5 Simple Steps to Healthy-Looking Skin

So You Want to Achieve the Look of Healthy Skin?

Some of you might still be shaking in anger at the beauty industry after our dirty secrets post! For those of you who didn't read it, you might want to check it out for some extra motivation to start making your own products. 

This post comes by popular demand. Many of my readers already know that my path into essential oils actually started with difficulties with skin care. I had a heck of a time trying to manage dry and irritated skin due to harsh products and prescription medications to treat eczema and acne. Regardless of the potency (and dangers!) of these products, they still failed to create improvements in my skin. If anything, it might have made my skin worse and irritated it even more. Beyond that, who knows what I was doing to my endocrine system and my bodily function.

​Along my wellness journey I was introduced to longevity and epigenetics. Remember, phenotype = genotype + environment.

This is basically just a fancy way of saying that our DNA is only part of the equation in determining what traits we will observe being expressed. The other half of the equation is the environment. The exposure of your DNA to the environment is ultimately what determines what will be expressed and thereby what will be observed! This is the importance of knowing exactly what you put on or in your body!

How can you knowingly optimize your routine for health if you do not even know what the companies put in their products. Easy answer... you can't!

Until now. You can create your own products and one of the best ways to accomplish this is with essential oils. For those of you who are new to essential oils, please check out my mission and  this post.

Without further ado, here are the 5 steps to improving your skin care routine. Save this on Pinterest so you can find it again! 

Step 1 -Makeup Remover wipes

Step 2 - Face Wash 

Step 3 - Facial Toner 

Step 4 - Facial Serum 
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Step 5 - Facial Moisturizer  ​

​Step 1: Makeup Remover Wipes Recipe: 
To start the cleaning process I use these makeup pads in the evening. I love wearing my Savvy Mineral Makeup but these help remove my eye make up nicely so that nothing lingers after a good first wash. 

Here is what you need to make Bye Bye Makeup Wipes:  

• 4 oz. glass jar 
• 24 Cotton rounds or reusable 
• 1/4 Thayer’s Witch Hazel 
• 2 Tablespoons Jojoba Oil or Coconut Oil 
• 2 Tablespoons Distilled Water
• 2 Tablespoons Castile Soap (optional, I use a little splash of the soap) 
• 6 Total Drops of Essential Oils - I use essential oils such as: Lavender, Tea Tree, Geranium, Frankincense, and Purification 

Instructions:

First I stack cotton rounds into the 4 oz. glass jar and set aside. I would say I use about 24 cotton rounds which is about 3 weeks worth. In a separate mixing bowl, add desired essential oils and other liquid ingredients then swirl to blend together.
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Pour the mixture over the cotton rounds slowly in the glass jar. Please make sure you pour slowly, so many times I get impatient and pour too quickly making the mixture over flow the top of the jar because the cotton isn't absorbing the mixture. I hate when my essential oils spill, so just take your time and pour the mixture in the jar then press down on the cotton rounds and continue to pour again. Keep doing that until you notice the mixture is completely poured in the jar. Then I let it sit for a while before I use the wipes, I like to let the mixture soak into all the rounds in the jar for a night.

To store them properly, I would keep in a cool place and keep them sealed tight. I always try to use these before the 2-3 week mark just in case they start to dry out or seem less fresh.​ 
 
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Step 2: Face Wash 

The official first step of the cleaning process. There are a few great options for face wash which I will share with you here. I have used several of these and alternate them into my skin care routine, find what is best for you and your skin. It’s also nice to have options that because Young Living often has items that are out of stock due to sourcing, knowing that no matter what you have at your house you can make awesome products to support you skin. Here are some ideas for you to use in your skin care routine. 


Young Living's Orange Blossom Face Wash: 
I feel confident in recommending the Orange Blossom Face Wash because it was the product of my success story. Truthfully, it was the first face wash that wasn’t harsh on my sensitive face.

Benefits of Orange Blossom Face Wash:

• Helps maintain healthy-looking skin
• Leaves skin feeling clean and soft
• Removes dirt and oil from pores
• Reduces oily skin and surface oils
• Contains naturally cleansing essential oils
• Maintains skin’s natural moisture barrier
• Reviewed and tested by dermatologists
• Created with sensitive skin in mind
• Formulated without sulfates, parabens, synthetic dyes, or artificial ingredients 

Remember a little goes a long way. You can use this directly from the new dispenser bottle or dilute into a new foaming bottle.  In a 2 oz. foaming soap dispenser fill the bottom ¼ inch or ½ ounce with Orange Blossom Face Wash, then fill remaining portion of the container with water. 


Orange Blossom Charcoal Bar Soap 
Made with the powerful absorption properties of activated charcoal, Young Living’s Charcoal Bar Soap pulls out dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Its naturally derived formula includes powerful skin-cleaning agents, moisturizing ingredients, and the bright, fresh scent of our Orange Blossom essential oil blend. Use it for your body to cleanse and deodorize, or add it to your skin care routine. The unique benefits of charcoal soap make it an especially suitable face soap for combination, oily, or acne-prone skin to help maintain a clear, healthy-looking complexion.

Benefits of Orange Blossom Charcoal Bar Soap

• Formulated with skin-purifying activated charcoal and pure essential oils
• Leaves skin clean, soft, and smooth
• Made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, dyes, synthetic fragrances, or preservatives
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Cleanses excess oil from the skin to unclog pores

Young Living Base Soap:
Buying the Young Living Base Soap is a great alternative to castile soap. If you like to make DIY recipes and do things yourself, this base soap is a perfect natural, effective way to eliminate harsh soap ingredients found in traditional products. There are so many uses and you are able to add any essential oil to the recipe to truly support your body in ways that you need personally. 

To make your own face or body soap with Young Living Base Soap: 

• In a 2 oz. foaming soap dispenser fill the bottom with ¼ inch base soap
• Add 5-6 drops Essential Oils 
• Fill remaining with water

DIY Face Soap
If you only have your Premium Starter Kit and your ready to ditch the harmful ingredients, all you need is Doctor Bonner’s Castile Soap and your oils. You can get castile soap at any many local stores, I typically order everything from amazon. (Here's my amazon shopping list)

To make face soap or body soap with castile soap:

• In a 2 oz foaming soap dispenser fill the bottom  with ¼ inch castile soap. 
• Add 5- 6 drops of essential oils then fill the rest of the container with water

Satin Facial Scrub  
The Satin Facial Scrub is a water-based exfoliant that is really good for all skin types. It features jojoba oil, mango seed butter, MSM, aloe, peppermint essential oil, apricot seed powder, and raspberry fruit extract to minimize the appearance of pores and invigorate dull skin. The scrub has a fresh scent and invigorating feel of Peppermint Essential Oil.

Satin Mint Facial Scrub is unlike many exfoliating scrubs because it gently exfoliates skin cells with Jojoba Seed Oil, a carrier that is most similar to your skin sebum. I actually use jojoba oil in a lot of my skin care products, such as my makeup remover wipes because of this reason. The jojoba oil beads actually burst and they are perfectly spherical. Unfortunately, some scrubs you see on the market are not gentle and they might actually damage your skin. 

I like using the exfoliation once or twice a week and alternating it into my schedule. I avoid using this scrub every day because it could be too much exfoliation for my skin. I use this directly from the bottle, no need to make a new product here because only a small amount is needed to cover the entire face, remember a little goes along way.

Step 3: All Natural Facial Toner
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Each step of the skin care routine is important in a specific way, I find the toner to be one of the most interesting of all the steps. Washing obviously clears the external pollutants from the filter but a facial toner is probably the quickest step in the skin care routine that is often underutilized. I have learned that the facial toner is the final step of the washing and cleansing process for your skin. There are three important functions of facial toner.

The first function of using a toner it to help remove the last bit of things that were not removed from actually washing the face. These facial toners may also function to reestablish the proper balance of your skin.

Everyone has a natural skin pH where cells are happiest to function as a protective barrier. When you wash your face, the pH is actually temporarily interrupted. Normally skin will work hard to reestablish the pH on its' own. Allow us to give it as much support as it can handle! 

Lastly, we must consider the strength of our outer shell. The skin cells are built like a brick wall with intercellular junctions, called desmosomes that provide strong connection between cells. With all the cells and desmosomes, they create a strong defense. However, the skin is not impenetrable, therefore leading us back to the problem with traditional products and their potentially harmful ingredients.  

A toner is going to do just that - tone your skin!  After spraying the toner on my face I actually feel like it immediately tightens.

Here are some examples of DIY Toners:

DIY Rose Spray Toner :

• In a 2 oz. glass bottle with atomizer
• 1 oz. Thayer's Rose Infused Witch Hazel
• 1 oz.  Rose Hydrosol
• 5-6 drops of Essential Oils.

DIY Apple Cider Toner 

• In a 2 oz. spray bottle with atomizer 
• 1 oz. of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (or less if you do not want it as strong)
• 1 oz. of Thayer's Witch Hazel
• Add 5-6 drops of essential oils.  

Here are some ideas for which essential oils to add to your facial toner
I typically only use 6 drops total of maybe 2 different essential oils. When it comes to skin care, too much of a good thing can be problematic. You do not need to have more then 6 drops of essential oils in your toner.

• Lavender - Highly versatile; smells fresh, floral, clean, and calm
• Frankincense - May help smooth the appearance of healthy-looking skin
• Geranium - May help soothe and maintain the appearance of tender skin
• Manuka - Reduce the appearance of blemishes
• Helichrysum - Apply topically to improve the appearance of tender skin
• Gentle baby - Supports healthy complexion (use only in the evening due to photosensitivity in the sun, avoid in sunlight) 
• Tea Tree - May help reduce the appearance of blemishes

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Step 4: All Natural Facial Serum 

Hyaluronic Acid Serum:
There is no need to spend a lot of money on a facial serum once you have this recipe!

In 2017, I fell in love with this hyaluronic acid serum recipe because of how much support my skin received, not just my face but my upper chest and arms too. I apply this serum on my face with my fingertips. 

By making my own products, I have found that taking care of your doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Quality skin care products are actually affordable for all women to use, the way it should be.

I remember reaching an age when I was finally able to buy expensive “popular” products. Much to my dismay, I found that they actually made things worse! Because of Young Living, I love the fact that I can create quality, natural products that support my skin and are so affordable!

For the homemade serum, I only buy one 16 ounce container of hyaluronic acid powder from Amazon for less than $20. Those two supplies alone will last a long time. You will only need 1/8th teaspoon of the powder and water for your new serum!

​I’m still using my first container that I bought in 2017, that’s even after hosting skin care classes too.

I think what really makes this recipe so incredible for our skin care routine is actually understanding how hyaluronic acid functions in our skin cells.

Hyaluronic acid is something that's found in your body naturally so it’s something that our body will recognize. There are many cells in the body that will contain hyaluronic acid but largest amounts are cells found in skin, hair, eyes and connective tissues. Although, as we age the ability to produce hyaluronic acid will deteriorate over time, just another reason to use it in our skin care.

Youthful skin that is highly elastic contains much more hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid nourishes cells and collagen which are vital to healthy smooth skin.  Collagen is the structure and shape of the skin.

How does hyaluronic acid nourish the cells?
​The molecules in hyaluronic acid are known to be hydrophilic molecules meaning they are water loving and attracted to water. As hyaluronic acid penetrates your skin cells and it grabs onto over a thousand times its weight in water. It actually holds onto water like a vice inside your skin. When applying the hyaluronic acid serum, its pass through skin and holds on to all that moisture so less cells are fighting for moisture. The ability to bind to water and retain the moisture will actually plump up and rejuvenate skin cells. Think of it as bubble wrap that it goes into your skin, it plumps up skin cells and hold on to the water which ultimately will support with the aging process -things like fine lines, wrinkles, and healthy rejuvenation. With these qualities, and the fact that the molecular structure is so small, hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse of my skin care routine.

​Hyaluronic acid and essential oils have a very small molecular structure, which are similar to the structure of our own cells. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are similar to the structure of your own cells too. 

Your skin has multiple layers that have different functions. The topmost layers are the ones that exfoliate off the fastest. The layers that are down lower are constantly moving up as new healthy cells. Therefore it is important to support all layers of the integument, even the ones that aren't yet showing!

In theory, the higher the cellular turnover, the more regeneration will occur. If you are encouraging turnover and gentle exfoliation, you may find yourself with much healthier-looking skin. 

It might take a little bit of time to see overall results. In terms of dryness, I noticed a much quicker change when switching to this serum from a more conventional product.  Overall it takes about 28 days for deeper layer cells to move up to the outer layers for an adult. Children and babies actually turn over cells much quicker, about 14 days. 
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Hyaluronic acid serum is the powerhouse because it takes those ingredients and the small molecular structure drives it into our deepest layers of skin which is where the change is going to happen.

How to make your Hyaluronic Acid Serum: 

• You will use a 2 oz. glass dropper bottle for this recipe.
• First start out by using 2 oz. of ice cold water in a mason jar with a lid.
• Add ⅛ teaspoon of hyaluronic acid powder to the cold water by lightly sprinkle hyaluronic acid powder over ice cold water.
• Cover with lid and shake vigorously until the mixture is blended, although it may clump a little and that is ok.
• Pour the blend into glass dropper and add 5-6 drops total of essential oils. 

I use my most supportive essential oils for my skin in the hyaluronic acid serum, because I want these essential oils to get to the deepest layers of my skin. These are the essential oils I use most commonly. I use 5-6 drops total of one or more of the following:

• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Manuka 
• Sacred Frankincense
• Rose
• Geranium
• Helichrysum 
• Sandalwood and Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood

 


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Step 5 - All Natural Moisturizer
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I buy Young Living moisturizers to use as my final step of the skin care routine. Any of these moisturizers are well worth the investment because truly, a little goes a very long way with all Young Living products. I use less than a pea size amount to cover my entire face which make these products last for a long time. 

The last and final step to skin care routine is not meant to penetrate those deep layers like the serum. Moisturizer is actually supposed to sit on topmost layer of skin acting like a moisture locker.

You will specifically want to use moisturizer at night because it's going to prevent transepidermal water loss (this is why skin tends to get dehydrated at night).

When applying any cream or serum to your skin use your ring finger because it's your weakest finger.  Other fingers could tug at your skin and cause damage. By using your ring finger, the moisturizer will be applied gently. All you need is a little pea size dab on your ring finger, and then massage into face and neck. Massage throughout the face because you need to stimulate the circulation in your skin for all the good stuff to happen. 

# 1 - Boswellia Wrinkle Cream - contains pure essential oils like Frankincense and Sandalwood that moisturize the skin while minimizing shine and reducing the appearance of fine lines.

# 2- Orange Blossom Moisturizer - Treat your skin to a deep drink of hydration with Orange Blossom Moisturizer. Made to benefit oily skin, this moisturizer improves the appearance of skin without irritation from harsh chemicals. This moisturizer uses only naturally derived, plant-based ingredients that are noncomedogenic (does not clog pores) and vegan-friendly. Orange Blossom Moisturizer helps skin maintain optimal moisture balance, controls excess oil and shine, and preps your face for makeup with its natural-looking matte finish. Get clearer skin by pairing it with Orange Blossom Facial Wash. 

# 3 - Sandalwood Moisture Cream - Premium hydrating moisturizer infused with pure Young Living essential oils.

# 4 - Lavender Hand and Body Lotion - My favorite! Infused with Lavender essential oil and other plant-based ingredients, Lavender Hand & Body Lotion moisturizes and protects skin from overexposure for long-lasting hydration.

Feel free to even add your essential oils to a moisturizer of choice. Young Living even has several more! 
 
If you do not take care of your skin, it's abilities to remain elastic and functional will diminish over time. The collagen and elastin content will diminish naturally over time and the skin will begin to hang and wrinkles will begin to form.

Other Tips for Encouraging Healthy Skin Aging

• Exercise regularly, especially aerobic and cardiovascular exercise for circulatory benefits
• Proper diet high in whole foods and low in added sugars. Read some of my favorite books to learn more on healthy eating. 
• Adequate hydration - dehydration decrease the turgor of the skin (skin turgor is the ability of the skin to deform and then return back to its' normal shape)
• Avoid smoking - hopefully this one is self-explanatory
• Apply adequate sun protection. Before you do that however, please read this post on sunblock and vitamin D
• Avoid excessive and repeated tension on the skin, especially the face
• Try relaxing your face and taking time for mindfulness, use grounding essential oil! 
• Gently, and I mean gently, exfoliate the skin regularly (remember my tip about using your ring finger to moisturize, perhaps exfoliate this way too)

There you have it! Our five simple steps to healthier looking skin. 

​Related Essentially Well Blog Posts

• How Young Living Essential Oils Changed Our Lives!
• Everything You Need to Know about Lavender Essential Oil​​​
• Top 5 Recipes to Transform Your Home
• My Mission 

​Next Steps . . .Please consider commenting on the blog in an effort to crowd-source our community essential oil experience! We would love to hear more about how you use essential oils! Follow on social to learn more about discovering a wellness lifestyle and DIY recipes. Finally, shop with me through my Amazon Recommendation list to switch to better ingredients. 

If you are new to essential oils and do not have any of your own, consider a premium starter kit from Young Living. This is widely regarded as the simplest way to get started with essential oils. When signing up for your first bundle, you will have the opportunity to choose one of our leaders. This is an important step as they will provide you with ongoing support for the lifetime of your Young Living journey at no added cost to you​! You can do this simply by visiting the our team page and selecting the individual you would like as your direct leader. If you haven't gotten to it already, please subscribe below for the latest updates, offers, and promotions exclusive to our essential oil community!

As always, I hope you enjoy the content. Please reach out if you need help getting essential oils into your home or learning how to take small steps toward a cleaner lifestyle. Thank you for all of your support. Enjoy...

-The Oil Sister ​

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Please see our disclaimer.