Article Written by Marie Odile of Opersi
Listen to your skin daily and uniquely nourish it with love…..
All skin is unique, so what works for one person might not necessarily work for the other. Your skin like all the other body organs is affected and reacts accordingly in times of stress and relaxation! This is why it is necessary to listen to your skin for you to have a successful skin care journey, especially when using natural products….
Most of us have generally figured out our skin types but in the world of skin care, this barely scratches the surface on the journey to a glowing unique you. You need to go down the skin care rabbit hole by discovering your unique skin needs by knowing what works for you and how to use the products that do.
Susan West Kurtz once said, “Natural beauty to me is loving acceptance and celebration of who you are as an individual. When you have that it leads to sustainable choices that support yourself, the community and the earth”.
Using natural products is not only a lifestyle but helps you avoid all the other side effects that might be caused by chemical products that can penetrate in your skin and cause disease.
Here is our top 5 Guide on What you need to know when using natural products:
1. Less is more
The normal skin care routine is made up of a cleanser, a mask, toner, serum and face moisturizer. So, you don’t need to buy many products, you might find that a natural oil like avocado oil, moringa oil or shea butter can work for you very well and can play multiple roles.
Pure Avocado Oil for instance, has research that has proven that it contains many nutrients like vitamin E, A and D, fatty acids, antioxidants and plant sterols which deeply penetrates the skin to nourish, soften and hydrates. It also protects the skin from damaging UV rays and helps in reducing age spots and wrinkles.
2. Be flexible and adjust to you skin…
Yes, knowing your skin type is good but also listening and adjusting to its demand in different seasons is crucial. Weather plays a big role in your skin care regime and you therefore have to be flexible to the changing seasons. A typical example is the need for a moisturizer that contains rich butters that will block UV rays that might cause radiation. Butters like the now popular shea butter, can now be found easily.
Oils rich in Vitamin C that stop the oxidation process and protect the skin from the aging effect of free radicals are oils like Jojoba oil and Rosehip oil. You can also change it up by using a face mask that contains honey, or a soap that contains milk and make sure to avoid using hot water.
Beyond the changing seasons, we know that different circumstances in your life might cause some changes that you should pay attention to. For example, when stressed you can have breakouts or when stressed some people tend to develop some acne on their face. These stress induced breakouts may be sorted out by trying out a face mask. It may be a clay, charcoal, or a home DIY Mask using green tea.
3. Relax, be patient
If you are new in using natural products, like the processed ones, an immediate outcome is unlikely . You have to be patient, breathe and let your skin glow naturally, this might take a week or a month, the point is to be patient and consistent.
If your skin is sensitive, trying a product on your hand first for contraindications is recommended. You might try the product on your hand for 3 to 5 days to monitor and see the reaction.
4. What to look out for when choosing your natural product brand…
Despite the labels on some “natural or organic” products, brands can still use chemicals such as; parabens; which can cause endocrine disruptions; sulfates or petrochemicals which are known for pore clogging.
For example, our skincare product line “Opersi”, which is a growing skin care brand in Eastern Africa, avoids using perfumes, preservatives and other chemicals. Opersi also does not use water in our compositions to avoid preservatives, we keep our products simple and use high quality natural ingredients.
Finding a brand that you can relate with is crucial. The skin absorbs what you put on it, that’s why it is very important to be mindful of what you are using on your skin. The rule of thumb with skin care is, “if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin”. So by choosing a natural skin-care brand you are choosing a healthy lifestyle.
5. In and out natural beauty….
We know you hate to hear it, but you may want to skip the chocolate, cut down on the sugar and settle for a salad over a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese toppings! The food you eat has a massive effect on the health and glow of your skin. Eating foods that are healthy, drinking more water, sleep, and getting yourself a massage when you feel like you need it are important milestones to your skin care journey. Being mindful of what goes into your body, your environment, your choice of natural skin care, and simply not touching your face with unclean hands are simple steps to giving you the ever coveted, healthy glowing skin!
With all things related to health and wellness, it is important to consult with an expert in the field to help you make the right decisions for your skin.
Marie Odile Inezaye is a Biotechnologist, Researcher and Entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of Opersi. Opersi is an all-natural, handmade cosmetics brand. We provide high quality products and offer personalized skin and hair care consulting. Opersi produces body butters, serums, clay and body oils.