After some trial and error, I have found exactly the minimalist, natural DIY skin care routine (and skin care recipes!) that works best for my acne prone skin and busy homemaking mom life.
I’ve used this same routine through pregnancy, postpartum, and while breastfeeding, in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and I have been so pleased with what I perceive as reverse aging of my skin!
My skin feels hydrated and nourished because of this easy natural skin care routine and recipes.
Journey to My Minimalist Natural DIY Skin Care Routine
At the same time I suspected skin cancer on my face, I was dealing with a chronic hormonal acne situation. I knew I needed to dial in my skin care routine (that is, actually have one in the first place!) and be consistent with it.
As a teenager, I had used various acne cleansers when washing my face. They never worked and made my skin feel unnaturally dry and irritated.
As an adult, the best I could do was wash my face with warm water and pat dry. In my 20s, this seemed to be sufficient.
But when I reached 27, my skin wasn’t content any longer. I had acne on my cheeks and chin and down my neck! (And certainly, hormones and inward bodily chemistry was at play, as well.)
Not only did my skin not look good, but it was painful! I had forgotten how much acne can hurt— especially with children bumping their heads into your face. Ouch!
For a year, I really didn’t know what to do. I felt like a teen and young adult again, scrambling to find various natural skin care techniques and recipes that would actually work: oil cleansing method, diatomaceous earth face mask, tea tree oil spot treatment, and on and on.
I researched what was considered the best skin care routine…. So many steps! So many chemicals going on these ladies’ faces!
And even though I tried to implement whole routines or parts of routines, it just wasn’t working to correct my acne breakout or to make my skin actually feel healthy.
Finally, all this trial and error and research led me to have two major breakthroughs in understanding skin care, which is now the foundation of my minimalist natural DIY skin care routine at home.
My acne is gone. Acne scars are diminishing in appearance. My skin tone is becoming more even. My skin looks hydrated— and feels nourished! (And if you’ve been watching my channel the past several years, you’ll have seen the change in my skin that I’m talking about!!)
What’s wild is that the Scriptures actually speak to these two critical points of natural skin care that have had such a dramatic effect on my skin!
How to Hydrate Skin Naturally at Home
The first key understanding in my natural skin care journey was the importance of hydration for healthy skin.
I used to cleanse my face and pat dry. Now, I never dry my skin at all!
Instead, it’s incredibly easy to hydrate skin naturally at home. Hydrating skin is two parts: sealing in moisture and attracting moisture.
I seal in the moisture with a natural emollient, such as olive oil.
I attract moisture from the environment and deeper layers of my skin to the surface of my skin using a natural humectant, such as beeswax.
This little key is literally what helps my skin to feel so glowing and nourished— just as the Scripture says!
…Oil to make man’s face to shine.
Psalm 104:15
Use Herbs for Healthy Skin
The second key understanding in my natural skin care journey was that I was already using one of YHVH’s most powerful herbs for other skin ailments; why not use it for my acne and in my general skin care routine?
My favorite skin care herb is the plentiful and humble plantain leaf.
After I started using plantain leaf for my acne, especially in conjunction with not drying my face before applying it, my acne began noticeably clearing up! First, it receded from my neck, then my cheeks, then my chin.
As I’ve entered my 30s, I’ve also begun incorporating rose into my skin care routine for its anti-aging and wrinkle-defying properties.
Even now, I am using eggplant extract to treat my skin cancer (with success!).
To get started with using herbs for your natural skin care routine and recipes, I recommend looking at what herbs either naturally or easily grow in your area. Research their various purposes. (Most herbs are good for just about everything it seems, ha!) Make your choices and try them out.
YHVH gave us these herbs for our service!
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man….
Psalm 104:14
My Minimalist Natural DIY Skin Care Routine
Here’s exactly my minimalist natural DIY skin care routine according to my research of “best practices” and what works for me.
As you will see, several steps are combined due to the wide ranging abilities of natural ingredients.
I will note that I do not wear makeup (and actually never have!), and so if you do wear makeup, I would likely do a double cleansing method first.
Also, although I indicate the “face” in this routine, I cover my ears, neck, and exposed areas of the collarbone area, as well!
Before beginning, I wash my hands and fingernails well.
- Cleanse: Cleanse face with water by splashing water on face.
- Tone & Exfoliate: While my face is still wet with water, squirt diluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton round & wipe face.
- Treat & Hydrate: While my face is still wet with apple cider vinegar, massage into skin plantain salve OR rose salve.
- Sun protection: Either apply mineral-based sunscreen or use a physical barrier, such as a hat, when outdoors.
Since learning of my vulnerability to skin cancer, in the summer months, I have been wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors (most of the time).
This winter, I will be making and testing a homemade sunscreen, which I would apply as a fourth step in this skin care routine. Since I have yet to do it, I am not including it in the recipes PDF.
Natural DIY Skin Care Recipes
I have found what works and is sustainable for me, and although YHVH has made us each unique, I share it in hopes it is helpful for you.
My skin care routine involves four recipes:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Plantain Skin Salve
- Infused Rose Olive Oil
- Infused Rose Oil Salve
Many blessings and shalom!
Raquel
Women Living Torah 
Thank you Raquel for sharing your routine. So many ladies get caught up in all the “must do’s”, but really we have been given everything we need. Keep it simple.
I am 6 yrs postmenopause, and undetectable estrogen….so I understand when you say dry skin.
Water! Drink loads, and I often add an electrolyte tab to one.
Since I use minimal makeup, but natural by Mineral Fusion, I only use a wee spot of foundation, eyeliner and mascara. Sometimes a rouge that comes in a stick (no powder).
I wash with water, always have my whole life. I use Castor oil on a qtip to remove the eyeliner that doesn’t wash off with water.
Then I use Roseoil by Life Flo. Even my age spots having disappeared using that. Love it.
Sometimes I use vitamin e oil on my face, not often. And sometimes I use Heritage Rose oil in the morning, not often though.
I have found I was getting milia and tried using castor oil on my face to make it go away. After months, I learned that it’s too heavy for aging skin. So I went back to water and rose oil. Gone.
I too have learned some moisture on the skin is necessary to lock in.
Estrogen is our moisturizer…poor thing left 6 yrs ago and I am left to figure out my path. (LOL).
Thank you again for sharing. I never thought of plantain before.
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Thank you so much for sharing your routine! I love that rose oil is one of your go-tos, also, and that you’re seeing success with it. 😊🩷
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