Organic Skin Care on a Budget
I was inspired by a fellow Julie’s post Healthy Food on a Thrifty Budget to write a similar list for organic skin care. For it is remarkable how many people think that organic skin care has to cost you hundreds of dollars. It really doesn’t. That myth is perpetuated by celebrities (who can afford to spend all they want on looking pretty) and companies that create endless “10 steps” program and making you believe that you need all the products on their list to see the benefits.
Organic skin care can be simple. Organic skin care can be inexpensive. And best of all, it is always good for you.
So here is a list of tips that will help you enjoy natural products and stay on the budget at the same time. It isn’t in any particular order, so be sure to read through the whole thing!
1. Make your own skin care preparations. This way you control the purity of ingredients and it will cost virtually nothing. There are many recipes online and books in the library. My favorite tip is still the one about using oatmeal as an exfoliant and a cleanser . Use cucumber to take care of dark circles under your eyes and use parsley for a whole range of applications. These ingredients are probably already in your house anyways, so the cost of a facial pampering procedure would be complete zero.
2. Use fewer products overall. You probably don’t need a toner. You don’t need a mask for all occasion (and for rare occasions where you need one – find a recipe and do it yourself). You don’t even need a night cream! Did you know that Dr. Hauschka don’t even make a night cream? The point is your skin needs some rest and night time is the best time for it.
3. Don’t buy into the “you must use our whole line of products” routine. You don’t. Pick and chose what you need.
4. Use less of the product you are using. If you are using a moisturizer and your skin feels fine – apply less now and then or skip a day. If your skill looks fine and the exfoliant bottle says you should do it two to three times a week – don’t bother. Of course the people who sell it want you to run through the product faster. But if you feel fine – let it be.
5. Look for samples of the products you want to try. Almost all the manufacturers supply them to the stores. If your particular store doesn’t have a sample, write to the manufacturer. There is no point investing in a fancy new cream if you have no idea what to expect – it’ll just dust away on your beauty counter.
6. Invest in a good moisturizer. This might sound counterintuitive, but by getting a good main product you’ll prevent many other issues that will require you to spend on corrective measures in the future. Those who’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m fanatical about Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream. But you may like something else, of course. We are all different…
7. Eat better. Now this is common sense, isn’t it? Your skin is a mirror of your health. The more you take care on the inside, the less you’ll need to worry about the outside. Cut out junk and load up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Nothing is better at supplying you with all those anti-aging antioxidants. And if you want to eat healthy on a budget, read Julie’s post on how to do so.
8. Drink plenty of water. It’s the best moisturizer yet invented.
9. Eat almonds. Small wonder that so many under-eye creams use almond butter as a key ingredient. It’s a proven anti-wrinkle warrior. For greatest effect soak them overnight in pure water. This makes them easier to digest.
10. Get plenty of fresh air (but use sunscreen, of course).
11. To prevent wrinkles, gently rub your face with an ice cube in the morning. Yes, it’s probably an advice from your grandma’s days, but it still works.
12. Remind yourself over and over again that perfect skin on magazine photos are an illusion. They are heavily photoshopped. Just look at this photo magic. Nobody looks that flawless. So don’t kill yourself over it.
I hope these tips are going going to help you pamper yourself without feeling guilty. And if you have more ideas, be sure to share them in the comments section!
13 comments
Great post! I agree that a more natural skin care routine does not need to cost a fortune. I found a great skin care sample set from Garden Girl. It’s a very affordable way to try out their line. I love that Garden Girl products are effective without using unnecessary chemicals or parabens. You can find them online at http://www.gardengirlskincare.com.
Thank you so much for the tips! I eat oatmeal every morning, so now I’m also going to try washing my face with it!
Hey everyone,
Another great LOCAL organic skincare company that is certified is MADE FROM EARTH. I have been using their products for the last 6 months – and now stopped. . . Because my skin has naturally improved itself and I have seen a real decline in the amount of wrinkles on the side of my eyes. I would recommend the “VITAMIN ENHANCED FACE FIRMING SERUM”. This is the cream I only used for 6 months and now stopped because it naturally has improved my owns skins ability to heal itself
As a body lotion, I use the HONEY HONEY cream. Smells like honey. Definitely check them out and they are way better priced than most organic skin care lines. . .the website is madefromearth.com
Jessica: It really is easy, isn’t it?
Maria: honey is a good idea in general! Mix it with milk and strawberries, and you’ve got yourself a spa quality face mask
Thanks for your submission to the February edition of the Advice for Women from Women blog carnival.
Can’t believe you skipped olive oil.
Applied, it’s great as deep moisturizer, and regenerates sagging skin, ex foliates dying skin. And recently I found out that it tightens the skin … I’m worried about breasts.
Try drinking or use it as replacement for cooking oil, because it’s very high on antioxidants, naturalizes bowel movement and – my favorite, because I cook for elderly folks – controls the sugar rate, heart problems and blood pressure.
Nothing like healthy to make a person feel more beautiful, na?
Nice work you got here.
The term “Natural” and “Organic” do not mean the same thing. .. The market is full of body care products labeled “natural.” Natural is a marketing term. Organic products are made with ingredients grown without any synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms. When looking for skin care products, look for skin care products that are CHEMICAL FREE and organic. .remember, natural holds no substance to the USDA, but Organic does. . my personal recommendation for health is the Made from Earth skin care line. They us ereal plant and fruits in their skin care, and don’t use any chemicals to preserve them….their face cream, the 3 Berry serum, is my favorite because it is full of antioxidants from the organic blueberries and cranberries it has inside it….it is highly recommended..
Best of luck staying healthy!
Hi: Don’t know if anyone has tried the relatively new Physician’s Formula line of organic make-up. I recently bought the eye liner pencil and it is really nice. They have been expanding the product selection over the last year and they have some nice offerings. Can be found at most drug stores.
The Rose flower appeared on the Earth long before human-being, around 10 – 15 million years ago like other plant materials. The fossils were found around the Northern Hemisphere. Botanists estimate around 200 species of Roses. Roses grew in the temperature with little humidity in the topical region of the Earth like Northern India, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco and France.
The voyages of explorers and the hard work of the botanists have further helped in the best well grown species of rose Called “Rosa Damascena”. People of Northern India (Uttar Pradesh) are doing proper harvesting of Roses like Rosa Damascena and Rosa Centrifolia for further supply to producers of Kannauj City and Aligarh cities.
Rose Oil, also called (Rose Otto, Attar of roses), Rose Absolute is the precious essential oil extracted from the flower petals using Hydro Distillation while Rose Absolute is obtained through Solvent Extraction ( Using solvents like Hexane or Ethanol ) or SCO2 (Supercritical Carbon Dioxide) extraction. The Absolute of Rose is not recommended for aromatherapy. They can only used in Natural Perfumery.
Great info.
Thanks!
You mentioned almonds, do you have any information on almonds and the effects on the skin?
Almonds are one of the few (if not the only) nuts that are an alkaline-forming food, so they are actually good for you overall. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Studies have shown that they have anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties. They are basically one of those “superfoods”. They are rich in folic acid, Vitamin E and magnesium and contain iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcium and potassium. Warning — as all nuts they are high in calories, so don’t overdo it! A little goes a long way!
Almond oil has been used in many skin care preparations for for a long time, especially in Ayurveda.
Really liked your blog! I use My Jeunesse products. They are all natural/organic and I have had much success with them. I really love their Hydrating Masque and Nourishing Exfoliant.
What makeup brands do you recommend?
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