.

Most important step-preferably a combination of Vitamin E and Vitamin C to get a synergistic effect. All ZoeM elixirs have both. An antioxidant protects your skin from free radicals and the oxidation process that these free radicals create.

Vitamin E- is high in antioxidants, fights hyperpigmentation, prevents aging , fine lines and wrinkles on the face, treats acne scarring, promotes cell turnover and regeneration, reduces skin itching, helps reduce eczema, psoriasis. (Note- Vitamin E can irritate some skin- patch test is recommended before use )

Vitamin C-moisturises well, suits most skin types,makes skin radiant, evens out skin tone, fades hyper pigmentation, reduces dark circles and puffiness, boosts collagen, is anti-sagging, heals sun-burns and protects against sun damage and can overall speed up wound healing.

Many natural oils possess specific compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch properties, making them attractive alternative and complementary treatments for xerotic and inflammatory dermatoses associated with skin-barrier disruption. Unique characteristics of various oils are important when considering their use for topical skin care. Differing ratios of essential fatty acids are major determinants of the barrier repair benefits of natural oils. Oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio have better barrier repair potential, whereas oils with higher amounts of irritating oleic acid may be detrimental to skin-barrier function. Various extraction methods for oils exist, including cold pressing to make unrefined oils, heat and chemical distillation to make essential oils, and the addition of various chemicals to simulate a specific scent to make fragranced oils. The method of oil processing and refinement is an important component of selecting oil for skin care, and cold pressing is the preferred method of oil extraction as the heat- and chemical-free process preserves beneficial lipids and limits irritating byproducts. Recommended- cold pressed- organic - Olea europaea (olive oil), Helianthus annus (sunflower seed oil), Cocos nucifera (coconut oil), Simmondsia chinesis (jojoba oil), Avena sativa (oat oil), and Argania spinosa (argan oil).

Creams and hydrophilic gels are the most common topical preparations applied on the skin due to their positive sensory properties. The advantage that gel has over ointments or cream is that it is a more stable, non slimy, and semisolid form of medication. Due to its characteristic sensory properties (easily applicable on the skin, easily cleaned with water, and leaving no greasy membrane on skin, unlike other ointments), gel is suitable for the modeling of natural preparations that are usually applied several times a day for longer periods of time. Hydrophilic gels ensure easy and safe use as they don't have the highly restricted and controlled essential oils in them which may be too concentrated for the delicate under eye skin.

Please share your feedback and comments , I will be happy to know more on what is a good skincare regimen for you personally for your skin.

Happy Skin!

Vibhuti