Transitioning Your Skin to Natural Products
Simple is best when switching skincare products. Stick with a cleanser and a moisturizer before adding additional serums to minimize reactions.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and everything you put on it get’s absorbed into your bloodstream. Switching to natural skincare is the the easiest way to improve both your skin and your overall health!
You wouldn’t slather harmful chemicals on your brain, so don’t do it to your skin! By eliminating harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients, you’re nurturing your skin with safe, plant-based, and nutrient-rich products. Transitioning from chemical-based products typically requires some effort to ensure your skin adapts smoothly. Here's a step-by-step guide to transitioning your skincare routine to natural products, complete with product recommendations to make the process effortless.
Please Note: I am not a doctor, so consult with yours if you have serious skin concerns!
Why I Switched to Natural Skincare
I dealt with cystic acne all through high school, and later on, hormonal acne near my jaw that never seemed to clear up. I had a healthy diet, mostly unprocessed with plenty of water, exercised regularly, but no amount of spot treatment or intense cleanser was helping. I was using common drugstore products like astringent and harsh cleansers with “micro-beads” and “apricot exfoliants” (you know the culprits) to try and get rid of the acne, thinking that it was occurring because my skin was full of dirt and oil - this was before I learned that your skin is supposed to have oil in order to be healthy. I was embarrassed about how it looked so I layered foundation and concealer on my skin to hide the blemishes, which only made them worse. I didn’t have anyone who I felt I could go to for help, and it ended up taking me YEARS to realize it was the products I was using that were causing my acne.
Since swapping my skincare with clean alternatives, the cystic acne disappeared. I don’t want you to struggle before making the switch to natural, so I broke it down and laid it all out for you in a simple process.
FACT: Your skin is the largest organ in your body!
Step 1: Simplify Your Routine
When transitioning to natural skincare, start by simplifying your routine. Stick to the basics: cleansing and moisturizing. This goes for your whole body, not just your face. This also makes it easier to pinpoint any reactions or improvements in your skin as you switch products.
Oil-Based Cleanser to Remove Makeup:
Try the Primally Pure Cleansing Oil (Shop Here). This gentle, oil-based cleanser effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping your skin's natural oils. If you choose this cleanser, get their Baby Bar as well to gently double-cleanse and make sure that all the makeup is removed.Herbal Cleanser:
Try the Epicuren Herbal Cleanser (Shop Here). This gentle foaming gel contains antioxidants and plant extracts, thoroughly cleansing the skin while maintaining optimum moisture.Moisturizer Recommendation:
The Epicuren Colostrum Luminous Glow Cream (Shop Here) is a rich, luxurious moisturizer packed with nutritionally rich and healing colostrum and natural antioxidants to promote hydration and a radiant complexion.
When you’re hydrated, it’s much easier for damaged cells to repair themselves.
Step 2: Transition Slowly and HYDRATE
Introduce new products gradually, and be sure to drink plenty of water throughout this process. When you’re hydrated, it’s much easier for your cells to repair themselves. I was plenty hydrated, but I did not change products gradually. I was so fed up with my skin that I switched everything all at once. Initially, my skin was not happy. After all, I had been relying on harsh cleansers and my skin had little to know barrier to be able to repair itself. After a couple months, my skin was visibly improving, but if I were to do it all over again, I would swap out my cleanser and moisturizer and wait 1–2 weeks for my skin to adjust to them before adding additional products like serums or exfoliators.
Step 3: Potential Detox Phase
As your skin adjusts to natural products, it might go through a detox phase. You may notice mild breakouts or dryness as your skin purges toxins from synthetic products. Be patient and stay hydrated — this phase typically lasts 1–3 weeks.
A gently exfoliating bar soap is helpful to remove dead skin cells, making way for new, refreshed cells.
Step 4: Protect and Glow
Natural sunscreens and makeup products can help you maintain a clean beauty routine without sacrificing effectiveness.
Makeup Recommendation:
Try Merit Beauty's Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (Shop Here) for a lightweight, clean foundation that enhances your natural glow.Sunscreen Recommendation:
Ideally, just wear a hat (my personal favorite is this roll-up sun visor from San Diego Hat Company) and UV protective clothing, like linen. But if you want to wear sunscreen, look for ingredients that you could eat (but it won’t taste good…), such as Sky and Sol’s Tallow-Based Face and Body Sunscreen (Shop Here).
Step 5: Listen to Your Skin
Everyone's skin is unique, so pay attention to how yours reacts during the transition. If you experience persistent irritation, review the ingredient list of the products you’re using. Even natural ingredients like essential oils can sometimes cause sensitivities.
Keep a wide-brim hat or my personal favorite, a roll-up visor, on hand so you always have a form of sun protection!
When in Doubt, Talk to a Professional
As I said before, I am not a doctor, I am not an esthetician, I am simply a regular human who happens to be deeply passionate about natural skincare and wellness. I personally recommend scheduling a virtual consultation with Staci Christie and discussing any skin concerns you have. She is incredibly knowledgeable and helped me tailor my skincare routine to combat hormonal acne. She recommended double cleansing by removing makeup first with micellar water or an oil-based cleanser, followed by the herbal cleanser I was already using (Epicuren Herbal Cleanser) with the SpaCells facial sponge. The real game changer was pouring a little purified water on a cotton round and gently wiping my face after rinsing to remove any impurities from the tap water, followed by the Epicuren colostrum moisturizer. If you have any struggles or concerns about your skin, I HIGHLY recommend scheduling a virtual consultation with her.
You can reach out to Staci here!
Bonus Tips for Success
Hydrate, Hydrate, HYDRATE: I said it before and I’ll say it again!! Drink PLENTY of water! I aim for 3 of my Stanley’s per day. That doesn’t always happen, but hey, it’s the thought that counts!
Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin, it’s recommended to patch test new products on a small area of skin before full application to make sure you don’t have any reactions.
Be Consistent: Stick with your new routine for at least a month to allow your skin time to adapt and show results. You got this!
Brands I Love and Recommend
(NOT Sponsored | I love these companies based on personal skin experience!)
Primally Pure - Face and Body Skincare
Merit Beauty - Makeup
Epicuren - Skincare
Agent Nateur - Skincare
Sky and Sol - Sunscreen
Lily Hill Tallow Co. - Tallow Based Body Skincare
Have you switched to natural skincare? Share your experience in the comments below!
Bonus points if you grow a luffa gourd in your garden and make your own sponges ;)
