As I’ve settled into my thirties, I have noticeably shifted my focus to a more individualized, holistic, 100% organic, non-toxic skin care regimen. As my skin changed over the years, so did my alertness to the beauty industry, and how under regulated and full of questionable ingredients it all is. Aligning my body care products to be entirely non-toxic was nothing short of a new practice in paying attention. Reading up on products, companies, ingredients, and essentially just taking more time in making my decisions. What was more important to me? A quick and easy purchase? Or a sustainable approach to not only my long term skin health, but supporting products and makers that I was entirely on board with their practices, sourcing and ethical production. And secondary to all of that was my actual skin.
In the winter months, my skin is extremely dry. I’m fair skinned, freckled, and redness shows up easily. Winter is also the time when I take a few extra steps on my facial routine to ensure lots and lots of hydration. Not surprisingly, I circled back around to my motto for almost all things body-care:
Simple is always best.
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Mountain Rose Herbs is one of the very first places I go to find simple, pure, effective and sustainably sourced body care products. Never one to settle for a product I could make myself, I love curating single ingredient products from Mountain Rose Herbs, and combining them myself to create the perfect formula, just for me. The number one thing that I’ve found works for dry, sensitive skin is water based facial products. Creams, gels, masks or moisturizers that are water based just always made my skin feel it’s best. And for truly my entire life as a red head, I always gravitated towards aloe vera gel. This is a product I curated first as a base to anything I’m putting on my skin – face especially. I love Mountain Rose Herbs aloe vera gel because it’s completely alcohol free (why WHY is there ever alcohol put in aloe products is beyond me.). Soothing, hydrating and reducing redness are the main attributes that I love about aloe.
Next, I found that rosehip seed oil provided the oil base that nourishes my deeply dry skin, and matches gloriously to sensitive skin. Rosehip seed oil is considered a “dry” oil, meaning that it soaks into the skin easily and immediately, leaving nothing but smooth, hydrated skin behind with no greasiness. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids, adding to it’s topically nourishing quality. I just love this stuff.
And as a little extra, I use hydrosol’s seasonally. Right now I’ve been really enjoying the Douglas fir hydrosol and it’s wintery forest aroma. Hydrosols are lovely to use before applying creams or lotions to enhance hydration and absorption. And in the summer months, I so rely on these as a cooling, hydrating spritz on the extra humid days.
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In my bathroom cupboards and shelves, I often have little glass bottles to store oils and things. My favorites are these little cork top bottles. I’m just a fan of having a dozen unmarked, magical bottles all over my house that you have to uncork and smell to figure out what it is. Sensory experiences, you know?
So, let’s put it all together. Every evening, here is my super simple winter skin nourishment routine after I wash my face, applied to clean skin:
2 sprays Douglas fir hydrosol on my face, patted in gently.
1 pump aloe vera gel + about 1/2 teaspoon Rosehip seed oil (equal parts of each). Blend together in the palm of my hand and applied generously all over my face in circular motions.
Done.
I’ve been doing this simple winter skin care ritual for 2 years now, and boy has it made a difference. And – fun fact – you can use this aloe + rosehip combination all over your body, too.
For you: Start paying attention to what’s in your body care products. Do you recognize the ingredients? Do you know where they came from? Were the tested on animals? How were the ingredients sourced? Yes, it’s a lot to educate yourself on, but there’s help! Check out the Environmental Working Group for a super easy way to check out individual ingredients for safety. Call the companies. Ask questions. And if you’re wanting to try some simple ingredients, ethically sourced and beautifully crafted formulas and not break the bank, try Mountain Rose Herbs first.
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