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a nearly zero-waste skin care routine

12/19/2017

8 Comments

 
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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. 
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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!
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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. 
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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.
8 Comments
Priscilla Bettis link
12/19/2017 11:14:24 am

What a thorough post about your regimen and suggestions, thanks! I have finally gotten to the age where acne is no longer a concern, and I haven't gotten to the stage of desperately dry skin, either. I am blessed to be able to use a basic bar of soap: inexpensive, little or no packaging. I encourage people with skin that doesn't give them any trouble to keep their routine simple.

Reply
jo
1/1/2018 04:23:05 pm

ah i'm so happy for you! simplicity is a gift, and i really do think it's what our skin wants. :)

Reply
Kari
12/19/2017 12:25:58 pm

Thanks for this. I get a little frustrated with zero-waste bloggers who say, "I just put this one thing on and everything's perfect." Don't they have REAL skin?

Reply
jo
1/1/2018 04:23:32 pm

i cannot relate to them haha. thank you x

Reply
Jess
12/19/2017 01:58:30 pm

So nice to see a simple self-care routine that's considerate for the earth too :) in my mid-twenties my skin shifted pretty dramatically, suddenly I had acne flare-ups and hormonal breakouts I'd never experienced in my teens. Trying to find a new routine and some peace without wasting lots of money and packaging can be so tricky and disheartening! I treated myself to an Evan Healy sample kit for my birthday and that really helped change the course - I'm now a convert to her method of moisturizing, which is essentially balancing oil + water. My routine is currently: Little Seed Farm charcoal soap, Evan Healy rose hydrosol plus a face oil or serum (currently using up a sample from JK Naturals), and this amazing essential oil "skin clarity" blend from Veriditas. All come in recyclable paper and/or glass packaging that is pretty easy on the eyes. I also make clay masks using bentonite or green clay from the bulk section at my health food store. For scarring and redness, or a bit of extra moisture at night, I love pure rosehip seed oil, and just ordered a generous bottle from Mountain Rose Herbs. Otherwise I just borrow things from my kitchen, a bit of apple cider vinegar or baking soda helps with skin congestion, brown sugar as a scrub, coconut oil to remove makeup...

Reply
jo
1/1/2018 04:25:04 pm

thank you so much for sharing, i really love learning about others' products / routines! so helpful. i am absolutely going to look at these. thank you so much, best x

Reply
Elisa
12/22/2017 02:34:12 pm

Jo‘s post and the comments are super useful! My skin is pretty simple. I clean with water only and I use a blend of sunflower seeds oil, grape seed oil, thistle oil and jojoba oil. I use most of these oils in the kitchen anyway.
I experienced some breakouts last month as I was quitting hormonal contraception. Very interesting change in my body and I‘m interested to see if it changes my skin or hair.
I will probably buy the charcoal lush soap if necessary in the future.

Reply
jo
1/1/2018 04:25:48 pm

this is so good to hear! i would like to figure out how to use an oil instead of a moisturizer, but i must say i'm nervous. thank you for sharing the blend, it's so helpful. x

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