I get a lot of compliments about my skin “glowing” or looking “flawless.” First of all, it isn’t exactly flawless, but THANK YOU. I’ll have to admit, it has been a very long time coming. At one point it got so bad that when I first started dating Nick, his mom went to Sephora and was about to buy a zit zapper for me, but settled on suggesting Proactiv and “advice” on clearing the bumps on my forehead.

I’ve made it through burning my skin using super harsh chemicals, I’ve tried just about everything on the shelves, and I struggled with my confidence for so long because of it.

I’m proud of where I am now, but I’m even happier because my regimen is super simple, cost effective, and HEALTHY!

Remember what we learned when we were kids? Keep it simple, right? Well, that’s exactly how I keep my skin happy, healthy, and CLEAR. Here is my regimen:

1. Oil as a makeup remover. I’ve saved so much money with this simple hack, not to mention it’s super convenient, and all natural.

2. Wash with a gentle cleanser. For the longest time I was convinced that I needed something with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid because of my skin concerns. It wasn’t until I got pregnant with J (and switched to something less harsh in fear of chemicals being absorbed into my body) that I realized my skin could flourish with something gentle. Granted since I’ve gotten older, so much has changed in terms of the way I eat and my water intake now, but it does make me wonder if the skin concerns I had were agitated from my own doing.

3. Apple cider vinegar makes for a wonderful toner/astrigent. Don’t forget to dilute it with water so it isn’t too acidic for your face.

4. Use a lightweight moisturizer. While many use products that contain natural oils, I have found that as of now, an oil free moisturizer works best for me for daily purposes. I also look for a moisturizer that is fragrance free and contains SPF. (Always wear your protection peeps, skin cancer is real!)

5. Aloe is one of my best friends. No lie. Aloe is always there for me. Among other things, I love it’s anti-inflammatory properties which is why I apply it to my face at night, concentrating on problem areas like redness or blemishes I may have. Nine times out of ten I will awake to the problem significantly smaller if not gone completely.

6. Have you been introduced to the magical goodness that is jojoba oil? It is liquid gold, I tell you. I rely on jojoba oil as my first choice makeup remover, a moisturizer for my hair, and I’ve used it on my skin as well (for dry patches, for example). This is without a doubt my favorite oil, and probably the oil I feel MOST confident in using on my face because it is non-comedegenic so it does not clog pores. I will definitely be creating a post of it’s own about this one.

Another one of my favorite tips (not mentioned) is using milk of magnesia as a makeup primer. This is another LIFE CHANGING hack. I’ve never had an issue with my skin breaking out or having an adverse effect, and my makeup really stays put with this primer. I would caution to apply a THIN layer to your face (or just oilier areas), as it is super mattifying and may leave a bit of a white cast on your face. If you are someone who prefers a light to medium coverage, keep this in mind so you can don’t break your arm blending it all in.

I would LOVE to hear your healthy skincare practices. Share below so we can drink from the fountain of youth together! 😉