Ritual Beauty: A Sacred Skincare Routine
There is something about taking time to care for the precious body that you live in that nourishes your soul as well as your skin.
We are spiritual beings, yet we came into these amazing bodies for a reason. And though experiencing various lessons and challenges is often cited as our soul’s motivation, this is not a complete picture…
We also came into these bodies so we could experience sensual pleasure.
Only embodied can we smell the aroma of lilacs in spring, witness the explosion of color in a sunset, listen to masterful melodies, taste perfectly paired spices from around the world, and feel the touch of a beloved’s arms.
Our skin covers and protects our entire body, providing us with a portal to experiencing the physical sensations of life. When we nourish and care for our skin, we’re showing ourselves that we matter. Our bodies matter. Our pleasure matters.
Of course, pausing for pleasure in the midst of our overpacked schedules and often monotonous lives seems to slip off the list of priorities all too easily. At least, it does for me.
But whenever I finally do take time once again to treat my senses and embrace the beauty of this physical life, I’m always so grateful that I did. A simple skincare ritual really can transform your life ;)
Here’s the kicker though―what you put on your skin matters. Endocrine disruptors, reproductive and developmental toxicity, contaminants, and cancer-causing ingredients are sadly common―even in “natural” brands.
(You can check your favorite products at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.)
This is why I began making my own skincare products years ago, and I started selling them to friends and family soon after. The following are my personal skincare rituals―one for everyday care, and one for a once-a-week treat (usually done after a bath...I like to go all out on my self care days).
I’ve linked to the products I personally use whenever possible, but feel free to use whatever you already love (just check that database first!).
Your Botanical Beauty Ritual
Opening the Ritual
Before beginning, be sure to set the scene. Light a candle, put on some music, grab a tea or glass of wine...whatever helps you remember that this is a special time for you to connect with yourself and your senses.
Step 1: Cleanse
Massage your favorite cleanser is into your skin and gently rinse with a damp cloth.
Wondering what to cleanse with? There are endless options on the market, but my favorite is a simple mix of nourishing oils and aloe vera. I use one part jojoba and one part aloe (unscented and undyed), along with a few anti-inflammatory essential oils, like German chamomile and blue tansy.
Other simple, eco-friendly face wash ideas: You can oil cleanse with pure jojoba oil, or for a more luxurious experience, cleanse with your face oil. Sometimes, I’ll use my Alchemessence skin serum as a face wash—it contain nourishing oils, aloe vera, botanical extracts in glycerin, and essential oils, making it a wonderful cleanser.
Step 2: Mask
Apply a clay mask. Mix your dry clay mask with a bit of carrier, such as honey, oil, or pure water. Apply to skin, avoiding eyes, and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. Gently remove with a warm cloth.
One of the oldest beauty secrets, clay masks have been used since in ritual beauty for thousands of years. I love a “dry” clay mask. Dry masks tend to have less ingredients like stabilizers and preservatives, so they’re a wonderful choice for natural beauty rituals.
Clay removes impurities and excess oil from the skin, smooths and evens skin tone, and can even provide moisture, depending on which clay and carriers you use. I’ve added special botanical powders to each of my dry clay mixes to give your mask even more skin-saving benefits―bamboo extract, iris root, green tea, olive leaf, blue-green algae, and frankincense resin, to name a few. You can explore all five masks here.
Step 3: Tone
Next comes toning. If you’re using a liquid toner, such as Queen of Hungary water, apply with a reusable cotton or bamboo pad. If you’re using a mist, close your eyes and spray your skin.
Toning is an essential step in any beauty routine. It balances your skin, helps purify toxins, and gives you an opportunity to add even more of a botanical boost. I alternate toning between homemade Queen of Hungary water (apple cider vinegar and rosewater infused with toning herbs), and facial mists.
I offer several facial mists at Alchemessence. Each is made of hydrosols, botanical extracts, essential oils, and other nourishing ingredients to balance and tone your skin. They are non-drying and wonderful for even the most sensitive skin types.
Step 4: Boost
Step four is optional but fun―add a boost of nutrients to your skin with a skin serum. Simply place a few drops of serum in the palm of your hand and massage into your skin.
Alchemessence serums contain nourishing oils, soothing aloe vera, and potent botanical extracts like edelweiss, green tea, and açaí, along with essential oils.
This step is a good time to add a gua sha massage, as the serum helps the gua sha tools move smoothly over your skin.
Step 5: Moisturize
Your final step is moisturizing. Place a few drops of a botanical face oil into the palm of your hand and gently massage into your skin, avoiding contact with your eyes. If you didn’t gua sha in step 4, now is the time.
I love botanical face oils because their ingredients are so pure and full of nutrients―they really are like food for your skin. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t leave you feeling greasy or breaking out either. Your skin really doesn’t need all the extra ingredients in cosmetic creams, as pure oil soaks in without clogging your pores.
My Alchemessence face oils contain around 40 ingredients, each chosen for very specific reasons. (You might like to read more about my process in this Insta post.)
Closing the Ritual
Once you’ve finished your ritual, give thanks to yourself for taking this time for you and for committing to natural beauty. Affirm that you love your skin and yourself, and you gratefully allow your inner radiance to shine forth.
Simple Daily Ritual
The daily ritual is a simplified version of the above. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize — that’s it! I actually like to keep my toning mist with me throughout the day. A couple of spritzes and my skin feels totally revitalized.
If you’d like to put together your own ritual beauty kit, you can explore everything mentioned here and more in the Alchemessence Apothecary.