When it comes to natural skincare knowledge, not many will have more experience than Cecilia Wong, facialist and founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare, who described the defining moment of her career path as an esthetician when she was just fourteen.

“I battled acne, pigmentation and excessive oiliness growing up. My mother always told me that if I wanted to have better skin, I needed to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, in addition to drinking the herbal tonics and soups that she made. One day, while I was preparing dessert,” which only consisted of fruits, since, as Wong mentioned, she was not allowed any sweets, “something clicked. I made a face mask out of blueberries and papaya and applied it on my skin. I did that for a week and saw a huge difference in my skin right away. Because of this experience, I knew that I wanted to help others with their problematic skin.”

Fast forward to present day, and you’ll find Wong managing her popular line of signature skincare products and a thriving skin care clinic in New York City, where she regularly helps clients transform their skin from the inside-out. By successfully uniting her expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine with natural products and approaches for skincare, like the gua sha facial massage, Wong has essentially created a trifecta of skin nourishing goodness.   

“A few months after I started my business, I was hearing complaints from my clients that they weren’t seeing results from the products they were using, and they asked me if I could create something for them,” said Wong. “I was reminded of when I was younger and used fruits to create face masks, so I decided to create a line that would consist of herbs, fruits and plants with the core ingredient being black currant.”

In addition to her line of all-natural, vegan, made in the USA products, Wong also relies heavily on her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine when suggesting herbs to her clients. There are three, in particular, that Wong highly recommends. Sage, licorice root, and parsley are the trio she deems responsible for unlocking that oh-so-covetable glow. Here’s what she says each of these herbs do and how she recommends using them:

Sage: “The antioxidants in this herb help to fight off free radicals and ease away wrinkles and fine lines. It’s great for those with acne prone skin due to its ability to clear blemishes and kill bacteria. Sage is very cleansing! You can use it in smudging, cook it in soups and even make tea with it. This herb can be used on skin in creams or serums.”

Licorice Root: “This herb helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and brighten the skin. The powerful antioxidants in licorice root act as a barrier and protect skin from environmental stressors. Licorice root is mainly used in teas or as a supplement in capsule form. Can also be used topically in creams.”

Parsley: “This herb is a great source of Vitamin C and helps to promote oxygenation in skin. It repairs and promotes collagen production as well as helping to clear up blemishes due to its antibacterial properties. Parsley can be used in cooking, herbal tonics and teas. I also love using them in my baths—it’s both therapeutic and medicinal! Great topically in creams or serums.”

Of course, it’s important to proceed at your own risk. Wong cautioned, “You should always consult a doctor or an herbalist before incorporating any herbs into your diet. This is to avoid interactions with your existing medications, and so you are taking the proper amount. They can have side effects if taken incorrectly.”

Patience is also key when using these herbs. Wong said that there’s no actual set time to see results, but depending on the reasons for using the trio, it may take anywhere from two to three months to see improvement. As always, individual results may vary. Furthermore, she also highly emphasizes the age old notion that healthy skin starts from the inside, and that diet and nutrition play a key role in how good your skin looks, reminding us that “eating nutritious foods will give skin the nutrients and vitamins it needs to stay plump, youthful and healthy.”

When asked about some other skincare game-changers, Wong said, “I am a huge fan of gua sha facial massages, which is amazing for any age! It helps to depuff the whole face, breaks down tissue blockages and releases toxins. It’s great for toning and sculpting the skin as well as stimulating various acupressure points.” In fact, Wong offers a quartz gua sha tool so you can practice the art of facial massage at home–something she tells her clients to do between appointments as their “homework”.

Being proactive and incorporating regular maintenance is the cornerstone for improving and maintaining healthy skin. That’s why Wong recommends visiting a licensed esthetician at least once per month since professional facials “can help achieve a better, deeper cleanse than the one you do at home.” She also noted their ability to “rid the skin of buildup, toxins and dirt, while eliminating bacteria that could be lingering on the skin,” not to mention the effects they can have on premature aging, improved circulation, greater collagen production, and facilitating plumper, healthier, more radiant skin.

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Using multi-product beauty lines, no questions asked, is so ‘90s. Today we know how to select those products that work for our own specific skin types and the issues we are looking to treat. Skincare cocktailing takes product selection to a whole new level. As in, several treatments in one beautiful bottle.

Customized skincare isn’t exactly new. Adding tint or sunscreen to your favorite facial moisturizer is a form of custom skincare. But skincare cocktailing is different. These solutions are lighter consistency (think toners, serums, oils, and thinner skin treatments) that combine several steps into one product.

Yes, skincare cocktails mean fewer products and a simplified beauty routine. Cleanser, cocktail, maybe a moisturizer, and sun protection are all you need. But the best part? You can customize these beauties so they are targeted to your exact skin issues.

This all sounds like a skincare dream come true. So, of course, I had to try it for myself. You can create a DIY cocktail at home using products you’ve chosen, but be sure when using essential oils to dilute properly before adding.

I’d rather leave it to the experts and enlisted the help of the skincare cocktailing gurus at Source Vitál Apothecary. The natural skincare brand has designed its own formula for creating customized facial cocktails and offer the service online or in-store.

A Skincare Cocktailing Experience With Source Vitál Apothecary

Source Vitál first came up with the custom facial cocktail when it was noticed that customers were purchasing infusions and making cocktails on their own. The brand liked the idea of making these serums in front of the customer, and the personalized system was born.

I sat down via video call with sales associate and cocktailing extraordinaire Sophia Peón-Leyva and Paul Colgin, CEO of Source Vitál Apothecary, to watch my custom serum being hand-blended. The process starts with a base chosen by skin type. Theses bases are a combination of two Source Vitál products that help other ingredients to absorb into the skin. While my skin is often on the dry side, it also tends to be sensitive, so I opted for the Rose blend. Plus, I love the way rose oil makes my skin feel.

The second step is choosing active ingredients. There are seven serum options to choose from and this is where you get to totally customize your cocktail. I chose Restorative and Soothing solutions for this step to give a youthful look, and keep my complexion even-toned and calm.

Next, in step three, you select additional “shots” for your cocktail. These give the cocktail a powerful boost of effectiveness and, again, you can choose what you like. I opted for Abyssinian oil for moisture and suppleness, plus Chlorella Gold, a new ingredient that is extracted from algae and helps to stimulate anti-aging effects. Woo hoo!

These facial cocktails have a fluid, liquid consistency but are also hydrating. It feels more like a moisturizing serum mixed with facial essence than a facial oil. My cocktail makes my skin look calm and toned, but also gives it a pretty glow. And it’s super softening. I use it on clean skin and top with my daily moisturizer once it has a chance to soak in.

Purchasing a custom facial cocktail takes the guess work out of choosing a serum for your skin. It is also more economical. Rather than purchasing a serum, facial oil, and treatment, they are all right there in one bottle. And additional serums can be created for different times of year, travel, day, night, or when new skin concerns crop up. For example, use a serum with toning and brightening properties for day, and calming, restorative qualities at night. Or mix up a more emollient blend that treats redness or irritation for dry winter months.

How fun is that? Not only do these custom skincare treats give your skin exactly what it needs, but you can switch it up as often as you like. Each bottle is $44.95 plus an extra $2 per shot. Source Vitál cocktails last approximately one month when used once daily and come in one ounce bottles, perfect for travel. Nothing says custom skincare like having your name on the label.

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Whether you take a minimalist approach to skincare or love to multi-step, facial essences are products you’ll want to get your hands on. First, let’s zero in on what facial essences really are and what they do for skin.

The Korean beauty movement ushered in the multi-step skincare routine in a huge way. Multi-masking, skincare cocktailing, and layering are commonplace skincare practices these days. The current favorite of the Kb skincare world, facial essences, are making a particularly big splash.

What are Facial Essences?

Not a toner. Not a serum. Not a facial oil. What are these mysterious liquid beauty treatments?

At first glance, facial essences look similar to toner. Yes, they are watery, but they contain different ingredients and have different effects on skin. Facial essences are formulated with powerful actives and moisturizing ingredients. Unlike your average toner or micellar water, which are used to clean and clarify the skin, essences are highly concentrated floral water, botanical, and natural oil blends. Think of them as a facial serum in liquid form.

How to Use Facial Essences

Due to the watery nature of facial essences, you may be tempted to swipe the face with an essence-soaked cotton pad post-cleanse. They do go on after you clean your face and before adding your treatments and moisturizer, but since these formulas are meant to treat the skin, rather than cleanse, you want to make sure every drop soaks in.

There are two ways to get the most from your facial essence. Either add a pump or two of essence to the palm of your hand and pat into skin, or mist onto the face and pat it in. It’s the patting in part that is important. This way your complexion reaps the benefits of those healthy ingredients and no precious drops are wasted.

Another way to use facial essences is to combine them with another product, like a serum or facial oil. This is a great way to decrease the oiliness of a facial oil, and boost the nourishing and reparative properties of a serum.

5 Reasons to Use Facial Essences

1. Perk Up Skin: Glowing skin is never a bad thing. Dryness is one of the main glow-sappers and facial essence is moisture rescue in a bottle. Try Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Calming Botanical Essence to boost radiance and banish dullness due to jet lag, lack of sleep, and other skin stressors. Made with pure glacier water to balance the skin and rose quartz for balancing the spirit.

2. Soften and Moisturize: There are many causes for dehydrated skin. Adding in a floral essence with hyaluronic acid, like Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence, will help to keep skin moisturized. Stock before winter arrives.

3. Prep the Skin: Facial essences help other skin treatments, like serums and moisturizers, more easily soak into skin. They also act as a hydrating facial primer, so foundation looks smooth and even. In Fiore Vitale Toning Floral Essence is an aloe-based option, suitable for all skin types.

4. Plump & Smooth: A facial essence that firms the skin and softens lines? That’s In Fiore Régénerant. Made with rose water, natural humectants, and plant actives, it plumps the complexion while kicking dryness to the curb.

5. Balance Oil: Facial essences are a dry-skinned girl’s dream. That doesn’t mean they can’t be used by those with oily skin, too. Adding a pump or spritz of facial essence to your favorite serum or moisturizer, instead of layering underneath, works best on oilier skin types. Give Odacite Mint + Green Tea Treatment Mist a try, formulated to soothe skin and reduce breakouts.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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While winter definitely takes its toll on moisture, summer seems to be a constant flurry of protecting skin from the sun and soothing it when it’s seen too much damage. And though there are tons of over-the-counter products to help with this, the traditional Indian healing system of Ayurveda has a few tips, too.

Ayurvedic Oils as Sunscreen

After scientific research showed that certain Ayurvedic oils had SPF powers, many natural health gurus pounced, claiming that these oils could be used in lieu of sunscreen. And according to Anna Pamula of Renu Day Spa in Illinois, traditional Ayurveda does call for using these oils to help protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

“All vegetable oils have UVB And UVA protection qualities,” she says, noting that while plants certainly depend upon the sun to grow, they also need to protect themselves from sun damage.

Different oils have different SPF values, ranging from SPF 2 in the case of coconut oil to SPF 4 for sesame, SPF 6 for hemp, SPF 10 for soybean, and a whopping SPF 40 for carrot seed and SPF 50 for raspberry seed.

That said, some doctors, like Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, note that lab results aren’t enough to prove that applying these oils instead of sunscreen will help in practice.

“In theory or in the lab, an oil may give [some] protection, but in the real world, you’re applying it to the skin with other ingredients and you’re sweating and it’s exposed to UV light — the conditions are very different,” Dr. Zeichner tells NY Mag. “It may not be stable.”

You may be better off opting for a natural sunscreen and boosting your skin’s natural sun-repelling power by consuming lots of antioxidants and avoiding certain essential oils: bitter orange, angelica, and lemon verbena can increase sun sensitivity, so shelve those until fall.

Ayurveda for Post-Sun Skin

One thing that experts do agree on across the board is that Ayurveda can be used successfully and safely if you’ve accidentally overdosed on sun exposure.

“You generally want to opt for cooling, calming and soothing oils,” says Kerri Axelrod, a certified holistic health coach. She suggests coconut oil after over-exposure to the sun to reduce inflammation, heal minor sunburns, and prevent redness.

Vasant Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute, meanwhile, suggests mixing equal amounts of powdered sandalwood and turmeric and applying the paste to a sunburn to help it heal itself.

Classic aloe vera is yet another great way to soothe a sunburn. Choose fresh, organic aloe vera and apply the juice directly to the sunburn to help it heal.

For dry skin associated with too much time in the sun, sand, or sea, Axelrod suggests shea butter or a combination of lavender oil and sandalwood oil for their soothing properties. Placing a few drops of these essential oils into your bath a few times a week to can help you take advantage of their cooling effects after a bit too much time on the beach.

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Why are you using, or thinking about using, natural skincare? Is it because you’ve read about all the scary things that could happen if you use toxic cosmetics? That’s not the only reason to steer clear of toxins.

Fear is Not the Answer

Forget scare tactics, fear-mongering, and the C-word. These go against the whole foundation of the health and wellness movement. There are some pretty popular health advocates out there shaking things up and bringing awareness to toxic ingredients in food and cosmetics, and those are good things. But fear should not be the reason for improving your health.

We now know that healthy thoughts play a huge role in not only how we feel, but our overall health. Yes, sometimes fear is a catalyst for change. A trip to the doctor’s office may result in a healthier diet or new exercise plan. A family member getting a scary diagnosis often prompts changes in our own lifestyle. Great, use that if it feels right.

But what about those of you who are on the fence with this whole toxins thing? Maybe you think it is sensationalized or just aren’t that worried about synthetic ingredients in your skincare. Or, maybe, it simply sounds too difficult to make the switch.

While opting for healthy ingredients in cosmetics is one more rung on the wellness ladder, there is another benefit to using natural skincare. And it has nothing to do with potential future diseases or environmental pollution. Natural skincare makes your skin look and feel better.

What’s Really Bothering Your Skin?

Natural skincare is not only healthier for skin, body, and the environment, but also makes your skin happier. Wonder how this can be true? Take a good, honest look at your skin. You’ve found products that work for you, but if you are still seeing breakouts, clogged pores, shiny or dry skin, or sensitivity it is likely due to chemicals in your skincare. It’s true.

I experienced this first hand. A decade ago I described my skin as ultra-sensitive. I only used Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. Anything else left my skin red, hot, and irritated. Sounds like super sensitive skin, right?

Then I got into natural skincare and discovered something. My skin wasn’t all that sensitive. It was reacting to the chemicals in mainstream beauty products.

Here’s the deal. Most of us are sensitive to chemical ingredients in one way or another. Whether that looks like acne, dull skin tone, or irritation, synthetic ingredients do not work with our skin the way natural ingredients do.

Take the aforementioned Cetaphil for example. This cleanser (which is made of water, alcohols, SLS, propylene glycol, and parabens) is widely recommended by doctors and dermatologists to treat all skin types, from acne prone to dry or sensitive. And it does seem to abate these skin issues. But you may notice that it stops working over time and your pimples come back. Or your dry or sensitive skin has healed, but you also have clogged pores or waxy feeling complexion. These are reactions to chemical ingredients.

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients responsible for unhappy skin. Alcohols and harsh cleansing agents (like SLS) are drying. This causes everything from redness and irritation, to acne. Silicones and plasticizers block pores and cause irritation. Even if a product claims to be noncomedogenic (or non-pore clogging) it may still contain these ingredients. Fragrance ingredients are another source of skin irritation. If you look at the list of cosmetic ingredients to avoid, you will notice that most of the ingredients come with a note on allergic reaction or skin irritation.

Why Your Skin Likes Natural Ingredients

Since the skin absorbs a large portion of what is applied to it, it only makes sense that absorbing vitamins and nutrients from natural ingredients is better than toxins. When choosing skincare, consider what the ingredients do for skin and which will benefit you most, then choose products made with those ingredients.

Of course, natural ingredients can irritate skin too. Some essential oils disagree with delicate skin types and others should only to be used when diluted. We are all different and so is our skin. Know which ingredients your skin reacts to and look for those when reading ingredient listings to avoid eruptions or skin problems.

This doesn’t mean there aren’t times when you may need to use a chemical skincare treatment. Some stubborn skin conditions, like cystic acne or psoriasis, may require prescription medication or treatments that include synthetic ingredients. The idea is to tailor your skincare routine to suit your own skin type and issues.

If you are tired of hearing how bad everything is for your health, take a break from the fear mongering and do something good for your skin. Natural ingredients may be the answer to your skin issues, and can make your complexion look and feel better than you ever thought it could.

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Rubbing bacteria on your face may sound like a sure fire way to a bad skin day, but a little of the right kind of microbes within probiotic skincare could be the answer to your skin woes.

Most wellness buffs know a thing or two about probiotics. Pop these good bacteria into your daily diet and the benefits are endless, with evidence even showing they can help allergy sufferers. Balance your gut and you can take on the world, right?

Living Skin

It turns out our skin deserves the same treatment. Far from being just a protective outer layer, our skin is our largest organ, and the systems that support it are just as dynamic as the rest of our body.

According to Anne-Marie Niens of Yun Probiotherapy, “skin is protected by the first layer of defense called the microbiome.” This is essentially a collection of microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin. Although most of the time we live in blissful ignorance that there’s living things that call our face home, they have ways of making themselves known.

When the balance of good versus bad bacteria is out of whack, as Niens explains, an overload of bad bacteria can cause an increase in the amount of “infections on the skin,” which can mean anything from acne to the fungal kind. Yikes.

A huge cause of this is the misconception that we need to make our skin a bacteria-free zone. Antibacterial and overly stripping products don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria, destroying both indiscriminately. In turn, this upsets the balance of your skin, leaving it vulnerable to the things the skin microbiome system naturally defends against, such as free radicals and foreign pathogens.

Bringing Back the Balance

Taking probiotics internally helps to restore balance from the inside out, but topical probiotics are also proving to make a difference. Studies of some strains of probiotic bacteria have shown that they can be used to treat skin conditions including acne and dehydrated skin, all just by counteracting bad bacteria and restoring the pH level of the skin.

Most skincare however, will not contain live probiotics like the ones you’ll find in your favorite yogurt drink. Things such as preservatives and formulating processes can make it a little tricky to keep them in the land of the living. Instead, cosmetic formulators will often use methods that involve extracting the beneficial properties from the cells, which still has a noticeable effect on skin.

It’s time to learn to love bacteria (well, the good kind), and we know a few beautifiers which will make the lesson a whole lot easier.

5 Probiotic Skincare Heroes

1. Acure Organics Sensitive Facial Cleanser

Choosing a gentle cleanser is key to maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria, as harsh facial washes can strip away the good stuff. Acure Organics’ sensitive skin offering not only takes it easy on excessive cleansing, but flaunts fermented resveratrol extract among the ingredients list as a natural skin defender.

2. The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner 

An impression concoction of fermented grains, seeds, grasses, fruits, algae, vegetables, and herbs, this hydrating potion offers up something a little different which niche beauty lovers will adore. Lactic acid and lactobacillus also keep your pH number at healthy levels. Hello friendly microbes!

3. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise & Glow Serum

Want to wake up every morning with an unbeatable glow? This lightweight but nourishing serum will do just that. Infused with both anti-aging peptides and calming probiotics, it’s a one-way ticket to even and plump looking skin. The addictive scent of jasmine, tuberose, and mandarin is just the floral cherry on top of this probiotic skincare wonder.

4. de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist

Give thirsty skin a decadent drink with this instantly soothing mist. Alongside a type of lactobacillus to help strengthen the skin’ defense, this botanical beauty is brimming with antioxidants, making it perfect for facing environmental stresses.

5. Esse Skincare Cream Mask

Containing both prebiotics and probiotics, this moisturizing mask provides your skin microbiome with all the tools it needs to flourish. As well as a five minute pick-me-up, it can also be left on overnight to help tackle hyperpigmentation.

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Great business ideas often start small and simple, with a vision to make the world a better place. For Poéthique founder, Gayatri Pradhan, that vision was to deliver safe plant-based ingredients that could replicate the sensory experience of high-end skincare products, but without the toxic ingredients still all-too-common in our skincare industry.

As a former marketing executive for global skincare brands, Pradhan knew there were opportunities to create a better product. Not just an opportunity—a dire need to do it. And it helped that she was a trained pharmaceutical chemist who understood that making a natural, green product that was not only effective, but also felt great to use, involved a whole lot more than simply blending together ingredients–there’s an art and a science to the natural stuff as much as the conventional.

“We’ve come such a long way with our knowledge of natural ingredients,” says Pradhan.

“People think of cultural beauty wisdom as this old, ancient thing, almost like a static body that hasn’t grown or evolved in years. But every passing generation adds something new,” she says. “This body of knowledge is a living, growing thing. And so I knew there had to be a way to get to a product that was green but also felt great.”

Pradhan’s Indian heritage, passion for travel, and thirst for learning converged into a singular goal of trying to bring the best and most effective natural ingredients into products that actually work. With her keen eye for design, she has been able to bring to life a brand that stands out from the earthy and minimalist brands that abound in natural skincare and addresses the growing concerns of consumers from all walks of life, but in particular, millennials and their quest for clean, green beauty that performs as well as or better than the conventional products beloved by their mothers and grandmothers.

“Our generation is interested in all natural lifestyles in such a paradigm-shifting way. There had to be other green chemistry experts out there that recognized this and wanted to add to this body of knowledge.”

One such expert is Patricia Mirabito, a cosmetic chemist with more than twenty years of formulation experience under her belt, and the key formulator for Poéthique’s unique products. As director of her own chemistry laboratory in Buenos Aires, her reputation has been built through her sought-after work for the region’s most respected dermatologists.

Patricia had always been interested in active natural ingredients and botanical extracts and used them extensively in her practice. However, prior to Poéthique, she typically blended these botanical ingredients with standard cosmetic industry chemicals, thinking of them as necessities to get to a stable product that worked and felt great to use.

“There are some synthetic ingredients that have become such an industry standard that I wasn’t sure it could be done without them,” says Mirabito.

The problem is that the indulgent experience of luxury conventional skincare brands typically comes from silicones and other polymers that are often composed of the same materials that go into making plastic goods like tires, bags, etc. They may offer temporary results, but don’t deliver the long-term benefits of natural plant-based ingredients. And several of these non-natural ingredients are being exposed as harmful toxins, impacting human endocrine systems through both acute and cumulative exposure.

With Poéthique, Mirabito’s natural instincts for problem solving were tuned to formulating a 100 percent plant-based product without sacrificing the indulgent experience of high-end skincare brands.

“I have so many friends that would love to make the switch from green beauty products but try them and turn back to their default non-natural brands, because the experience is just not enjoyable,” says Pradhan. “It feels like they have to take a medicine–but beauty and skincare is not a medicine! It is as much about the experience as it is about the results.”

So the duo set out to reinvent the beauty care industry relying on nature’s inherent beauty wisdom. While this is certainly not the first green beauty brand on the scene–they did have a specific task in mind. The twosome wanted to create products that could work across multiple skin types, across multiple climates, and that would layer well with other skincare routines. Consistently, they had found that many existing green beauty brands felt heavy and greasy to use, making them not suitable to all skin types, nor could they be used in all manner of season or climate. They knew their work was cut out for them – making something that is effective was a given, but having people go WOW! when they tried the product would be the hurdle to cross. Passionate about helping more people make the switch to clean, green beauty, they wanted their products to make it easy for people looking to make a switch.

It didn’t disappoint. From Pradhan’s early vision, the journey took close to two years as they approached various suppliers, consulted with other experts in green cosmetic chemistry, pushed for better results, and built prototype after prototype testing treasured natural ingredients from cultures all across the globe. Their search for unique ingredients took them all over the world – from the mountainous regions of Peru to the sub-tropical rainforests of Australia; from the heart of India and sweeping Mediterranean groves to California’s lush valleys. There they found such exotic and powerful ingredients as the caviar lime, chock full of fruit acids, vitamins, and trace minerals, and wild plums abundant in vitamins and antioxidants. They also recognized the utility of well-known ingredients such as oats, olive, and jojoba oils.

 Armed with these ingredients, they formulated their first line of products, meant to balance skin health – a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. As a new brand, they decided to launch the products in phases, using each product to introduce green, toxin-free beauty lovers to unique ingredients. The launch product, Poéthique’s Radiance Boosting Serum, is loaded with caviar lime and wild plum extracts and acts as a treatment to gently accelerate skin’s renewal process to reveal softer, brighter skin. In releasing the serum first, Pradhan wanted to showcase the uniqueness of ingredient, the high quality of the product that could layer easily with a person’s existing beauty regimen.

When product testers begged for more of the sixth round of prototypes, the two knew they had a hit on their hands. Their work has been validated over and over by the green beauty community. Users consistently rate it highly for effectiveness and experience, while bloggers love it and have called it their “new green beauty obsession!” Well on its way to becoming a cult favorite, Poéthique’s journey has only just begun. 

 “Entrepreneurship is such a gut-wrenching, heart-stopping ride,” says Pradhan. “We put so much passion and hard work and expertise into developing Poéthique, and we got feedback along the way to make sure we were going in the right direction,” she says.

“Once we went live, I was a nervous wreck! What if no one bought this? What if no one loved it? And then to hear the reviews come in, it’s such sweet relief and a validation of all the work we have put in–it powers us for the hard work ahead as we nurture Poéthique and the customers who believe in green beauty products that work.”

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For most of us, skincare looks like way less than a ten-step Kb routine. If you are going to the trouble of using several skincare products, or even a select few, make sure you are getting as much good from them as possible. And, yes, there is an order that works best.

There are basically two main points to consider when setting up your layering plan: Starting with clean skin, apply products with the thinnest consistency first, and work your way up to the thickest.

The second thing to think about is how effective you need any one product to be. If your skin is dry, you are in need of hydration and want to be sure the most hydrating products are layered on first. Skin that breaks out needs acne treatment up front. Those dealing with rosacea are in need of a skin calmer. You get the idea.

One more tip before we go deep on the natural skincare layering lin-up. Consistency is key. If you are going to the trouble of using several products, give them a chance to work. For best results, stick with your routine.

The Best Order to Apply Natural Skincare

1. Cleanser: It sort of goes without saying that you start your layering process off with clean skin. To kick things off right, use a cleanser that is formulated for your skin type.

2. Exfoliator: This step only needs to be done one or two times each week. More can cause irritation and premature aging. Try adding exfoliation during your nighttime routine so skin has a chance to calm down.

3. Toner/Facial Mist: Not everyone uses a toner but they do hold benefits for all skin types. Products with natural astringents, like witch hazel and citrus hydrosols, work to control oil and banish breakouts. If you have dry skin, opt for a toner that soothes and hydrates with floral hydrosols. Facial mists are usually more hydrating and can be used along with a toner, or in place of toner, and are multi-use.

4. Eye cream: There are different schools of thought on when this product should be applied. Some say it’s the last thing to go on, but applying eye cream first means no other products accidentally touch this delicate area.

5. Serum/Treatment: This really isn’t an either or. You can use both serum or a different type of treatment. This is where it is important to go for the one you need most first. So if you are looking to combat zits, put the clearing treatment on before anything else. Most serums (whether gel, lotion, or oil) offer some level of hydration, and are usually designed to give anti-aging benefits, brighten the skin, or add radiance.

Now, just to make things a bit more complicated. There are times when an acne treatment is more effective when worn over a bit of moisturizer. If you are seeing redness or irritation, or experiencing dryness due to your acne treatment, try putting on a lightly hydrating serum before you apply the treatment.

6. Facial Oil: Yes, facial oil and serum are often one and the same, and even oily skin types love oils. Again, think order of importance. If you are trying to brighten your skin, even tone, or plump and smooth, use a facial oil more like a serum and apply before moisturizer. If you are more concerned about dryness, pat facial oil on top of your moisturizer to seal in those hydrating ingredients and prevent moisture loss.

7. Moisturizer: Not rocket science, we all know what moisturizer does. Use one with built-in SPF to protect skin during the day. At night, opt for a moisturizer that nourishes your skin.

Do you really need all of these products? What’s more important than using a complete line of skincare, is choosing items geared specifically for your skin type or the issues you are treating. For instance, if you are dealing with breakouts, an acne treatment will do you more good than a hydrating product. Rather than purchasing every product a brand offers, pick and choose what works for you for a custom skincare routine.

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The post Why It’s Important to Apply Natural Skincare in the Right Order (and How to Do It) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Use one (or more!) of these facial toner recipes to optimize your skincare regimen.

Being the stickler I am about my skin, the toner concept always bugged me. Applying a facial toner has been the most neglected part of my skincare regimen to date. Doing so always seemed unnecessary – for me, cleansing and moisturizing did the trick. But was I missing out on something essential and perhaps, game changing?

I came to learn that I was indeed missing out on an important step in attaining and maintaining a healthy, youthful complexion. A facial toner successfully cleans and tightens pores and restores the skin’s natural pH levels. It also can soak up excess oil and remove dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells from the face. Considering the pollutants and stress I’m exposed to on a daily basis, a facial toner was set to make a huge difference for my skin. And, it did!

Even so, I wasn’t about to break the bank for a substance that is more or less flavored water or willing to put alcohol or toxic substances on my face when it is most vulnerable – post-cleansing. I decided to make my own facial toners, one for each of its shifting states throughout the year: oily, sensitive, and dry.

These facial toner recipes are my go-to concoctions. Try them out for yourself and see which works best for you. As a rule, apply a facial toner after cleansing and before moisturizing the skin. All of the following recipes suggest pouring the toners into a spray bottle, so you can apply the tonics as a mist, but you can very well use a cotton ball or pad to dab or lightly rub the toner onto your skin as well.

3 Facial Toner Recipes for 3 Skin Conditions

1. For Oily Skin

Makes ½ cup

Ingredients

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup water
• 3-5 drops of lavender oil

Directions

Pour the apple cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle and shake. The mixture is stable enough and does not need to be stored in the refrigerator.

2. For Sensitive Skin

Makes ½ cup

Ingredients

• ½ cup dried rosebuds
• hot filtered water

Directions

Pour the water over the rosebuds in a small bowl and let sit for one to two hours. While steeping, the essence from the rosebuds will infuse into the water and the water will cool to room temperature. Once finished steeping, strain the mixture and pour the rose water into a spray bottle.

3. For Dry Skin

Makes 1/2 cup

Ingredients

• ½ cup dried rosebuds
• hot filtered water
• 1 drop chamomile oil
• 1 drop geranium oil

Directions

Follow the directions for the sensitive skin toner recipe above. Once finished steeping, strain the mixture and pour the rose water into a spray bottle. Add a drop of both chamomile and geranium oil. Shake to mix.

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Herbal ingredients image via Shutterstock

The post 3 DIY Facial Toners for Oily, Sensitive, and Dry Skin Types appeared first on EcoSalon.

You wear sunscreen every day, exfoliate regularly, and never go to sleep with your makeup on. Still seeing troubled skin? It’s true: some healthy skin habits are too much of a good thing.

Taking good care of your skin and using healthy products is key in maintaining beautiful skin. But overdoing it can damage skin, cause irritation and blemishes, and speed up aging.

Let’s take a look at the top healthy skin care habits women tend to overdo.

6 Healthy Skin Habits You May Be ODing On

1. Over-cleansing: Didn’t know you could get skin too clean? Using a foaming cleanser has definite benefits, but using this product on skin that is dry or sensitive leads to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts. Curb your sudsing by washing skin only when it actually needs it (post workout, when it feels greasy…) and use a cream or oil cleanser the rest of the time.

2. Over-exfoliating: Another skin care technique that tends to get overused is exfoliation. We’ve all heard that this step helps with acne, and keeps skin fresh and glowing. More than once per week (twice if skin is not sensitive) is overkill, and can irritate and damage skin. The best way to exfoliate the face is with non-abrasive fruit acids, which remove dead cells without abrasive granules.

3. Using the wrong healthy skincare: Yes, going nontoxic with your skincare is the healthiest choice. But if you are using skincare that is wrong for your skin type it can be causing problems. If you are experiencing dryness, zits, irritation, or excessive oiliness, chances are you are using the wrong skin care products. Choose skin care designed for your skin type.

4. Going oil-free: For those who battle oily skin, steering clear of excess oil is essential in keeping the complexion clear. But did you know drying out the skin leads to breakouts too? That dry, flaky layer traps the oil your skin creates naturally and causes pimples. Choose products made with healthy natural oils that are formulated for oily and acne prone skin types, and skip the super drying potions.

5. Sticking with your tried and true: So you’ve found the skin care products you love and they love your skin right back. Great! Do you find they don’t work quite as well some months as others? To keep skin balanced and happy year ‘round, switch up your routine for the seasons. It doesn’t have to be a drastic overhaul, but a bit more moisture in the winter and lighter products in summer make all the difference.

6. Using chemical sunscreen: Wear sunscreen daily. We’ve all heard this precaution a thousand times. And you are applying your moisturizer with SPF every day like a good girl. But if that product is made with nasty chemical sunscreens you are doing more harm than good. Opt for a safe mineral sunscreen for face. You can even use a tinted moisturizer and ditch your foundation.

Related on EcoSalon:

Are Your pH Levels Causing Acne or Wrinkles?

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6 Microbead-Free Exfoliating Body Scrubs for Rough Winter Skin

Image of woman looking in mirror via Shutterstock

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