Before you get started: What You’ll Need

• 1 teaspoon cane sugar or brown sugar – Sugar is the perfect natural scrub texture for lips, dry hands, or body scrub. Brown sugar is super soft, perfect for sensitive skin, and easier to apply as a scrub. Cane sugar is coarser (than brown sugar) and is fantastic for exfoliation. 
• 1/4 teaspoon honey – Honey is a natural nourishing agent that hydrates the skin and exfoliates. Honey contains antioxidants and natural healing properties and may help repair chapped lips and stressed-out skin (source). I also use honey to make a soothing lip balm. 
• 1/4 teaspoon carrier oil – Oil is used as a moisturizing and main ingredient to make the product scrubbable. Use organic coconut oil (in the cooking section), jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil. 

Optional Extras for Flavoring

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 2 drops pure vanilla extract
• 1 drop peppermint or lavender essential oil

How to make a DIY Lip Scrub Recipe

• Step 1 Combine Ingredients – Stir the sugar, honey, oil, and desired flavorings in a small bowl. At first, it’ll seem like there’s not enough moisture to get everything to combine, but keep mashing—you’ll end up with a thick paste. If you’re using coconut oil, melt it first in the microwave so it’s liquid. 
• Step 2 Apply on Lips or Store – The scrub is ready to use as soon it’s made. Use it immediately (my recipe makes enough for 1 application). Or triple the recipe and spoon into an airtight container. Store at room temperature and use once a week. 

How to Use This Natural Lip Scrub for Soft Lips 

Now that you have a homemade lip scrub, it’s time to use it. Here’s how to use this lip exfoliator to create the healthiest, softest lips.

• Step 1 Spoon on Fingers – Take a small amount of the scrub onto your finger. While leaning over a sink (to catch the fall out), massage the sugary mixture into your lips, buffing off any dry skin.
• Step 2 Rinse – Once your lips feel sufficiently scrubbed, rinse away the scrub remnants with some warm water. 
• Step 3 Moisturize – Follow up with some lip balm (like this shea butter lip balm, easy-to-customize lip balm, honey lip balm, or lanolin lip balm) and enjoy your freshly polished lips!

What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t Over Exfoliate – While this recipe is popular during the cooler months, you may also use it in the warmer months. Just be careful not to overuse it. 1-2 times a week is a great way to keep lips healthy and smooth.
• Don’t Use Coarse Sugar – Choose a soft sugar, like granulated sugar, brown sugar, or cane sugar. Do NOT use coarse sugar granules like Sugar in the Raw or coconut sugar.
• Don’t Use on Broken Skin – If your lips are severely chapped with broken skin, don’t use this easy recipe. This will only cause pain and can cause more damage to your dry lips. Allow your lips to heal before using sugar scrubs or any exfoliator. 

Print

Exfoliating DIY Homemade Lip Scrub

This delightful lip scrub combines two simple ingredients to make an exfoliating scrub for soft, hydrated lips.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword diy exfoliating lip scrub, exfoliating lip scrub homemade, lip scrub recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 1 tablespoon (double or triple recipe if desired)

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $1

Equipment

• 1 small bowl for mixing the scrub
• 1 small airtight container only if storing for later

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar or brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil or olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon honey

Extra Flavor Ideas

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 2 drops pure vanilla extract
• 1 drop essential oil such as: peppermint or lavender essential oil

Instructions

• Combine Ingredients – Stir the sugar, honey, oil, and any flavorings desired in a small bowl. At first it'll seem like there's not enough moisture to get everything to combine, but keep mashing—you'll end up with a thick paste. If you're using coconut oil, melt it first in the microwave so it's liquid. 
• Apply on Lips or Store – The scrub is ready to use as soon it's made. Use it immeadiately (my recipe makes enough for 1 application). Or triple the recipe and spoon into an airtight container. Store at room temperature and use once a week. The recipe will keep for up to 3 months.

How to Use:

• Take a small amount of the scrub onto your finger. While leaning over a sink (to catch the fall out), massage the sugary mixture into your lips, buffing off any dry skin. Once your lips feel sufficiently scrubbed, rinse away the scrub remnants with some warm water. 
• Follow up with some lip balm (like this shea butter lip balm, easy-to-customize lip balm, honey lip balm, or lanolin lip balm) and enjoy your freshly polished lips.

Notes

Sugar Note: Choose a soft sugar, like granulated sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar. Do NOT use a coarse sugar granules like Sugar in the Raw or coconut sugar.

This recipe makes enough for a one-time use. You may also double or triple the recipe and store in a container for up to 3 months if desired. 

More Recipes for Moisturized Skin & Lips

• Shea Butter Lip Balm
• Easy to Customize Lip Balm
• Lanolin Lip Balm
• Honey Lip Balm
• Best Natural Face Moisturizers

More Skincare Recipes

SEE ALL

Exfoliating Homemade Lip Scrub Recipe (2 Ingredients)

Moisturizing Lanolin Lip Balm Recipe

DIY honey lip balm Recipe (Just 4 Ingredients)

DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (For Everyone)

13 Best Non Toxic Shampoo & Conditioners (All Hair Types)

DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

The post Exfoliating Homemade Lip Scrub Recipe (2 Ingredients) appeared first on Live Simply.

No matter your age, this list is for everyone. Everyone should be thinking about protecting their skin during the summer months when the sun is extra intense. The following “essentials” are tried-and-true favorites that I have spent my hard-earned money on. I suggest these products because they work well for me. I’ve found these products through lots of trial and error and also suggestions from my esthetician (if you’re local I go to Beauty Bungalow–Denise is amazing and has helped my skin tremendously over the years) and other skincare professionals.

8 Natural Skincare Essentials for Summer

1. Whole Body SPF by Suntegrity 

I live in Florida, which means the sun is particularly intense here (scorching). When we’re out and about for long hours, on a walk, doing yard work, or at beach or park, I always use this sunscreen stick. It’s the perfect travel size for my bag and easy to apply throughout the day. This particular brand is non-toxic and rates incredibly well with the Environmental Working Group who puts out a non-toxic sunscreen guide each year. (Check out the other sunscreen options I like in this post.)

2. Tinted Sunscreen from W3LL People 

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall: it doesn’t matter the season, this is my go-to daily makeup/sunscreen. A few years ago, my favorite esthetician, Denise, told me, “The best thing you can do to prevent premature aging of the skin is to wear sunscreen. It’s a must, an essential!” Ever since, I’ve been diligently wearing this sunscreen on my face every single day. I love that this sunscreen is tinted and feels thick like a foundation but doesn’t feel thick once on the face. I don’t wear any other makeup with this, except a translucent setting powder, a bronzer, and some blush on days when I want more of a “finished look.” (Check out my natural makeup favorites in this post.) Fair warning, this stuff tends to run pretty dark and orange. I use the lightest shade, even during the summer (I tend to have a lighter **read pale** skin tone. It’s the Swedish coming out).

3. Hats from Tula

I’ve become a summer hat girl. Not only does a good hat add great style to a summer outfit and covers up my 5-day old hair (I do eventually get around to washing it with my favorite non-toxic shampoo and conditioner), it also protects my face from the sun. I found this brand of hats from a farmer’s market vendor last year and I’m obsessed. The hats are great quality, are stiff and easy to clean, and have an SPF 50 rating.

4. Natural Deodorant

No one can live without deodorant during the summer. Deodorant should do two things: allow the body to sweat and keep icky odors at bay. If deodorant doesn’t allow your body to sweat (a very important detox path for the body–I recorded a whole episode on detoxing here), it’s time to ditch what you’re currently using and embrace the sweat without the funky odors. I love and use Schmidt brand (I like lavender), it works best for me and is easy to find. Piper, my 11 year-old, is getting near the deodorant phase and he’ll be using the same brand. I wrote a whole post on the best non-toxic deodorant options here. During the summer, you’ll probably need to reapply natural deodorant a couple of times to keep things fresh. It’s just part of the natural route. Embrace the sweat and reapplication this summer, your body will thank you!

5. Masks for Summer Breakouts

Sweating can equal in an increase in breakouts but so can harsh cleaners and exfoliators that strip the skin and disturb the skin’s natural microbiome and barrier function. I love this exfoliator/mask from Josh Rosebrook and this algae mask from OSEA (I have a coupon code for OSEA, live simply takes $10 off $90. I am obsessed with their face cleanser as well which I share about below.). If you want to go the DIY mask route, a simple betonite clay mask or yogurt mask are perfect for a summer skincare routine. I mask once a week during the summer months. I find this works best for my skin and keeps breakouts away and my pores clear.

6. Laurel Sun Serum for a Daily Moisturizer 

A few years ago, I switched from using lotion to an oil for my daily moisturizer, and I’m obsessed. My skin loves the richness of the oils and no, oil doesn’t make you breakout (well, some oils will make you breakout, like coconut oil, so this is why it’s important to use quality, nourishing oils that won’t make your skin breakout). I love True Botanicals True Radiance Oil and Laurel Skin. I use Laurel mostly these days and during the summer exclusively use Laurel’s Sun Serum as my daily morning and evening moisturizer as it “addresses the symptoms of overexposure to the sun.” All of Laurel’s skin oils are amazing. Just a couple of drops is all you need so one bottle will last all summer long.

7. Homemade After Sun Spray

There’s definitely a theme going here: the sun is not your skin’s BFF. The sun is amazing and has so many benefits but spending time in the sun can also lead to some unwanted skin situations both right now and in the long-term. When we’ve been in the sun too much, whether from a lack of sunscreen or forgetting to apply a sunscreen a few times in the day (after a long day at the beach), this homemade after-sun spray is soothing and takes away the sting of red skin.

8. OSEA Ocean Cleanser (or a good natural cleanser)

Wash your face daily during the summer, before heading to bed. We all need to be doing this all year long, but particularly during the summer when we spend more time outdoors in the heat and tend to sweat with makeup or sunscreen. I love this ocean cleanser from OSEA (pair this with the algae mask above and my coupon code live simply takes $10 off $90), it’s hands down the BEST face cleanser out there. It gently exfoliates and cleanses, without stripping the skin. The seaweed in the formula provides essential hydration for “clear, radiant skin.” If you want to go the homemade route, try this honey cleanser. And I share more natural cleanser options in this post.

What are you go-to summer skincare essentials?

The post 8 Natural Skincare Essentials for Summer appeared first on Live Simply.

Here, at Live Simply, we focus on wellness from a natural approach. Part of this focus is what we put on and in our body.

When it comes to skincare products, which make up a large part of what we put on our skin, we focus on using products that are not only made with proven-to-be-safe ingredients but also ingredients that nourish and give to the skin.

If you’ve explored the world of clean, green, natural products–whatever the current buzz word is today for these products–then you probably know that many of these products are not exactly cheap or inexpensive. This is understandable as these products are made with ingredients that can be expensive to source and most products aren’t cut with filler ingredients like so many of the products on the market today.

Going the DIY route is many times more cost effective. However, sometimes this isn’t possible or you may just love the results of a particular product from a trusted skincare brand. I’ve found the best solution is to find balance between making some products and purposely splurging on products you absolutely LOVE and just can’t mimic at home.

For me, my splurges are on facial oils (True Botanicals, Laurel, and Blissoma are my favorite brands for this), face cleanser (OSEA is my favorite), and serums for specific skincare needs (for example I love the Intensive Repair Serum from Marie Veronique).

When it comes to DIYing, I save money by making most of my facial masks at home. I’ve found this is an easy way to save a few dollars and also play around with skincare ingredients. Today’s yogurt mask is one of my favorites to make.

Yogurt face mask benefits

I originally learned about using yogurt as a face mask from one of my favorite skincare brands, Marie Veronique. Marie is a chemist and an OG (original) in the green beauty world. She knows her stuff and her products are AMAZING!

Marie and Kristina Holey (her business partner) are big into education, particularly education about the microbiome of the skin and how to care for the skin in a way that nourishes and protects the ecosystem of the skin. Everything I’ve learned about yogurt masking comes from Marie.

Benefits of using yogurt on the skin…

• provides fatty acids, beneficial bacteria, and vitamins and minerals which can soften the skin and provide a glowy, rejuvenated appearance
• provides zinc to cool and calm the skin
• works as an anti-inflammatory which can be beneficial for the beginning stages of a breakout
• provides a very small amount of lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) which can provide a very small amount of exfoliation (dissolving dead skin cells)
• while the lactic acid can provide a small amount of exfoliation, its biggest benefit is providing nutrients to help balance and stabilize the skin

Which yogurt is best for face masks?

The best yogurt to use for a face mask is full fat, plain, and organic. Also, make sure the yogurt contains active live cultures (this should be stated on the ingredient list), particularly strains of lactic acid bacteria or Bifidobacterium. Goat’s milk yogurt does contain more benefit, but I personally don’t purchase goat’s milk yogurt so I stick to cow’s milk yogurt.

An alternative is kefir (which is much thinner, more of a drinkable yogurt). I use kefir to make smoothies, yogurt tubes for the kids, and ranch dip.

If you are truly allergic to dairy, then it’s best to avoid dairy on your skin. In this case, choose a plain plant-based yogurt that contains active live cultures. You won’t get the full benefit like you would with a cow or goat’s milk yogurt, but there will still be some benefit due to the bacteria in the yogurt itself.

Yogurt mask tips and tricks

To apply a yogurt mask…

First, spoon 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt from the container into a small bowl. At this point, you can use the yogurt as-is for a face mask or mix it with an add-in that we’ll talk about in the next section.

Next, use your fingertips (or a mask brush) to apply a small amount of yogurt to the face, continuing to work until the face (and neck, if preferred) are covered. The mask should feel refreshing since the yogurt is cold–another benefit! Allow the mask to rest on your face for 20 minutes.

Finally, rinse the yogurt from the face using a warm, damp washcloth.

After using the yogurt mask, apply toner and your favorite moisturizer. The yogurt mask may be applied 1-2 times a week.

Yogurt mask customizations

You can use yogurt as-is for a face mask or you can mix it with other add-ins depending on the benefit you’re looking for. This is a great way to experiment with a DIY face mask. Here are a few suggestions that you can add to the yogurt before applying on the face. You can add one mix-in or multiple options together.

• Honey: Add a teaspoon of honey to the yogurt. Honey is particularly hydrating for dry skin.
• Cacao or cocoa powder: Add 1-2 teaspoons of cacao or cocoa powder for the antioxidant benefits.
• Lavender: Add a drop of lavender essential oil to soothe and calm the skin.
• Aloe vera gel: Add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera (fresh or I love this brand if you’re going with a preserved aloe) to soothe and calm the skin.
• Spirulina: Add 1/2 teaspoon of this edible bacteria that is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals.
• Turmeric: Add 1/2 teaspoon of this anti-inflammatory spice to help calm inflammation.

While all of these variations may be used as a face mask, when mixed with the yogurt base, the honey and turmeric mixtures also make for a great acne spot treatment.

More DIY skincare recipes

• Honey and Sugar Body Scrub: A hydrating and exfoliating body scrub.
• Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser: An affordable DIY face cleanser. Great for most skin-types.
• Homemade Eye Masks: Calm and soothe puffy, tired eyes with cucumber and mint.
• Winter Minty Mocha Mask: A chocolate yogurt mask with a cooling peppermint tingle.

Print

DIY Yogurt Mask

A nutrient-rich face mask made with bacteria-rich plain yogurt. Use the yogurt as-is or mix the yogurt with your choice of add-ins to make a custom face mask.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 face mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1-2 TB plain whole milk yogurt choose organic, if possible, and yogurt with active live cultures, particularly strains of lactic acid bacteria or Bifidobacterium (will be listed on the ingredient list)

Optional Add-Ins (choose one or multiple):

• 1 tsp honey hydrating
• 1/2-1 tsp cacao or cocoa powder antioxidant-rich
• 1 drop lavender essential oil calming and soothing
• 1 tsp aloe vera gel calming and soothing
• 1/2 tsp spirulina powder antioxidant and mineral-rich
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric anti-inflammatory (will stain, so be cautious with towels and garments)

Instructions

• Add the yogurt to a small bowl.
• Stir in any additional add-in desired (from the list above), or just use the yogurt as a face mask.
• Use your fingertips to apply the yogurt on the face (and neck, if desired). The yogurt should instantly feel cool and refreshing on the skin as it will be cold.
• Let the yogurt rest on the face for 20 minutes.
• Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently remove the yogurt mask.
• Apply your favorite toner (I love rosewater from CocoKind) and moisturizer (True Botanicals or Blissoma facial oils are my favorite).
• The yogurt mask may be applied 1-2 times a week. 

The post DIY Yogurt Face Mask: Rejuvenating & Anti-Inflammatory appeared first on Live Simply.

Well, that’s alarming.

There are 80,000 chemicals on the market today, but many of these chemicals don’t have any safety data to back them up. This is particularly an issue in the skincare, beauty, and cleaning industry.

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body.

For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list of products.

Most of us are fooled into believing (thanks to marketing and imagery) that the rose fragrance found in our favorite facial cream is derived from roses grown on a picturesque farm in France. But that’s not the case…

This ingredient can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which are believed to disrupt hormones, cause reproductive health issues, be carcinogenic, and may be linked to asthma.

Since fragrance is a “trade secret,”companies are not required to list the ingredients used to make their formulations. (See an example here.)

Fragrance is just one example of the questionable ingredients used to make skincare and beauty products. The very products marketed to us as “safe.”

How to Make The Switch to Non-Toxic and Natural Skincare Products

Now that we’ve talked about the sneaky side of the beauty/body industry, let’s focus our attention on changes we can make.

While it would be great to see change in the regulation of beauty products, and we can certainly advocate for such changes, that change isn’t here just yet.

So let’s focus on the steps we can take right now that make a direct impact on the products we use on our skin and in our home.

There are two ways to go about this…

Make your own products (there are many recipes here on the blog and even more in my body book)

Buy products from transparent companies doing things differently (or as they should be doing)

What You Need to Know About the Natural Beauty Industry

First, cost…

The prices on most non-toxic skincare brands and products that are made with safe-for-you-ingredients aren’t going to be the cheapest. The do-it-yourself route can be more affordable, but DIYing isn’t an option for everything, particularly when talking about hair products or SPF face products.

Second, the term “clean beauty” or “non-toxic skincare” has zero regulation behind it…

Just about any company can claim to be “clean” or “green” or “natural.”

The EWG and Think Dirty can be helpful resources when looking at specific products and ingredients. I’ve also found that it’s helpful to get to know companies (ask questions, ask for full disclosure of ingredients and why ingredients are used) and continually support the ones that are 100% transparent. (Check out this post for an example of a correspondence I had recently with a company that claims to be “natural” and “clean” but isn’t transparent–a big warning sign!)

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Products and Brands

The following list is what I consider at the moment (as there are always new companies emerging or companies I don’t know about yet) to be the best of the best in the green beauty industry for skincare products. If you love a brand that’s not featured on this list, please leave a comment and share.

You don’t need to swap out all of your skincare products at once. The key to sustainable change is baby steps. And you don’t need to make the switch to one of my favorite non-toxic skincare brands. I’m simply sharing this list to provide a place to start, a list of brands that I personally love and buy from.

NATURAL EVERYTHING BODY

• Dr. Bronner’s: Bar and liquid body soap and toothpaste
• Plant Apothecary: A variety of body wash scents
• Schmidts: My favorite deodorant brand. Check out all the brands I’ve tried and enjoyed over the years, here.
• All Good: Body Lotion and sunscreen
• OSEA: Body oil (a great alternative to lotion)
• True Botanicals: Body oil (a great alternative to lotion)
• Suntegrity: Sunscreen for the face and body. I like the stick version which I keep in my purse for running/walking. Check out other great sunscreen options, here.
• David’s: My favorite toothpaste. The closest thing to Crest that I can find. Check out more toothpaste options, here.
• Aila: The best nail polish.

NATURAL FACE SKINCARE

• Marie Veronique: I was introduced to this brand to help calm hormonal acne. Marie is an OG in the green beauty world (before it was cool) and an amazing chemist. My favorite products are the Pre + Probiotic Daily Mist (use as a toner), Intensive Repair Serum (great for hormonal acne), and facial cleanser.
• True Botanicals: Great for aging and acne-prone skin. Just an all-around fantastic skincare line. I love the True Radiance Oil for a facial moisturizer.
• Blissoma: This is a company I was recently introduced to thanks to my holistic esthetician. I love the Rejuvenating Gel Cleanser and Makeup Remover,  Flawless Clear Condition Facial Oil and Sensitive Care Moisturizer for a moisturizer, Smooth A Correcting Serum for acne prone skin and calming breakouts (apply before a moisturizer), and the exfoliators.
• OSEA: The Ocean Cleanser is my favorite cleanser of all time. This company makes all-around fantastic skincare products. Use coupon code livesimply to take 10% off an order of $90+.
• CocoKind: I love this brand’s toners (applied after a facial cleanser and before a moisturizer). I use the Raspberry Vinegar Toner. The Rosewater Toner is also fantastic.
• Laurel: Fantastic facial oils (to use a moisturizer)
• Osmia: Blemish oil for spot treatment and face cream.
• Leahlani: Amazing face masks and exfoliators, serums, and facial oils.
• Josh Rosebrook: I love the Cacao Antioxidant Face mask and Daily Acid Toner. Everything Josh makes is amazing.
• Evan Healy: An herbal line of natural skincare found at Whole Foods and on Amazon. I love the shea butter moisturizer (a great night moisturizer), face cleanser, and hydrosols (for toner).

NATURAL MAKEUP 

• Josh Rosebrook: Makes a great tinted SPF moisturizer.
• ILIA: My favorite foundation when I want something for going out: true skin foundation and the best tinted moisturizer. I also like the brow gel and mascara.
• Alima Pure: foundation setting powder to go over foundation
• W3LL People: My favorite all-around makeup company that’s affordable and functional. I use the setting powder, bronzer powder, brow gel, and concealer. Their mascara is also fantastic. This is my daily go-to makeup.
• Kosas: I love the tinted facial oil as a foundation. Light and breathable coverage.
• Honest Beauty: I love the cream blush from this brand. They also make the best mascara. And kudos points for affordability and being easy to find (Target, etc.)
• BeautyCounter: Okay, I’ll be honest. I’m not a huge fan of this brand (and yes, I’ve tried many of their products and even signed up to be a rep with them when they first got started). That said, I do think they have the best eye shadow on the market.

The post The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands appeared first on Live Simply.

I’ve become obsessed with clean, natural, green–whatever you want to call it–beauty products over the past few years. When I refer to “clean” beauty (a term that is popular right now), I’m referring to products made with ingredients that are proven to be safe and effective, whether natural or synthetic . And most importantly, products that are made with ingredients that nourish and benefit the skin.

The term “clean beauty” has zero regulation behind it, so just about any company can claim to be “clean” or “green” or “natural.” It’s up to us, as consumers, to do our homework and not just take this marketing word at face value. The EWG and Think Dirty can be helpful resources when looking at specific products and ingredients. I’ve also found that it’s helpful to get to know companies (ask questions, ask for full disclosure of ingredients and why ingredients are used) and continually support the ones that are 100% transparent. (Check out this post for an example of a correspondence I had recently with a company that claims to be “natural” and “clean” but isn’t transparent–a big warning sign!)

Over the past year, I’ve experimented with a number of “clean beauty” products. I’ve purchased every single product, too, for my own use. These products weren’t gifts from companies or trades for shout-outs or sponsored posts. Just like I demand transparency from beauty companies, I think it’s also important that I’m 100% transparent with you.

Today, let’s talk about the best clean beauty products from 2019. Keep in mind, many of these products have been around for a few years, so these weren’t necessarily new in 2019. These are just the products that I particularly loved in 2019.

Since beauty is a broad category, I’ve divided our chat into two separate categories: skincare and makeup. If you want to talk about hair-care products, head over to this post.

My morning skincare routine…

is quick, simple, and to the point (about 5 minutes). I rinse my face with water (no cleanser needed in the morning), spritz toner, and apply moisturizer. If I wake up early enough, I may apply a mask in the morning, too. This generally happens once or twice a week.

My evening routine…

has more steps/products than the morning routine. In the evening, before bed, I wash my face with a cleanser to remove dirt and makeup and debris from the day, spritz toner, use a serum, and then moisturize.

There can be a bit of price shock with some of these products (okay, most), but here’s the thing. Because these products are so incredibly potent and powerful (we’re not talking about products that consist of mostly water and filler ingredients), a little bit goes a long way. For example, a facial oil can last me 3-4 months since only a few drops are needed. A face mask might last me an entire year.

Facial Cleansers

• OSEA Facial Cleanser: Still my favorite facial cleanser of all time! Gentle and effective and made with lactic acid for a light, daily exfoliation.

Toners 

• Marie Veronique Balancing HypoTonic: I have a hard time spending a lot of money on a toner, so when I do, it better work! According to Marie Veronique (which I 100% agree with because I’ve seen these results with my own skin), “the tonic not only promotes liquid/lipid balances, it also restores and improves overall barrier function.”
• Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator: Josh Rosebrook is all about hydration and this product definitely reflects that. This year, I switched between the HypoTonic toner (above) and this product. I would love to use both simultaneously, but, alas, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Serums

• Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum: This serum was originally recommended to me a couple of years ago from an esthetician. I was frustrated by hormonal breakouts and was looking for a product that would help fight against the flare-ups. This product has done just that! I only use this product twice a week. It keeps my pores free from congestion and reduces hormonal breakout occurrences. <–I’m still working on the stress component of hormonal breakouts.
• Josh Rosebrook Hydration Boost Concentrate: This is the best hyaluronic acid serum I’ve tried so far! It’s not sticky (as most are) and a little bit goes a long way! It leaves my skin plump and hydrated, which is important as the skin ages (I just turned 35). I’ve been using this daily after a toner and before applying moisturizer.

Moisturizers

• Marie Veronique Protective Day Oil: I just recently started using this day oil as my morning moisturizer. I’m in love! This oil delivers fatty acids to build and maintain healthy skin on top of UV protection. It’s not greasy so you can wear makeup right after application.
• Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil: This is the companion to the day oil mentioned above. I use this oil at night as the moisturizer step in my routine. Again, I’m in love! This oil is “excellent for repairing and replenishing barrier function to dehydrated skin.” I have acne-prone, oily skin and learned a couple of years ago that my skin was over-producing oil because it was so dry! Using oil on my skin, as a moisturizer, has completely transformed my skin health.
• True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil: This is the first oil I ever used on my skin. This is the product that originally converted me over to using oil as a moisturizer. I love this oil and continue to recommend it even though I’m not currently using it (currently using Marie Veronique above).
• Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream: This is a very new purchase for me. I’ve started to use this at night, occasionally, for extra hydration after using the Rejuvenating Night Oil. It’s the first cream moisturizer that I’ve really enjoyed. If you want to try this product and the hyaluronic serum and the toner, I recommend this set (it’s a deal!).

Exfoliators

• Josh Rosebrook Enzyme Exfoliator: “Potent fruit, honey, and herbal enzymes and acids gently slough away dead skin cells…” I use this weekly as both a mask and exfoliator all in one. Exfoliation is important for skin health, but it’s also important not to over-exfoliate or damage the skin in the process. This exfoliator is gentle but also effective.
• Leahlani Honey Love: I ran out of this product mid-year and haven’t purchased a new jar because I’ve been using the Enzyme Exfoliator (above), but once that runs out I’ll rotate back to the Honey Love. I keep my basic skincare the same and love to switch things up by rotating exfoliators and masks from my favorite companies.

Masks 

• MAHALO The Petal Hydrating Mask: My favorite mask of 2019! I bought this mask during a Follain sale because (without a sale) it’s EXPENSIVE! I’m obsessed with this mask. It contains clay and hyaluronic acid and the most pleasant rose scent. It literally leaves my skin with a glow.
• May Lindstrom The Problem Solver: I purchased this product at the beginning of 2019 (again, on sale because it’s expensive). I’ve heard so much about this mask and had to try it. At first, I was seriously disappointed. My skin broke out and I went to Instagram Story to, essentially, complain. But since I spent so much on this mask, and the jar is huge, I kept trying. Since this is a powder that you mix with a liquid, I decided to mix it up with yogurt. That was the answer! Now, I’m in love with this mask (when the dry powder is mixed with yogurt), and just ran out this morning (insert sad face). It’s a great mask for “solving problems,” particularly breakouts and clearing out the skin when pores feel “backed up.”
• Homemade Spirulina Mask: This is a homemade mask (insert budget-friendly high five) that is incredibly easy to make: just honey and spirulina powder. The other recommendations are definitely on the high end of masks, but this mask delivers results without costing a fortune.

Josh Rosebrook Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer: I’ve been using W3LL People Tinted SPF Moisturizer for a couple years and in 2019 switched over to Josh Rosebrook Tinted SPF Moisturizer. Both are lovely, but I really love the lightweight formula from Josh. I don’t need much coverage these days from a foundation (thankful for the improvement in my skin’s health over the past few years) so this lightweight formula is perfect for every day use.

Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation (in SF2): When I want more coverage for an evening out, this is my go-to foundation. It’s literally a skincare product and foundation in one. Since I only use it occasionally, one bottle has lasted me an entire year!

W3LL People Bio Correct Muti-Action Concealer (in Light): If I need some cover up, whether under my eyes or a blemish, this is my go-to concealer to use on top of foundation (either Josh or Ilia).

W3LL People Bio Brightener Invisible Powder: This is a setting powder that I use on top of my foundation (either option above). It takes away shine and sets the foundation (so it lasts all day) without looking cakey, overdone, or dry.

FitGlow Eye Bright: I love using this stuff under my eyes. It brightens dark circles (hello, mom life) and makes me look more awake and alert.

Honest Beauty Cream Blush (in Rose Pink): My favorite blush and it’s incredibly budget-friendly! I purchase this blush from Target (which has an expanded clean beauty section).

BeautyCounter Eyeshadow (in classic): Okay, I’m not a huge fan of BeautyCounter. Please don’t send all the reps after me. I’ve tried a number of BeautyCounter products and I’m just not impressed. Plus, they aren’t the cleanest green beauty company out there. The reason we’re hearing so much about BeautyCounter these days is because people are motivated by selling, selling, selling ($$$)–it’s an MLM model company. That said, I really love their eyeshadow palettes because the formulas last all day, which is hard to find in the clean beauty world.

Ilia Brow Gel: This gel is a finicky product. It tends to flake if I apply it too heavily, but other than that I really love this product. I just brush out my brows with an extra eyebrow brush after applying to keep the gel from flaking later in the day. I also tried BeautyCounter’s brow gel this year and found it dried out quickly and didn’t last long. I haven’t had these issues with Ilia, so that’s another reason why I love it.

Ilia Colorblock High Impact Lipstick (in Amberlight): If I’m going to wear lipstick, it’s going to be Ilia. This product hydrates and provides long-lasting coverage (in terms of a clean beauty product).

The post Best Clean Beauty Products appeared first on Live Simply.

Today, I’m going to share one of my favorite homemade face masks. It’s made with just two kitchen ingredients (spirulina and honey). Think of this face mask as a nutrient-rich green smoothie for the skin.

In my late 20 years, after having two babies and starting this blog (a time of tremendous stress on my body, some being natural stress and some self-induced stress), my hormones went crazy. Crazy as in everything was out of balance and my stress levels were through the roof (not sleeping much and working way too hard on a passion project while also nursing a baby and raising a toddler will do that).

All of this brought about adult acne, weight gain, and constant fatigue. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been learning how to take care of myself, starting with prioritizing sleep and learning to say no to doing “all the things.” As my body has healed, my skin has healed as well.

This is where my deep love for skincare products comes from. Over the past few years, I’ve made the switch to non-toxic products. At first, this switch was all about using safer ingredients, but, now, it’s about so much more.

I’ve come to love non-toxic skincare products because of how they’ve transformed my skin. Most of these products are rich in botanical ingredients that are active and potent, and, when used on the skin, they nourish and give to the skin which results in healthy and happy skin.

One of the products I’ve been obsessed with recently is the Mermaid Mask from Leahlani Skincare.

First, Leah’s products are amazing! I use her Ambrosia Elixir as a makeup primer (under my foundation) and love her HoneyLove Exfoliator. Her products are made with potent ingredients that give to and nourish the skin.

The Mermaid Mask is a rich green facial mask made with spirulina. It’s literally like a green smoothie for your face!

A few months ago, I ran out of the Mermaid Mask and, at the same time, was on a spending freeze. Darn budget goals! Since I couldn’t just hop on the internet and order another jar of the Mermaid Mask, I decided to go to my kitchen cabinet and see what I could make at home.

With some spirulina powder and raw honey, I whisked together a quick face mask. This simple mask felt luxurious and after 10 minutes it also proved to be effective. The end result was a kind of glow that comes about after feeding your skin with nutrient-rich ingredients. In this case, those ingredients were spirulina and honey.

Before sharing this incredibly simple “glow mask,” let’s talk about the ingredients and why they work.

Honey is a wonderful food to apply to the skin because it’s rich in antioxidants as well as antibacterial and hydration properties. This in turns leaves the skin nourished, hydrated, and glowing. It’s also super gentle so it doesn’t strip the skin.

Honey is particularly great for acne-prone, dry, and aging skin.

When it comes to using honey on the skin, I recommend going with raw honey. This kind of honey is going to be the best choice as it hasn’t been heated so its full of beneficial properties.

Beyond using spirulina on the skin, you can also add it to smoothies as it is edible and a great source of nutrients. You can find spirulina online and in most health food stores (look in the supplement or bulk spice section).

To make the mask, simply add honey and spirulina to a small bowl, then stir. You can use your finger or a small spoon. It’s your choice. If you need something extra to thin down the mixture, you can add a few splashes of filtered water and stir until you reach the desired consistency.

This mask makes enough for a one-time use. The mask is intended to be used all over your face and neck and, if you want, chest. This mixture isn’t meant to be bottled and saved.

To apply the mask, I like to use my fingers but if you’d prefer a less messy option, a face mask brush is the best option. Either way, massage the mask all over your face (avoiding the eyes, eyebrows, and eyelids), as well as the neck and, if desired, the chest. If you just apply the mask to the face and neck, you’ll be able to wash it off at the sink. If you go down to the chest, you’ll need to rinse it off in the shower.

Let the mask rest on the skin for about 10 minutes, then rinse off with water and enjoy that post-mask glow!

Print

Spirulina and Honey Face Mask

A spirulina and honey face mask that leaves the skin with a healthy, youthful glow. Great for acne-prone, aging, and dry skin.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 face mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 tsp honey preferably a runny raw honey
• 1/2 tsp spirulina powder
• water optional

Instructions

• In a small bowl, mix together the honey and spirulina powder. Add a splash of water (or a few splashes) to reach a thinner consistency (if desired).

To Use:

• Start with a clean face that's been washed with a gentle cleanser. Then apply your toner mist. Now, it's time to apply the mask. I like to use my fingers, but if you'd prefer a less messy route, a face mask brush is the best option. Either way, massage the mask all over your face (avoiding the eyes, eyebrows, and eyelids), as well as the neck and, if desired, the chest. If you just apply the mask to the face and neck, you'll be able to wash it off at the sink. If you go down to the chest, you'll need to rinse it off in the shower.
• Let the mask rest on the skin for about 10 minutes, then rinse off with water and enjoy that post-mask glow! Follow-up with your moisturizer. You can read about my favorite skincare products in this post.

The post Spirulina and Honey Face Mask (The Glow Mask) appeared first on Live Simply.

There are some great masks and exfoliators on the market, ranging from just a few dollars to over a hundred dollars for a 4 ounce tube or bottle. I shared a few of my favorite store-bought options in my body care book.

If you like to save money, and enjoy the art of making something, then making your own masks and/or exfoliators is the way to go. 

Today, let’s talk about making a homemade exfoliator. I’ve rounded up my favorite homemade exfoliators, all of which cost just a few cents to make and can be made in under 5 minutes. 

I like to exfoliate my face once a week, in the morning. Occasionally, I’ll use an exfoliator twice a week when my skin is feeling meh. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, which, when left on the skin, can block pores and cause skin to look dry and dull. I also like to mask once or twice a week. Both of these practices make a big difference in the overall condition of my skin. 

1. All-Over Sugar Scrub

Pantry Ingredients: Sugar and Oil  

This scrub may be used on the entire body, including the face and lips. For this reason, I like to use this scrub in the shower. The sugar sloughs off dead skin cells and gets the blood flowing to the skin. Sugar also naturally hydrates the skin. It’s important to use a very fine sugar when making this exfoliator. This scrub may be too abrasive for acne-prone or sensitive facial skin (see the next two options for a better fit). 

2. Gentle Oat Exfoliator  

Pantry Ingredients: Oats, Almonds, Salt, and Liquid (oil, water, etc.)

This exfoliator was inspired by S.W. Basics. The ground oats, ground almonds, and mineral-rich salt gently remove dead skin cells. The final product is incredibly gentle on the skin, making it an ideal facial exfoliator even for more sensitive skin.

3. Gentle Baking Soda Exfoliator

Pantry Ingredients: Baking Soda and Liquid (water, hydrosol, or milk)

Baking soda may be used as a gentle exfoliant on the face. Just like with the oat exfoliator, the powder must be mixed with a liquid to create a paste before applying it to the face. For a liquid, I prefer milk (cow’s milk or coconut milk) or water (or rose hydrosol).

The post 3 Made-From-the-Pantry Products that Naturally Exfoliate the Face appeared first on Live Simply.

1. Drink plenty of water each day. I carry a reusable water bottle all day, and drink from it often.

2. Enjoy natural fat, as part of a real food lifestyle, on a daily basis: avocado, grass-fed butter, coconut butter, olive oil, etc.

3. Sleep at least 7 hours each night.

4. Exercise on a regular basis. Sometimes my exercise for the day is as simple as taking a walk around my neighborhood or stretching. Other times, I enjoy a barre or kick boxing class. The goal is movement each day.

5. Dry brush. Dry brushing supports the lymphatic system (a huge part of the immune system) and naturally detoxes the body. A few times a week, before or after a morning shower, I brush my skin (yes, my whole body) with a body brush (I found my brush on Amazon). I start by brushing the top of my feet and legs, then work upward towards my stomach, and then focus on my arms. The entire process only takes a couple of minutes.

6. Enjoy a face mask. I like to use a face mask once or twice a week. A mask helps to improve the overall appearance and condition of the skin, and it’s a cue for my body to rest for a few minutes.  The mask you choose to use depends on the ingredients you have on hand and your skin, and if you want to make your own or purchase a mask from the store. Personally, I use the Clay Acne Mask on a weekly basis, and occasionally a seasonal food-based mask.

7. Exfoliate. I like to exfoliate my face once a week, in the morning. An exfoliator is used to slough off dead skin cells and get the blood flowing to the skin.

These practices require intention on my part. Because without intention, my days become too full and busy for self-care.

Besides movement, my favorite self-care practice is definitely using a mask or an exfoliator on my face. Applying such a treatment to my face makes me feel like I’ve visited a spa, which ranks high on my list of relaxing activities.

I’ve shared a few natural masks and exfoliators here on the blog and in my body care book. Today, I want to add one more exfoliator recipe to the blog (this recipe comes from my book) in hopes that you’ll have quite a few options for your own self-care time.

This recipe is so easy and you probably already own the ingredients needed: baking soda and a liquid. My favorite liquid is milk. Other options, include: a hydrosol (try rose water) or plain water. The liquid used is up to you, based on what your skin responds to the best.

Print

Gentle Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator

A gentle, two-ingredient facial exfoliator made with kitchen ingredients. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 1 application

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 TB baking soda
• 1 tsp milk, water, or hydrosol

Instructions

•  In a small bowl, stir together the baking soda and liquid.

To Use:

• Wet your hands. Gently massage the exfoliator on the face using circular motions, for about 30 seconds. Rinse the face clean with water and a washcloth. Follow-up with a moisturizer. 

The post Gentle Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator appeared first on Live Simply.

We decided this year to keep things really simple, making just a couple of handmade gifts for our closest family and friends. And instead of going crazy with presents for the kids, we purchased just one item for each of them (Piper, Legos. Londyn, a new bed comforter.), along with giving them the gift of travel.

Instead of focusing on crossing off a to-do list the week before Christmas, I created an advent calendar to help us enjoy a daily activity of togetherness or kindness in the days leading up to Christmas. The advent calendar has brought intentionality to the past 19 days, and allowed us to enjoy a piece of Christmas each day. I’ll definitely make an advent calendar again next year. My family has loved the activities on the calendar, and I feel like Christmas has been extra special, simple, and intentional this year because of this calendar.

Before Christmas Day, I want to share two more recipes with you: a seasonal mask and a seasonal quick bread. These recipes will be the last two recipes shared on Live Simply in 2017.

At the end of each year, between Christmas and the start of the new year, I take a short break from the blog to spend time with my family and focus on the future of the blog in the new year.

In 2018, Live Simply will be five years-old, which is incredible for a blog. It takes a lot of work to consistently publish blog content, interact on social media, share my life via Instagram Stories, and develop quality recipes that work. I love every second of this work. I also look forward to a break away from my computer and kitchen. The holiday season is the perfect time for me to do this. It’s a wonderful time for me to rest, recharge, and refocus.

I’m not going on break just yet, so let’s chat about today’s recipe. It’s a good one…

Today’s recipe, a do-it-yourself seasonal facial mask, is the perfect way to practice caring for yourself during the holiday season. This face mask is made with cacao powder (AKA: chocolate), the same ingredient used to make homemade hot chocolate. Cacao is rich in antioxidants. Yogurt is added to help exfoliate the skin. Honey is added to help hydrate the skin. Finally, peppermint essential oil adds a seasonal scent and warm tingle to the mask. <–It’s my favorite part!

Yes, I know what you’re thinking…

It’s true…

You can eat this mask.

It looks just like chocolate pudding and it does taste amazing. I personally don’t recommend ingesting essential oils (no matter what brand you choose to use), but everything else is 100% edible. When is the last time you purchased a mask from the store that made that claim?

The next time you’re making homemade hot chocolate to share with your family, why not also make yourself a face mask? Hot chocolate and a chocolate face mask. That sounds like an incredible way to treat yourself for the holidays.

Print

Seasonal Facial Mask: Winter Minty Mocha Mask

A seasonal face mask made with cacao powder, yogurt, and honey. A hydrating and exfoliating mask that's rich in antioxidants. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Seasonal Facial Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 mask applications

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB cacao powder or cocoa powder
• 2 TB plain whole milk yogurt or heavy cream will work, just reduce amount slightly
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil

Special Equipment:

• small bowl

Instructions

• Add the cacao powder, yogurt, and honey to a small bowl. Stir until smooth. Add the essential oil, and stir.

To Use:

• Apply the mask to the face using your fingers or a brush. Allow the mask to rest on your face for 5-10 minutes, until it begins to dry. Rinse with a warm, damp washcloth. I like to follow-up with toner and moisturizer. 

Notes

This recipe makes enough for two mask applications. Use a portion of the mask and store the rest in an air-tight container in the fridge. Use the mask within 4-5 days. 

If you don't have any peppermint essential oil, skip it. It definitely adds to the experience, but you can still make a beneficial mask without it. 

 

The post Seasonal Facial Mask: Winter Minty Mocha Mask appeared first on Live Simply.

I’m excited to finally share that at the end of this year, I’ll be releasing a new digital book. This time, all about natural body care.

As I worked on this book, I wanted to create something more than just a collection of recipes. I wanted to create a book that provided a simplified approach to natural body care–based on my research, experiences, and hearing from readers over the years.

This book focuses on how to make the switch from toxic products to natural products, along with simple recipes for what I consider to be body essentials (and a few special items, like masks and exfoliators), and brand/product recommendations. <–Because I know life is crazy and busy, and many times we have to prioritize between making a facial cream or dinner. To which I say, “Hello, (natural) store-bought facial cream! You’re looking might fine.” 

In the book, I share three different recipes for making a facial exfoliator: an all-over sugar exfoliator (a reader favorite), a baking soda exfoliator, and an oat-based exfoliator. The goal is to provide you with three options, based on the ingredients you already own and your skin’s preferences.

The all-over sugar exfoliator may be used all over the body. Because it’s so coarse, folks with sensitive skin may have issues with this option.  The next option, a baking soda exfoliator, is super easy to make and offers a gentle exfoliation experience. And finally, if you want another option that’s soothing, exfoliating, and gentle, there’s the oat exfoliator option.

I thought it would be fun today to share the oat exfoliator.

Are you in?

Awesome!

In the book, exfoliators are are found in the “Face Specials” section, along with face masks. These products are what I consider to be occasional treatments for my skin. Face masks and exfoliators are only meant to be used, based on my research and own experience, once or twice a week.

On my skin, I use an exfoliator once a week, usually in the morning during a shower. I use a face mask twice a week, usually at night before bed. I personally rotate between store-bought exfoliators and masks (I’m currently loving the Acure brand for masks and exfoliators, and,of course, Luminance Skincare for masks) and homemade recipes. It all depends on my mood and current season of life.

This almond and oat exfoliator features three ingredients, which were inspired by S.W. Basics: almonds, oats, and a tiny amount of salt. The oats are soothing and may help calm inflammation, the almonds contain a nice amount of vitamin E, and the salt helps (along with the other ingredients) to slough off dead skin cells. This exfoliator is easy to customize. If you want something super simple, just use oats. I you want a finer exfoliator, or don’t have a high-powered blender, and want to use almonds, go with blanched almond flour instead of grinding almonds. If you don’t want to use salt, skip it! Customize and tweak this recipe to your liking. This about you, girl!

The beauty of this recipe is that the ingredients are pulsed together to create a powder, which may be stored for a few months. When you’re ready to experience a special skin treatment, simply mix together a small amount of the powder with a liquid, and you’re ready to gently exfoliate your skin!

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Gentle Oat Exfoliator Scrub Powder

This exfoliator powder was inspired by the company, S.W. Basics. The oats, almonds, and mineral-rich salt gently remove dead skin cells. Combine the powder with a liquid to create a gentle exfoliator. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Exfoliator Scrub Powder

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces exfoliator powder

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup raw, unsalted almonds
• 1 tsp salt a mineral-rich, fine salt

Special Equipment:

• blender
• storage jar

Instructions

• Place the almonds and oats in a blender jar. Blend until the ingredients resemble a flour-like texture. Add the salt and pulse for just a couple of seconds to combine. 
• Spoon the mixture into a storage jar with a lid. Seal the jar.

To Use:

• Combine 1 tablespoon of powder with 1-2 teaspoons of liquid of choice-- water or oil (sweet almond, jojoba, or olive oil work well)--until you reach your desired consistency. Wet your hands. Gently massage the exfoliator on the face and/or body, using circular motions, for about 30 seconds. Rinse with a warm, damp washcloth. 

Notes

This exfoliator is easy to customize. If you want something super simple, just use oats. I you want a finer exfoliator, or don't have a high-powered blender, and want to use almonds, go with blanched almond flour instead of grinding almonds.If you don't want to use salt, skip it! Customize and tweak this recipe to your liking. This about you, girl! 

Store the powder in the fridge for up to 6 months. 

1 tablespoon of exfoliator makes enough for me to exfoliate my face and the top of my chest. If you need less or more, adjust the amount as needed. 

 

The post Gentle Oat Facial Exfoliator Scrub Powder appeared first on Live Simply.

As time went on, I began to learn about more expensive skincare products that promised all sorts of results: clear skin, a flawless look, the perfect glow. You know, all the messages marketers feed women on a daily basis. I ate them right up. I began to question my current skincare “routine” and started purchasing these fancier products (despite living on a budget that didn’t quite have the wiggle room for these products).

Fast forward a few years. I was a bit older, wiser, and now on a journey to eat real food. After making changes to what and how we ate, I began questioning the fancy products used on my skin.

It was also during this time that I gave birth to my first child (Piper) and then two years later my daughter (Londyn). My twenty-something body was going through some big changes, and soon my face became evidence of these changes. The clearer skin I took for granted was gone.

Meanwhile, as my skin (and body) cried out for extra attention, I was also trying to swap out the toxic products in my bathroom (which happened to be all the fancy soaps, moisturizers, and body products I was using) for more natural options.

I found out that my breakouts were due to a hormonal imbalance. As it turns out, having two babies back to back, starting a blog (and working through the night on it because, hello, passion doesn’t sleep) and taking self-care off my list of priorities (hello, new mom) all brewed into a disastrous, internal storm. A storm my face was accurately portraying.

Now that we’ve quickly recapped a decade of my skincare decisions, let’s talk about today and this avocado face mask recipe…

I’m now in my 30’s and have a deep respect for my skin and body. I’ve learned the importance, the hard way, of taking care of myself. For me, this looks like eating good (real) food and using quality, non-toxic skincare products on my body. There are also those added bonuses I’ve learned to incorporate into my life, like Pure Barre (exercise) a few times a week, reading/relaxation, going to bed early, and learning to say no to a maxed out schedule.

Quality skincare products don’t have to be super expensive ($100 is my grocery budget for the week, not my moisturizer budget) or fancy. In fact, the simplest of ingredients, which also happen to be the highest-quality ingredients, have become essential to my natural skincare routine.

Today’s recipe, an avocado face mask, is an example of how simple ingredients come together to create a quality, nourishing, inexpensive skincare treatment. The mask is made with leftover avocado (just a small amount is needed, so save a bit of avocado next time you’re making guacamole), oats, and honey. Avocado is loaded with healthy fat. Oats exfoliate and soothe the skin. And honey is just an all-around nourishing skincare ingredient that also helps to gently cleanse the skin.

Since I usually have a tub of clay sitting in my linen closet, clay tends to be my go-to ingredient for making an easy face mask. When I have an avocado sitting on my counter, or a bit of avocado leftover from a meal, this mask is a fun, simple, and inexpensive treat for my skin. A treat that always leaves my skin feeling cleansed, smooth, and refreshed.

Print

Exfoliating Avocado Face Mask

A simple, real food-inspired face mask made with leftover avocado, rolled oats, and honey. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Avocado Face Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 face mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1-2 tsp old-fashioned rolled oats *
• 1/4 small avocado such as, a hass avocado**
• 1 tsp honey

Special Equipment:

• small bowl
• spice grinder

Instructions

• Pulse the oats in a spice grinder until they resemble a fine powder/flour (about 30-60 seconds). 
• In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Add the honey and ground oats, and stir to thoroughly combine. Use immeadiately as a face mask. 

To Use:

• Apply the mask all over a clean face (and neck or chest, if desired) with clean fingers or a brush. Let the mask rest for 10 minutes, and then rise with clean water and a washcloth. I like to follow-up with my moisturizer. I recommend applying and rinsing this mask off in the kitchen--it is messy. 

The post Exfoliating Avocado Face Mask (a real food-based facial mask) appeared first on Live Simply.

My love for masks started as a teenager. An outgoing teenager with “problem skin.” During my late teen years, my hormones decided to wage war against my oily skin. My once-clear skin went from being spotless and smooth, to bumpy, red, and scarred from breakouts. My solution was to try every store-bought acne face product possible, ranging from cheap drug-store solutions to outrageously expensive department store potions. Nothing helped, and yet I continued to spend dollar after dollar in hopes that something would turn my skin around.

It was during this time that I started getting facials. As a college-bound teenager, I couldn’t afford regular facial treatments, but I tried my best to treat my skin to the luxurious experience once a year. I told myself, Maybe a skincare expert can fix my skin!

It was at this time that I was introduced to the utterly relaxing and invigorating feel of a facial mask. If you’ve ever received a facial before, then you know that muds, creamy concoctions, and all sorts of mask-like products are applied to the face during an hour long session. It’s absolutely bliss! My skin always felt amazing afterward–at least for a few days. It was at this time that my obsession with facial masks began.

It was in my mid-twenties, as we were making major lifestyle changes, that I discovered just how easy it is to make facial masks at home–using easy-to-source, natural ingredients.

Homemade facial masks have become an absolutely essential part of my skincare routine, not only because they care for my skin and minimize breakouts, but also because they force me to do something for myself (#self-care). And we all know just how hard it can be to take time for yourself (#momlife). There’s something so relaxing and invigorating about making and applying a weekly facial mask–something that causes me to just stop and breathe for a few minutes.

In the past, we’ve chatted about a soothing clay mask for acne-prone skin, a detoxifying mask with charcoal, and oat-based cleansing grains–which may be used as a mask. And a few weeks ago, I shared seven unique ways to make a clay face mask. These recipes all share one common ingredient: clay.

Clay is an incredibly affordable, detoxifying option for making a homemade facial mask, but clay isn’t the only main ingredient option. There’s something else that may be used: fruit! That’s right, good ol’ edible fruit!

One of my favorite fruits to turn into a homemade mask this time of year is, the strawberry. February through April is considered strawberry season in Florida, so it’s easy to pick up a carton of strawberries for just a couple of dollars. I always try to save a few strawberries on the side, the extra squishy ones, for my weekly facial mask routine.

Strawberries naturally contain vitamin C, salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acid–all of which may help to exfoliate, moisturize, and brighten the skin. I also like to add yogurt to the strawberries, since it’s rich in lactic acid–another alpha hydroxy acid. Finally, I add an ingredient that’s rich in both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey.

This powerhouse trio has quickly become one of my favorite skincare masks. I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after using this strawberry mask, and I love how easy it is to source the ingredients. And the fact that I could eat this mask–if I happen to get hungry during my self-care time–is a huge plus ;).

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Strawberries and Yogurt Brightening DIY Facial Mask

A brightening strawberry facial mask. This super easy mask only requires three ingredients, and it's gentle enough to use daily. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Facial Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 6 applications +/-

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 large strawberries preferably very ripe and juicy*
• 1 TB plain whole milk yogurt**
• 1 tsp honey preferably raw honey

Instructions

• Mash the strawberries with the back of a fork, or use a mortar and pestle, until the strawberries look like baby food. 
• Add the yogurt and honey to the mashed strawberries, and stir to combine. 

To Use:

• Apply the mask to the face, and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. This mask isn't thick like a clay mask, and it will feel very "wet" and runny when it's first applied. After a few minutes, the mask will dry on the face and turn a darker shade of pink--this is normal. From my experience, this mask is gentle enough to use daily, if desired. 
• The mask will keep in the fridge for a week, in an air-tight container. I let the mask rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before applying it to my skin so it's not super cold--this is just a personal preference.  This mask may also be frozen in ice cube trays and defrosted in the fridge before you're ready to use it.

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