After I shared my post on the Best Natural Skincare for Teenage Girls, many of you messaged me asking what skincare products I use on my skin too.

So I thought I’d share with you.

Since around my 40’s and certainly now that I am 50, my skin is noticeably different to when I was younger. It’s also a lot more temperamental so I have a variety of products on hand to address the change in mood #KidsintheKitchen

So what’s changed most about my skin?

The biggest one is dryness. For years I had an oily T-zone (thank you open pores) and then almost overnight it clicked over to dry!

My skin is definitely not as firm or elastic anymore which is what happens as collagen and elastin levels decline. Then gravity likes to torture us by taking a hold causing eyelids and jowls to droop. Ah, the joys!

Thankfully wrinkles aren’t a huge problem for me …yet!

My skin routine

Life is full so I have to keep my skin routine simple otherwise I just won’t do it. My go to online store for all my personal and beauty products is Nourished Life because it’s a one stop shop to clean beauty, 100% cruelty free, zero waste, eco-friendly and there is no green-washing of their products, you shop there you know everything is going to be natural.

Morning

When I shower each morning I cleanse my skin using my current fave Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (age defying)  but if my skin is going through an exceptionally dry phase, I’ll go for the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Cleansing Foam.

Once a week I use an exfoliator because as we age our cells turnover at a much slower rate which means  our skin can really start to look dull and I find exfoliation really helps with this. My faves are Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Pearl Exfoliator or La Mav Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub.

My latest find and complete addiction is Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil by Edible Beauty. The feel and smell of this oil is so luxurious. Since using it my skin feels much more hydrated and I can see my healthy glow coming back. Post shower, I put a few drops into my hands and gently press the oil onto my face neck. After that I’ll pop on my favourite moisturiser which is Weleda. My faves are Weleda Skin Food Light, and the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Day Cream is a winner too. Sometimes I mix a bit of the two together in my palm and then apply to my face.

If I’m heading outdoors I’ll pop some sun protection on, Hello Sunshine and Little Urchin Tinted are easily my favourite of the millions of natural sunscreens I’ve tried and tested. Being an outdoorsy gal, I’ve developed pigmentation on my face due to sun exposure and not taking more care to cover up and use sunscreen, so now I have one dark spot on each cheek. I recently discovered, but haven’t used this product, which is going onto my next order to try – 100% Pure Dark Spot Remover. It claims to lighten dark spots by using Ferment Sake and Matsutake Mushroom which are known for their brightening properties.

Night

At night I cleanse my face with either one of the Andalou cleansers I use as part of my morning routine. If I’ve got eye makeup on I use Wot Not Ultra Hydrating Facial Wipes. After I cleanse I apply the Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil by Edible Beauty on again, followed by Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream. 

Other

I like to do a face mask once every couple weeks or at least once a month and for many years now my favourite has been Dr Hauschka’s Clarifying Clay Mask.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and feel free to share your favourite natural skincare products.

Bren x

Here are my Top 5 oils for achieving beautiful skin.

Frankincense – this oil has been used since ancient times for it’s beautifying properties. While it’s great for all skin types, it’s particularly good for, ahem, more mature complexions like mine : ) I just love it for its deep moisturising and skin-smoothing affects.

How to use: Mix 7-10 drops of oil to 30 mls of unscented oil like jojoba and apply it directly to the skin. Or just add a few drops into your favourite natural face cream or natural Vitamin E cream.

Rosemary – rosemary has anti-oxidizing and antiseptic properties that work to clean and protect the complexion. It has also been seen to calm inflammation, tighten the skin, minimise sagging and reduce puffiness and swelling.

How to use: Add one or two drops to your daily moisturiser or mix 7 drops with 30 mls almond oil or jojoba oil.

Lavender – lavender oil has powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and works wonders on sunburnt or dry skin. This one is sooo great for soothing and nourishing most skin types.

How to use: I like to mix 7-10 drops lavender oil in a quarter cup of coconut oil in a jar and gently rub onto my face and whole body too! 

Tea Tree Oil – also known as Melaleuca oil has some antiseptic properties which makes it a great natural skin-cleansing option, cleansing away dirt, toxins, and dead skin, it gives my skin a healthy-looking glow and keeping it blemish free.

How to use: Just pop some tea tree oil directly onto a cotton swab and use to wipe your face.

Peppermint Oil – is great for soothing and cooling my skin when it’s feeling inflamed and sore.  I find it also really helps to keep my skin clear. Those days when I get a surprise to see my reflection and my skin is looking worn out, I find the peppermint oil really gives it a pick me up and seems to really stimulate my skin’s oil production when it’s feeling dry or dehydrated. Just love it!

How to use: Use 4-5 drops of peppermint oil into a 30 mls mix of joboba and vitamin E cream and keep away from eye area as it stings!

Off course you can always use a mix of any of these oils to get all the benefits!

Note: Always to a small patch test on the face first to test for possible allergic reactions.

Do you use any of these essential oils for your skin? What are your favourites? I would love to know in the comments below.

B x

The information above is not intended to replace advice from your qualified healthcare professional and is not intended as medical advice.

Photo Courtesy of Young Living