The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it also happens to be the most exposed to toxins, pollutants, and harsh environmental factors we come across every day. The act of cleansing is an important part of maintaining healthy, happy skin. But how do you know which products to use to ensure a lasting, soothing ritual?
Clean, Natural Cleansing
Washing your face is the one thing in your routine you should always make time for – no excuses for being tired or not having enough time! Even if wearing makeup isn’t a regular thing for you, pollutants and dirt in the environment, like dust or smog, still deposit on the skin and must be removed. While makeup wipes can provide a quick fix, they tend to contain preservatives and harsh chemicals for extending shelf life. Though they do clean the skin, these kinds of quick solutions don’t provide the lasting care your skin needs.
Cecile’s products provide the benefits of natural beauty and virtually zero-waste while providing the boutique quality your skincare routine needs. Getting as close to nature as possible with our oil-based soaps will lead to glowing skin with long-term benefits, which is why we include organic materials like coconut milk, charcoal, and plant oils. Cecile’s Detoxifying Charcoal Soap is our most successful and sought after product since we started in 2014 - if you only get one product from the entire line, it should be this one! This soap is exceptional as a general facial cleanser as its gently exfoliating action makes it very effective against acne while the organic essential oils and activated charcoal help produce a brighter complexion. Plus, it works just as well on the body!
Why Activated Charcoal?
Charcoal is the premier ingredient when it comes to removing toxins and bacteria from the body, having been used both internally and topically for centuries – even by the ancient Egyptians! It’s the most effective ingredient for attracting and removing oil and dirt. A product to add to your all-natural, conscious consumption shopping list, medicinal-grade charcoal powder is sourced from coconut husks, a waste product of food production – something extra to feel good about!
One common myth associated with face washing is that the more a product foams, the cleaner the skin will be. For most skin types, highly foaming and aggressive toners strip the skin’s natural protective oils away from the surface and leave the skin vulnerable, counteracting any benefits the cleanser may promote. Those with sensitive skin may find foaming cleansers to be overly-aggressive as they strip away the skin’s natural defense barrier of oils, disrupting the skin’s pH and leaving it alkaline.
In fact, that “squeaky clean” feeling you may be used to after washing your face might be a sign that your current cleanser is too aggressive, and it most likely lacks any of the benefits natural oils and products bring to the table. Harsh cleansers strip away the protective layer for those with oily skin and may even kick-start an overproduction of oil as the skin attempts to compensate for this excessive sebum removal. An oil-based cleanser like jojoba oil or authentic soaps like Cecile’s Coconut Milk Soap is more beneficial as it will remove makeup and dirt without stripping the skin’s oils.
Cleanse With Nourishing Coconut Milk
Cecile’s Coconut Milk Soap is extra-creamy and bubbly, leaving skin silky smooth and soft to the touch. Made with coconut milk, this soap smells good enough to eat and features natural oils including olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and castor oil.
We recommend cleansing and moisturizing in the morning and in the evening, two times crucial to your self-care routine and perfect opportunities to implement small, sustainable changes. We recommend following these steps for face washing:
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Wet bar and bring soap to a lather with a fine facial brush or extra-soft washcloth
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Use what you think is enough – the creamy foam gently cleanses as it deposits rich nourishment directly to your skin!
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And of course, don’t forget to cleanse your neck using upward strokes (which is equally as exposed as your face).
DIY Basic Facial Cleansing Gel
You can #LiveCleaner at home and on-the-go with this easy-to-make, all-natural cleansing gel. Moisturizing coconut oil dissolves stubborn oil and dead skin cells, while Manuka honey brightens the skin, providing an antibacterial and protective layer to seal in moisture. The toning qualities of apple cider vinegar add to it’s cleansing properties, while essential oils create a soothing sensory experience.
This cleanser recipe makes for an oil-balancing, antibacterial cleanser to rid your skin of acne-causing bacteria.
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon raw organic coconut oil
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3 tablespoons Manuka or wildflower honey
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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up to 15 drops tea tree oil, or your favorite blend of organic essential oils
Gently heat the coconut oil until melted and liquid. Combine Manuka honey and apple cider vinegar until smooth before adding to coconut oil. Add essential oils and stir until smooth. Pour into a sterilized glass jar and store in a cool place for up to a month.
Like this DIY cleansing recipe? Let us know in the comments and share with a friend!