Cleanse, detox, feed, tighten, and nourish: This is the foundation of the LBC spring skincare ritual.
As light wanders back into our lives, we notice our skin looking a little dull from the last few months. Nothing wrong with it: It's a part of the natural cycle of earth and our bodies. We live in sync with nature and our bodies reflect the annual hibernation.
Now that we turn back towards the light, we yearn for refreshing and rejuvenating experiences. We spend more time outdoors and hopefully receive more sunshine.
As we integrate with the spring season underway, it's a wonderful time to nurture our skin + body and uncover a brightness of skin and spirit that reflect the light.
Set aside an hour and tend to your skin with our favorite spring skincare ritual.
The Spring Ritual
Cleanse: Cleansing grains
Cleansing grains gently exfoliate your skin while nourishing and calming the skin. They are also a soap-free alternative to typical facial cleansers. The grains consist of blended oats, clay, almonds, lavender, rose, and optional poppy seeds for extra exfoliation. If you have a nut allergy, simply omit the almonds.
Cleansing grain recipe:
- 2 cups white clay
- 1 cups finely ground oats
- 1/4 cup finely ground almonds
- 1/8 cup finely ground lavender
- 1/8 cup finely ground roses
Directions:
Using a coffee grinder or blender (I like to use a Nutribullet for this!), blend each ingredient separately so it's finely ground. Then, combine your ground ingredients together in the grinder or blender or simply mix in a big bowl. Add to your favorite container. I like to use glass jars for easy repurposing. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
To use, add a teaspoon of cleansing grains with water to make a paste and gently massage into skin. Rinse with warm water and move onto the next step in your spring skincare ritual.
Detox and Deep Cleanse: Facial Mask
Start with a facial mask to draw out impurities from your skin. Because the winter tends to be dry enough on its own, we like to use a combo of green clay + white clay + activated charcoal. Instead of mixing with water or facial tonic, combine your dry mask with your favorite facial oil for a clarifying, yet nourishing facial mask. The combination of your mask + oil helps your skin stay supple without drying out too much.
You only need 1 teaspoon of each dry ingredient, plus 2 teaspoons of oil or so, depending on the texture you prefer. Leave mask on for as long as needed. The oil won't dry out the mask like water would, so enjoy.
Feed: Facial Steam
After your facial mask, feed your face with a facial steam. A facial steam generally is made up of herbal plants. This combination rehydrates and calms the skin after your mask -- and delivers the nutrients of the herbs straight into your open pores.
My favorite combination is:
- 3 parts comfrey leaf
- 2 parts calendula
- 2 parts roses
- 2 parts lavender
Next, boil 2-3 quarts of water, add your herbs, and reduce to a simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pot from the stove and onto a heat safe surface, place your face comfortably over the steaming pot, and cover your head with a towel. It will get hot -- let air out as you need. Aim for 8 - 10 minutes. I like to save my leftover herbal water for a hair rinse that evening.
Tighten Pores and Restore Hydration: Facial Mist
Using a facial mist after a steam helps tighten and close up your pores that opened via steam. Facial mists also help hydrate and deliver plant nutrients into your skin. This is very soothing and feels great after a hot steam.
Moisturize and Nourish: Facial Oil
Finish with a hydrating facial oil like Golden Om or something as simple as straight up olive oil or jojoba to nourish and complete your ritual. Avoid raw coconut oil on your face: It is high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it easily clogs pores.
Plant-powered products nourish the skin naturally without harsh chemicals or toxins. Shop the LBC collection to find the perfect product for you.
