Organic Beauty Archives - Blue Bottle Passion

January 18, 2020 by Sue 1 Comment

The Sensitive Skin Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Finally effective skincare that is kind to sensitive skin!

And at this time of year, isn’t everyone’s skin is sensitive?!

The second biggest skincare concern after aging well, is sensitive skin. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Sensitive Collection is dermatologist tested and approved, fragrance free, alcohol free and certified organic. If you have ever experienced redness, irritation or excessive dryness and sensitivity, read on!

Many women with sensitive skin experience dryness, however products aimed at dry or atopic skin are frequently formulated to reduce water loss by acting as a barrier which locks in moisture. This is not always appropriate for sensitive skin as that can cause itching and irritation. The Sensitive Collection is formulated to encourage a healthier skin barrier while allowing skin to ‘breathe’.

Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser

A perfect morning and evening routine begins with cleansing. Sensitive Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser cleanses, hydrates, refreshes and soothes for 12 hours. Skin soothing oat extract moisturizes and plumps and hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules, helping to plump the top layers of the skin.

Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum

Just two drops of Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum after cleansing provides a restoring blend of sodium hyaluronate, helichrysum and sea water extracts, and hydrating hyaluronic acid and smoothing oat extract, reducing the appearance of redness over time, and fine lines and wrinkles appear visibly plumped.

Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser

Finish your routine with Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser. A combination of skin-conditioning fatty acids, antioxidant-rich oat oil and helichrysum extract soothes, comforts and nourishes skin. Massage onto face and neck following cleansing and serum with gentle upward strokes until fully absorbed.

What’s left out?

What you won’t find in the Sensitive Collection is every bit as important as what is in it. Fragrance and alcohol are frequent irritants for many, and they are left out of the Sensitive Collection. Neal’s Yard Remedies has a list of 10 ingredients that could cause you or the planet harm, that you will never find in their products. Among them are ingredients derived from petroleum, an irritant for many.

Pamper your sensitive skin and protect it from harsh weather, dry air and the stress of hectic living with the clinically proven Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies! As with all Neal’s Yard Remedies products, you are protected with a 45 day guarantee. And if you hurry, you can save $40 when you try the trio while supplies last before February 9th, 2020!

Read about easing facial redness here!

December 10, 2019 by Sue 1 Comment

5 Reasons to Try a Silk Pillowcase

Could the secret to better skin and hair be as simple as trying a silk pillowcase?

This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality. Any commission I receive from your purchases will offset the expense of this blog. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Your face and hair are in contact with your pillowcase for one third of your life. Think about it. The oils from your hair, residue from makeup, sweat, all of this is absorbed by cotton pillowcases. And most of us wash our sheets once a week. Is it any wonder we have occasional breakouts and facial irritation? Maybe it’s time to add a silk pillowcase to your beauty regime.

Wrinkle Prevention

There is a reason we say smooth as silk. Cotton causes friction and tugging on your skin. It makes sense that if your pillow glides against your face, rather than tugs on it, you may prevent wrinkles and creases.

Facial Products Stay on your Skin

Cotton absorbs your moisturizers and serums, as well as sweat and oils from your hair. Using a silk pillowcase allows your serums and moisturizers to stay on your skin. Your skin stays more hydrated, even in winter.

Hair Benefits

If your hair has a tendency to be dry, it will benefit from a silk pillowcase. The smooth texture will help prevent frizz and dry scalp issues. Hair glides across the surface, so you will wake with less tangles, breakage and fewer split ends.

Temperature Regulation

Because silk doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton does, a silk pillowcase can keep you cool and dry all night.

Sensitive Skin Benefits

Silk pillowcases may help those with sensitive skin. Because silk is less abrasive, those with rosacea may notice less redness. Cotton is so absorbent, any hair products you’ve applied during the day can end up getting rubbed against your face. Those hair products can contain many things that are not so good for your skin.

Whether you sleep on your back, toss and turn all night, or sleep on your side with your face ground into your pillow, a silk pillowcase is worth a try. You can find silk pillowcases at many department stores. It’s a small investment with the potential for huge benefits!

Have trouble sleeping? Read how to Sleep Beautifully Organically!

July 30, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

NYR Organic’s Hand Treatment Serum Is Not For Everyone

Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum visibly smooths, firms and evens skin tone on your hands
to help you age well!

If you are a woman of a certain age, you know two things will give away your age besides your face. Your neck and your hands. Are you beginning to notice lines, wrinkles and age spots, also known as liver spots-ugh! or hyperpigmentation on your hands? My fair skin is more prone to aging, and I can tell you I’ve wished white gloves would come back in style more than once. Well, maybe there’s a better solution! I can’t promise your hands will look 10 years younger, but you may stop thinking about wearing white gloves. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is the Rolls Royce of hand treatments and is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of age spots! And like the Rolls Royce, it may not be for everyone.

Smooths

You will notice a visibly smoother appearance of lines and wrinkles after the first use! Restoring ribose reduces lines and wrinkles, while sodium hyaluronate acts as a moisture magnet.

Firms

Reviving narcissus extract visibly increases skins firmness.

Evens Skin Tone

Rosehip oil, rich in provitamin A, and antioxidant turmeric extract is clinically proven to even skin tone and target age spots.

Enhances Wellbeing

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) is traditionally used for its deeply relaxing, therapeutic aroma. Combined with a blend of mandarin, bergamot, neroli and myrrh essential oils, this aroma will have you slowing down and breathing deeper for a moment of pampering. Used twice a day it will enhance your wellbeing and soothe your senses.

Hand Treatment Serum Pro Tips

Exfoliate the skin on your hands once or twice a week with Nourishing Melissa Hand Polish to smooth and nourish dull, dry hands before applying Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum. Simply wet your hands and massage the polish into the skin gently. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a small amount of hand treatment serum. For extra dry hands, follow the serum with your favorite Neal’s Yard Remedies hand cream.

So why do I say isn’t Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum for everyone? Of course if you are under 40, your hands are probably baby-soft and smooth. Not everyone is prepared to splurge on improving the appearance of their hands. I just got my bottle of hand serum, so I can’t tell you how long it will last, but you only use a small amount, twice a day. I was hooked after the first treatment. Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is worth the price and will make an amazing gift for your mom!

Check out this post for more Age Well tips!

June 30, 2019 by Sue 3 Comments

7 Simple Tips for Aging Well

We can agree we all want to age well. Aging well doesn’t have to involve drastic measures like plastic surgery or liposuction. Aging well can be small, simple steps taken for big results.

1. Be Aware of the Sun

The first step is the most obvious. I personally don’t believe the sun is my enemy, but with my fair and easily burned skin, I do wear a hat and use sunscreen when I’m outdoors for an extended period during the middle of the day. Don’t choose just any sunscreen, however. Some contain questionable ingredients. Check out the sunscreens at Made Safe™

2. Use a Moisturizer

It’s a fact. As you age, your skin produces less oil. Dry skin looks older. Dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles, but aging skin becomes more dry. My favorite moisturizer protects, firms, lifts and recontours. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many wonderful moisturizers for different skin types, but I’m in love with Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream

3. Exfoliate

As you age, skin renewal slows down, leaving your face with dulling, dead skin cells on the surface. Exfoliating speeds up the process of renewing your skin, helping your skin retain its youthful glow. Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish gently exfoliates and enriches normal to dehydrated skin with wild rose seed powder, milk thistle and aloe vera.

4. Avoid Bar Soap to Cleanse the Face

I get it. I never felt my face was clean unless I washed it with Ivory soap and water. When you are young you can get by with it, but soap is too harsh for aging skin. My recommendation is Frankincense Refining Cleanser.

5. Use an Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is different from the rest of your face. Using your facial moisturizer in the eye area can cause puffiness or irritation. Eye cream is formulated for the thinner, more sensitive area around the eyes. Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that’s starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Check out my post on why you need eye cream.

6. Remove Makeup Before Bed

Going to bed without removing your makeup is a big fat no-no. Your makeup and the oils and dirt that build up over the day can settle in your pores, clogging them and causing breakouts. Your moisturizer should be applied to clean skin to work properly, especially if it has anti-aging ingredients. Eye makeup can damage your lashes. Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Makeup Remover is Dermatologically and Opthamologically tested, conditions lashes and removes even water-proof eye makeup.

7. Give Up the Products You’ve Used Since You Were a Teenager

My go to product in my teenage years was Noxzema. Great for oily teenage skin, but would not help with my lines and wrinkles. Are you using the same products you used as a teenager? Maybe it’s time to try an age-defying option. I’d love to help you choose the perfect Neal’s Yard Remedies products for your skin type. Continue the age well discussion over on Facebook.

Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

May 7, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

5 Simple Tips for Soothing Facial Redness

Facial redness is a common concern among women, and has many causes. Hormones, stress, broken capillaries, too much sun, wind, heat, cold, as well as rosacea can contribute to excessively red skin. A significant cause can also be sensitivity to synthetic fragrance or perfume. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many products to alleviate excessive facial redness, and help your skin look its best, even without makeup.

A red or ruddy complexion can simply be red, irritated skin, or redness with oily tendencies and pimples. Different types of products can be tried depending on which type of redness is occurring.

Soothing Starflower

The Soothing Starflower Collection, also known as borage, range of products is blended with calming aloe vera, licorice and alpine flower. This dermatologist-tested, alcohol and fragrance free collection soothes and calms sensitive skin.

White Tea has antioxidant properties and can calm and rehydrate all skin types. White Tea Facial Mist is perfect for sensitive skin. It contains soothing aloe vera and a quick spritz will instantly refresh and rehydrate, even over makeup.

Ease Redness With Roses

Rehydrating Rose Facial Oil soothes and balances while it locks in precious moisture and restores radiance. Many women find Wild Rose Beauty Elixir calms red, sensitive skin with wild rosehip oil. Though it may not benefit all with facial redness, some have also found relief with Wild Rose Beauty Balm, containing wild rose seed oil and starflower seed oil. Apply Wild Rose Beauty Balm as a thin, protective layer before venturing out in the cold, or even before a hot yoga class.

Clarifying Mahonia Skin Gel balances blemished skin, and is perfect to throw in your purse for on-the-spot treatment. It contains soothing calendula and aloe vera.

Beauty From Within

Supporting your skin with Frankincense Intense Beauty Boost is a great addition to your “age well” routine and supports your skin’s radiance and collagen production from within. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation. Biotin and zinc help maintain healthy skin, and copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.

Many of us are struggling with excessive facial redness. Keeping a diary about what’s going on when flare-ups occur can be beneficial in pinpointing triggers. Watch to see if hot, cold or windy weather is a factor. Diet, including hot beverages and spicy foods could worsen the condition. Read the labels on your skin care products to make sure they are free of synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Neal’s Yard Remedies products have a forty-five (45) day, 100% money-back, satisfaction guarantee so you can shop with confidence. Consult with your medical provider for treatment of any medical condition.

Read about the Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies HERE!

Let’s connect in the Perfectly Organic VIP Group and get better acquainted!

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March 12, 2019 by Sue 1 Comment

Why You Need Eye Cream

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the area around them is a billboard announcing your age. On the one hand, we women just want to age well. On the other, age discrimination in the work place is real, and no matter what age you are, you want to be taken seriously. This is the world we live in.

The skin around your eyes ages faster

I know. Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Why a separate product around the eyes? The skin around your eyes is different than the rest of your face. It’s thinner, more delicate, and less elastic. It’s prone to dryness, puffiness and dark circles, and shows signs of aging faster than other areas of your face. Regular moisturizer applied too close to your eyes can increase puffiness, and cause makeup to settle in the fine lines.

Less is more

Start with a small amount of eye cream on your ring finger, about the size of a piece of rice, then share that small amount between both of your ring fingers. Dot gently to the orbital bone area around your eyes until fully absorbed. The product will be drawn in to the areas that need it. For best results apply morning and night. Depending on the time of year and your particular skin type, you may find one product works better than another, or that once a day is all you need. If you are using a product in a jar, use a spatula. It helps prevent product contamination, and with getting the correct amount. A little goes a long way with all these products.

Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that is starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes, which are some of the second signs of aging. 71% of women agreed their eye area was visibly lifted based on consumer trials on more than 100 women after 6 weeks. This cream comes in a small jar, has a lightweight texture, and is ophthalmologist tested. Ribose, linseed extract and micro algae help to lift the eye area. Hyaluronic acid helps to plump and hydrate to smooth deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. A blend of green tea caffeine, turmeric extract, and organic green coffee seed oil, helps to revive the eye area. The Frankincense Active Phyto Complex helps to protect against environmental factors that accelerate skin aging, as well as supporting Neal’s Yard Remedies sustainability mission towards creating zero-waste products. And…it’s one of nine awards Neal’s Yard Remedies won in the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards for BEST FIRMING EYE CREAM!

Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream

A 3-Peptide Complex in Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream increases skin’s suppleness and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, which are the first signs of aging. Gardenia stem cells and sodium hyaluronate help protect and enhance skin plumpness and hydration. Green tea caffeine extract revitalizes skin and antioxidant-rich argan oil helps keep skin looking healthy, reducing puffiness around the eyes.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum hydrates the skin around the eye and lip area and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, with frankincense; baobab oil, marine algae and smoothing tripeptides. This serum is suitable for all skin types.

Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream

Neal’s Yard Remedies Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream is a light silky and easily absorbed cream suitable for all skin types. It nourishes and hydrates the delicate eye area to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle.

White Tea Toning Eye Gel

If you prefer the texture of a gel-type product, Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel is for you. Soothing and cooling witch hazel, glycerin and aloe refresh even sensitive skin. Anti-oxidant white tea limits the production of free radicals, which can damage the skin. And guys, you may want to consider giving this one a try!

So how do you know which product is best for you? You definitely want a product made with natural and non-toxic ingredients when you are dealing with a sensitive area like around the eyes. Either Frankincense Intense™ product is the way to go if you are looking for an age-defying eye cream. (My personal favorites!) White Tea Toning Eye Gel is perfect for those with sensitive skin and who prefer a gel texture. If you prefer a pump dispenser over a jar, Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream and Rejuvenating Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum are the way to go. Whatever skin care products you use, now is the time to add an eye cream to your skin care routine!

Let’s continue the discussion over on Facebook! Join me there for a limited time special offer…

September 30, 2018 by Sue 1 Comment

Neal’s Yard Remedies 2018 Organic Holiday Gifts

Once again, Neal’s Yard Remedies / NYR Organic has outdone themselves with stunning organic holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

It may not feel like the holidays are right around the corner, but they have a tendency of sneaking up on me. The Neal’s Yard Remedies 2018 organic holiday gifts are beginning to show up, and there is something for everyone! Starting at $18 and up, you’re sure to find the perfect gift to fit your budget.

Skincare

The first one I HAVE to have, is the Frankincense Intense Lift – Age Defence Collection. This gift box includes full sizes of the Frankincense Intense Lift Serum, Frankincense Intense Lift Cream, and Frankincense Intense Lift Eye Cream. This is the ultimate gift for the woman who prefers a holistic approach to aging well naturally. The Frankincense Intense Lift collection helps to reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. The highest quality frankincense sustainably sourced from the resin of the Boswellia sacra trees of Oman is collected, sorted and distilled to extract the pure essential oil used in these amazing products.

The Rejuvenate Frankincense Collection has been a favorite since my beginning days as a consultant. This gift box is a complete skincare routine including full sizes of the Frankincense Refining Cleanser and Frankincense Hydrating Cream, as well as a travel size Rejuvenating Frankincense Toner and an organic muslin face cloth. Perfect for all skin types.

Every year the gift that sells out the quickest is the One Pot Wonder – Wild Rose Beauty Balm Gift and it’s no wonder. (ha ha) I’ve written about what this amazing balm can do in a previous post, and it gets down to what doesn’t it do?

Bath and Body

Whether you prefer a quick shower, or a long, luxurious bath, we got you covered. The Revive Your Senses – Shower Gel Collection and the Sink Into Bliss – Foaming Bath Collection make perfect gifts for yourself or that special someone.

For the Home

New this year is the Warm Your Soul – Hand Wash and Lotion Collection. Warm your soul and delight your guests over the holidays with the festive aromas of orange, mandarin, clove and cinnamon organic essential oils in this hand wash and lotion gift. Included is an elegant ceramic dish as well as a 6.76 oz hand wash and lotion in a gorgeous gift box. Keep it by your sink for a welcoming treat, or give it as the perfect hostess gift.

The elegant bamboo diffuser is a great gift, as it fits with any decor. Choose a couple of essential oils to go with The Esta Aromatherapy Diffuser, and you will have an amazing gift.

The most popular Neal’s Yard Remedies 2018 holiday gifts can sell out early, so don’t wait too long! Check them all out here.

Keep up with all the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies / NYR Organic news, specials and products on Facebook!

August 1, 2018 by Sue Leave a Comment

Introducing Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream

Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is now available in the USA!

I’ve been a huge fan of Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Eye Cream for the past two years. I saw a reduction in the (not so) fine lines around my eyes after two applications! Since I began using the “Lift” serum and cream, I continued with the eye cream. Once I heard there would be a “Lift” eye cream, I couldn’t wait to try it. Can an eye cream be life changing? I never would have guessed how important an eye cream is to a skincare routine!

Why Use a Separate Eye Cream?

The skin near the eyes is thinner and more prone to UV damage, congestion and dehydration. Using a facial moisturizer too close to the eyes can actually cause puffiness. Not the look we want!

What Makes Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream Special?

From the moment you feel the lightweight, ophthalmologist tested silky, smooth cream to the non-sticky sensation after it’s applied, you will know this eye cream is special. It’s scientifically formulated to target skin beginning to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and crow’s feet. You’ll love that it’s an amazing, organic alternative to the synthetic anti-aging products on the market. It’s loaded with ingredients to improve the area near your eyes.

green tea caffeine
turmeric – brightens and increases radiance
organic free coffee seed oil – antioxidant and essential fatty acid
restoring ribose
redefining linseed extract
stimulating micro algae
hyaluronic acid – hydrates and plumps
Frankincense Active Photo Complex – helps protect against environmental factors that accelerate skin aging

How to use Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream

Apply Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream to clean skin morning and evening. Using your ring finger, dot a small amount of cream, about the size of a cooked grain of rice, around the orbital bone of the eyes, then lightly dab in until fully absorbed. For maximum results, apply after Frankincense Intense™ Lift Serum and before Lift Cream, however you can certainly enjoy the benefits of this eye cream with whatever skin care products you are using.

Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is made with 82% organic ingredients. Like other Neal’s Yard Remedies / NYR Organic products, a little goes a long way. Speaking from experience, the NYR eye cream I have been using lasts me about 6 months, so I would expect this one would as well. All Neal’s Yard Remedies products are covered by their 45 day satisfaction guarantee.

Now if only there was a Frankincense Intense™ Lift Neck Cream, or perhaps I just a nice, pretty scarf…

The best way to get the latest NYR Organic / Neal’s Yard Remedies news and specials is to subscribe to the monthly eNewsletter and join my Facebook group! What are you waiting for?

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June 22, 2018 by Sue 4 Comments

Is it Time to Deal With Your Old Makeup Cemetery?

How long is too long to keep expired makeup?

I had cataract surgery today, and I have to tell you, cataract surgery is a definite reminder you’re not a kid anymore. But that’s a blog post for another time. My discharge instructions included telling me to throw out all my old eye makeup, and buy fresh.

I don’t mind the idea of buying new eye makeup. I love shopping online, reading reviews. But I have a confession to make, to you, my dear friends. I have hoarding tendencies. I’ve had an empty mascara with an awesome brush on it forever, that works just right to remove the excess clumps another mascara tends to leave. There’s the foundation I bought for a special wedding that was how many years ago? I have makeup that I have replaced with newer makeup, but it wasn’t quite bad enough to throw out, so why not keep it in my travel bag? I haven’t used nail polish regularly for years, but I have a shoebox full of cute little bottles. How about those small bottles of shampoo and conditioner in hotels? I always think I’m going to use them for travel, but I never do. And then there are my Neal’s Yard Remedies products. A little goes a long way, but when a shiny new product comes out that I want to try, I can’t always wait until I use up the old.

When I was telling my sister, Nancy, about this dilemma, she said her friend Ana refers to this as the old makeup graveyard or cemetery. Well this is the push I need to deal with my old, expired makeup cemetery.

How Long Can You Keep Makeup?

Well it depends on the product. Neal’s Yard Remedies labels have information about how long to keep a product once it’s opened. Check out this blog post to better understand Neal’s Yard Remedies labels. Here in the US companies aren’t required to put expiration dates on cosmetics. Guidelines for when to throw vary.

Mascara should be tossed anywhere between 2 and 6 months. Liquid and gel eyeliner from 90 days to 1 year. Foundation lasts from 6-12 months, with pump bottles lasting up to 2 years. Powdered blush and eye shadow can last up to 2 years, and lip sticks and lip liners 1 year. Nail polish lasts about a year.

Keeping it Fresh

Makeup is an investment, and there are a few things you can do to keep it fresh. Wash your hands before applying your makeup. Keep your jars and bottles tightly sealed. Use a spatula for products in jars, rather than sticking your fingers in the product, and wash the spatula in between using. Sharpen the tips on eyeliner and lipliner pencils. Wash your makeup brushes regularly.

Powders and dry products last longer than products with water in them. Finally, be aware of changes in color, textures and smells, and throw anything that seems off, regardless of how long you’ve had it. It’s not worth an eye infection, or worse.

Next Task

My next eye procedure is coming up in a little over a week. I guess I’ll be dealing with the glasses graveyard next, because I’ve kept close to 50 years of them as backups, lol! Anyone need a pair of vintage glasses from the 80s?

Join my Facebook community for fun, information and the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news!

May 21, 2018 by Sue 1 Comment

Why Organic Skincare Saves Money on Make-up

Is there anything more important when it comes to appearance than your face? Taking care of your skin is crucial. Is your daily skincare routine cleansing, feeding and strengthening your skin, or damaging and aging it with chemicals and toxins?

Maybe you don’t feel you have the time for a healthy skincare routine. If you have been slacking in the skincare department and using a heavy foundation to cover up skin issues, you may be creating bigger problems. Heavy foundations could be clogging your skin, settling in wrinkles and fine lines, making “peach fuzz” more prominent, and dulling your face with thick, cakey make-up.

Imagine your skin looking so great, all you need is perhaps a light CC cream to even out your color, or just a brush of mineral make-up, some mascara and lip gloss. How would it feel to be ready to go out the door with minimal effort each day? How much time and money would that save?

As we age, less is more when it comes to make-up. Talc-based foundations can dry out skin, and dehydrated skin accentuates fine lines and pores. Ingredients to avoid in make-up are harsh, drying sulfates, mineral oil which can irritate and inflame, and chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone.

Cleanse and Tone

Whatever routine you have to care for your skin, cleansing before bed is important. Choose a cleanser for your particular skin type. Follow cleansing with toner. Toner balances and sweeps away the last traces of cleanser, and prepares your skin to better absorb serum and moisturizer.

Serum and Moisturizer

Serums are magical potions designed to penetrate deeper in the skin, and therefore many are able to smooth and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while increasing radiance. A good moisturizing cream plumps and hydrates for a lifted and recontoured appearance. Serums and moisturizers work best when used together, however younger skin may not need the serum.

Even Out the Color

Once you begin a healthy skincare routine, you may need to even out the color of your complexion. Your choices are foundation, BB cream, CC cream or tinted moisturizer. How much coverage you need, and time you want to spend in the morning will determine which product is best for you. You may be able to get by with a CC cream (color correcting) or tinted moisturizer after cleansing and toning in the morning. (Shhh! Or just toning, if you are really in a hurry!) I find toning and serum followed by a CC cream works best for me.

I recommend giving a new skincare routine 30 days or more to give your skin a chance to replace the old skin cells with new. If your skin is super sensitive, it may be best to introduce or replace one product at a time. Neal’s Yard Remedies Skincare Kits are a great way to test drive an organic skincare routine, and are perfect for travel. If you have any questions about which products are best for your skin type, check out the information on the Skincare Organic Collections Neal’s Yard Remedies has to offer, or contact me.

For the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news and specials, join me on Facebook!