Spring Cleaning
Spring is here! Which means new life, more sunshine, vibrant colors, warmer temperatures, and more quality outdoor time. The transformations of spring bring fresh new perspectives that inspire and motivate us. This presents the ideal circumstance for a thorough spring cleaning to clear out, simplify, and streamline our lives.
While you’re deep cleaning and decluttering this spring, add ‘spring clean skin care’ to the top of your checklist. Spring cleaning your products and routine is essential for healthy, clean skin. Whether it’s changing your routine, getting rid of expired products, cleaning your beauty tools, or replacing harmful products with safe and natural skin care. When it comes to maintaining your complexion, the small things can significantly impact your results.
Follow these 3 steps to spring clean your skin care and support healthier, glowing, and more youthful-looking skin:
Step 1: Clear Out Harmful Products
Do you know what harmful ingredients are lurking in your skin care products? Unfortunately, many companies mislead by using words like natural, clean, safe, green, organic, non-toxic, or hypoallergenic. Do your skin and health a favor, and spring clean your skin care. Clear out the products that are particularly harmful to your skin type and overall health.
Start by clearing out the harmful personal care products that contain the following ingredients:
Fragrance:
Avoid ALL fragrance unless it’s natural, such as from a pure essential (not food grade) oil. Most skin care products contain synthetic fragrance, which is where many harmful ingredients hide.
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers:
Look for Quaternium-15, Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, bronopol, or imidazolidinyl urea. These are all known carcinogens found in personal care products — including false eyelash glue.
Mineral Oil & Petroleum:
Also called petrolatum, petroleum jelly, and paraffin oil. Research suggests contaminants within these ingredients may be linked with cancer.
Parabens:
Any ingredient that starts with propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, or isobutyl-. These are in many personal care products as a preservative. Studies have found parabens in breast tumor tissue and estrogenic activity.
Ethanolamines:
Look out for diethanolamine [DEA], monoethanolamine [MEA], and triethanolamine [TEA]. Studies link these with cancer, especially when combined with other ingredients that form nitrosamines.
Oxybenzone (or Benzophenone), Octinoxate & Homosalate:
These are found in sunscreens, lip balms, and other products with SPF. They are easily absorbed into the skin and may have hormone-disrupting effects.
Hydroquinone (or Tocopheryl Acetate):
And any other skin lighteners.
The FDA warns that hydroquinone can cause ochronosis, a skin disease with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions on exposed skin.
Triclosan & Triclocarban:
Used as an antimicrobial agent in products such as soaps. Triclosan has been linked to hormone disruption and antibacterial resistance. It has also raised a great deal of concerns for the environment.
Coal Tar:
Including Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, and Phenylenediamine. These are used in creams, ointments, soaps, and shampoos to address itchy skin. They are derived from tar and are known carcinogens.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA):
This is used as a preservative and stabilizer in personal care products. The U.S. National Toxicology Program has classified it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
If you’d like to see my process for eliminating toxic and harmful products in your home — Check out Mary’s Spring Clean Makeover!
After you spring clean your skin care, be sure to replace them with natural skin care alternatives like The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials. Play it safe from her on out and read the ingredients list, or choose products that are EWG Verified. You can learn more about the top natural skin care ingredients to look for in my book Clean Skin From Within.
Step 2: Simplify Your Routine
Spring is a great time to lighten and simplify your wardrobe — as well as your skin care routine. For example, you’ll need to change your routine to adjust to the weather change, but it doesn’t have to be complex. Spring clean your skin care routine by following these tips to smooth, clear, and naturally beautiful skin:
Clean:
Use a cleanser that can clear your skin of makeup, dirt, and impurities without drying it out. It should be light, pH balanced, gentle on the skin, yet efficient. The Spa Dr.® Clear has a perfect pH balance and contains only natural and organic ingredients.
Nourish:
Bring on the antioxidants! Increase your use of masks, toners, and serums rich in antioxidants. An antioxidant-rich serum, like The Spa Dr.® Nourish, will help protect your skin from the sun’s IRA rays, and instantly nourishes your skin to combat aging, environmental stress, and inflammation.
Moisturize:
Lighten up on the moisturizer. Use one with a light emollient to soothe and support the barrier function of your skin. The Spa Dr.® Renew is packed with Camelina and Argan oils to hydrate, with a green, black and white tea blend to protect against oxidative damage.
Hydrate:
Balance your skin’s hydration on the inside and outside. Drink enough water, and eat plenty of water-based foods. Also, use the right oils for your skin type. You may need more oil depending on your skin type and how often you’re out in the sun. The Spa Dr.®Enhance is the perfect finishing touch to hydrate your skin. It contains a beautiful blend of natural organic plant oils.
Exfoliate:
Once a week is enough to help slough off dead skin cells. Certainly, you’ll only want to use only gentle exfoliants, like The Spa Dr.®Pearl and Rose Exfoliant, to protect your skin. Learn about my soft and natural approach to exfoliation, so you can avoid scratching or damaging your skin.
Protect:
Time to step up your sunscreen and SPF. More skin exposure leads to more oxidative sun damage to your skin. Natural mineral sunscreen is a physical barrier that doesn’t contain harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals. For example, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are safe minerals you can use that are found in many natural sunscreens.
Step 3: Streamline Your Skin Care
There’s a common misconception that using more products or multiple brands will lead to better results, which is not true. In contrast, I suggest you cultivate a routine with a simple system that’s intentional for your skin’s needs. Additionally, by minimizing your skin care you’ll enjoy the added benefit of decluttering your bathroom counter and cupboards!
Start by choosing a simple skin care product system. The system should be made with natural and safe ingredients. A good skin care system should be:
- perfectly pH balanced to protect the skin microbiome
- antioxidant-rich to promote ageless beauty
- effective at clarifying and balances the skin
- and gentle without sacrificing results!
The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials is a powerful and effective 4-step system designed to cleanse, nourish, protect and revitalize any skin type.
Skin Quiz
Take my Skin Quiz to find out your skin type. You can also find out more about each of the skin types here. Becoming aware of your skin type is key to understanding your skin’s common issues. Knowing your skin type will help you streamline your skin care routine. It will also help you start introducing new healthy habits to achieve the beautiful, glowing skin you deserve.
Skin Care Ingredients Guide
This handy guide includes the TOP BEST ingredients and the TOP WORST ingredients. Use it to help spring clean your skin care and beauty products. Or use it the next time you go shopping for skin care. Download a FREE Skin Care Ingredient Shopping Guide Now!
The Spa Dr.® Approach
At The Spa Dr.® – our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information. We also want to offer guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
If you are not already part of The Spa Dr.® community, I invite you to join us on social media.
I hope you enjoyed these natural skin care tips. Feel free to share them with your friends, and spread the word to promote natural beauty!
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