If you've been around these parts for a while or flipped through our archives, you'll know that this started out as a blog named jane + jo + julia. My girls used to pop up here a bit more often, but college + high school are demanding. It's a real treat to have Jo share a little about her skin routine today! Thank you, love bug!
Hey!
I'm Jo, and Jane is my mama. It's been about a year and a half of struggle, but I have finally done it: I have found a natural, mostly zero-waste, quick and easy skin care routine that satisfies skin a tad too beloved by acne. I'm twenty-one and had anticipated being done with acne by this age, but alas, at nineteen or twenty, it got worse. Hurray. However, after trying a slew of products full of harsh chemicals, I have landed on just a few that are gentle, natural and bring me joy. Finally.
Since everyone's skin is different, this might not help yours, but my skin is quite oily in summer, more dry in the winter, and will peel if I use too much product based on harsh chemicals.
burt's bees cleansing oil: as needed
If I am wearing makeup, I will begin by removing it with cleansing oil. I find it to be very easy and effective in removing makeup and hydrating to my skin. It does come in a bottle. however, I can usually go 9+ months without buying a new one... and your fingers? good tools. No need for a cleansing pad, though if they make you feel better? great! reusable organic cotton rounds work.
lush's coalface bar soap: 2 x day
After trying and loving, lush's dark angel mask, I was seeking an alternative that a) is not messy and b) does not require so much water to remove. Luckily, Lush has a solid charcoal soap, and it is incredible. It lasts a long time and has cleared my face more than medicated cleansers. I use this morning and night. I love the way this smells, feels, and works. In addition, I can get the bar cut and put it into a container of my own, making it completely zero-waste.
Hey!
I'm Jo, and Jane is my mama. It's been about a year and a half of struggle, but I have finally done it: I have found a natural, mostly zero-waste, quick and easy skin care routine that satisfies skin a tad too beloved by acne. I'm twenty-one and had anticipated being done with acne by this age, but alas, at nineteen or twenty, it got worse. Hurray. However, after trying a slew of products full of harsh chemicals, I have landed on just a few that are gentle, natural and bring me joy. Finally.
Since everyone's skin is different, this might not help yours, but my skin is quite oily in summer, more dry in the winter, and will peel if I use too much product based on harsh chemicals.
burt's bees cleansing oil: as needed
If I am wearing makeup, I will begin by removing it with cleansing oil. I find it to be very easy and effective in removing makeup and hydrating to my skin. It does come in a bottle. however, I can usually go 9+ months without buying a new one... and your fingers? good tools. No need for a cleansing pad, though if they make you feel better? great! reusable organic cotton rounds work.
lush's coalface bar soap: 2 x day
After trying and loving, lush's dark angel mask, I was seeking an alternative that a) is not messy and b) does not require so much water to remove. Luckily, Lush has a solid charcoal soap, and it is incredible. It lasts a long time and has cleared my face more than medicated cleansers. I use this morning and night. I love the way this smells, feels, and works. In addition, I can get the bar cut and put it into a container of my own, making it completely zero-waste.
 i had bought ten dollars worth of coalface and cut it in half, resulting in the large untouched chunk to the right, and the current used half above, which has shrunk with about two months of use. in other words, the larger chunk is only half of what i purchased for ten dollars. i have been using coalface for a year and only purchased it twice. next time i will remember to bring my container and forgo the compostable paper! |  |
lush's grease lightning gel: 2 x day
This is a tea tree oil and aloe gel spot treatment, also including ingredients like thyme and grape juice. Not only does it last forever, but also it works on my cystic acne. I've had my small bottle for nine months and I'm half through.
lush's ocean salt scrub: 2 x week
Once a week or so I will dip into this scrub to exfoliate and clear my face, before using healing clay. I love Lush's scrubs, because when you return five empty pots, you receive a mask/scrub for free, and they recycle the containers. I also use one of these containers to store my coalface.
aztec secret indian healing clay : 2 x week, nighttime
I pat a very small pile into my palm and drip over some diluted vinegar. The clay fizzles into a cream, and I use this as a spot treatment or mask. The clay can be left on for around 5-10 minutes. Truly magic and 100% natural. I think Jane and I bought the 24oz pot to share two or three years ago, and it looks like we haven't made a dent, as the powder is extremely fine. This helps my acne so much, but I deeply recommend moisturizing afterwards. Sometimes I use a very small amount of the cleansing oil and rinse before moisturizing.
This is a tea tree oil and aloe gel spot treatment, also including ingredients like thyme and grape juice. Not only does it last forever, but also it works on my cystic acne. I've had my small bottle for nine months and I'm half through.
lush's ocean salt scrub: 2 x week
Once a week or so I will dip into this scrub to exfoliate and clear my face, before using healing clay. I love Lush's scrubs, because when you return five empty pots, you receive a mask/scrub for free, and they recycle the containers. I also use one of these containers to store my coalface.
aztec secret indian healing clay : 2 x week, nighttime
I pat a very small pile into my palm and drip over some diluted vinegar. The clay fizzles into a cream, and I use this as a spot treatment or mask. The clay can be left on for around 5-10 minutes. Truly magic and 100% natural. I think Jane and I bought the 24oz pot to share two or three years ago, and it looks like we haven't made a dent, as the powder is extremely fine. This helps my acne so much, but I deeply recommend moisturizing afterwards. Sometimes I use a very small amount of the cleansing oil and rinse before moisturizing.
For the most part, this routine keeps my skin on the clear side. On the topic of products I'm reluctant to admit I still use, I do occasionally use Clean and Clear's Persa-gel for very stubborn acne, and Neutrogena's Oil-free Acne Moisturizer twice a day. I have high hopes of phasing these products out, and I've made progress on doing so. I would love any recommendations for a natural moisturizer that will jive with acne.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lush, as they ethically create natural, effective products. They are also creating more and more zero-waste products. These products have been absolutely worth it.
x Take care,
Jo
p.s. On the topic of acne scars, of which I have many, vitamin-e oil works quite well! And acceptance. There's that too.
p.p.s. And supplements too! I have noticeably clearer skin while I take fish oil and zinc supplements.
p.p.p.s. Aaand for some reason I included my deodorant in a photo. I use the travel size of the crystal Jane has previously mentioned. What a darlin'....both Jane and the deodorant. Haha. Both keep me tolerable. Haha. Okay, thanks for having me.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lush, as they ethically create natural, effective products. They are also creating more and more zero-waste products. These products have been absolutely worth it.
x Take care,
Jo
p.s. On the topic of acne scars, of which I have many, vitamin-e oil works quite well! And acceptance. There's that too.
p.p.s. And supplements too! I have noticeably clearer skin while I take fish oil and zinc supplements.
p.p.p.s. Aaand for some reason I included my deodorant in a photo. I use the travel size of the crystal Jane has previously mentioned. What a darlin'....both Jane and the deodorant. Haha. Both keep me tolerable. Haha. Okay, thanks for having me.
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