Natural face care: how to build a calm routine

"I want something natural for my face, but where do I start?" I hear that question a lot, in our chat and through our skincare test. It makes sense, because almost every brand calls itself natural these days. In this guide I explain what natural face care really means, how to recognise it on an ingredient list and how to build a routine that suits your skin in three calm steps.

Short answer: natural face care is made mainly from plant ingredients, such as aloe vera, plant oils, butters and herbal extracts, instead of mineral oil and synthetic fillers. You recognise it by the ingredient list, not by the front of the packaging. A good routine has three steps: cleanse gently, add moisture and nourish. Not sure what your skin needs? Start with our free skincare test.

What does natural face care mean?

"Natural" is not a protected term. There is no legal threshold for how many natural ingredients a product must contain. That is why I always look at the INCI list: ingredients are listed in order of quantity, so whatever is at the top makes up most of the product.

You recognise natural face care by:

• Plant ingredients at the top of the list, such as aloe vera juice, plant oils and butters.
• No mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum), which forms a layer on the skin but gives it nothing itself. Read more in the truth about mineral oil.
• Plant extracts with a purpose, such as calendula, chamomile and seaweed, not just a pinch for the label.

Natural does not mean there is nothing else in it. Natural products sometimes need a mild preservative or another helper ingredient to stay stable and safe. Want to learn how to read such a list? Read why the INCI list is only the beginning.

What is in natural care from Abloom?

At Abloom we use aloe vera instead of water. In our Purifying Cleanser, Soothing Lotion, Supreme Skin Elixir, Day Cream and Night Cream, organic aloe vera juice is the first ingredient. It is followed by plant oils and butters, such as jojoba oil and shea butter, and extracts of herbs, flowers and seaweed.

Our Miracle Oil contains no aloe vera and no water: it is a pure face oil with jojoba oil as its first ingredient and 22 natural ingredients in total.

To be complete, because I want to be honest about what is in a product: several products contain organic alcohol and essential oils, for example lavender and bergamot. That is why "Fragrance" appears on some of the ingredient lists. What that means for your skin, you can read in alcohol in skincare and essential oils in skincare.

A calm routine in three steps

You do not need ten products. Most people who take our skincare test choose a short routine, and that works for almost every skin. These are the three steps, morning and evening:

1. Cleanse gently. Blend the Purifying Cleanser with a little water in your hands and massage it onto damp skin with small circular movements. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat your face dry. The cleanser removes dirt, excess oil and make-up without drying out your skin. Wearing eye make-up? Remove it first with an oil. How to combine the two is explained in double cleansing.
2. Add moisture. Press a few pumps of Hydrating Toner or Soothing Lotion into your skin. The toner gives dry or sensitive skin an instant moisture boost; the Soothing Lotion is a light lotion with panthenol and witch hazel. Want more moisture? Then apply the Supreme Skin Elixir, a serum with aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, tremella and ceramide NP.
3. Nourish. The Day Cream in the morning, the Night Cream in the evening. If your skin needs more, mix one or two drops of Miracle Oil into your cream. During the day, finish with sun protection, because the Day Cream contains no SPF. Our Luminous SPF 20+ Cream works with zinc oxide, a mineral filter. More about that in mineral sunscreen for your face.

Not sure about the order when you use more products? The rule of thumb is from light to rich. Read more in in what order to use your skincare.

Which steps suit your skin?

• Dry skin: choose the Hydrating Toner and the Day Cream, and mix a drop of Miracle Oil into your cream if your skin still feels tight after a few minutes.
• Oily or combination skin: keep it light. For oily skin, the Soothing Lotion can be enough on its own. Use a rich cream only on dry areas.
• Sensitive skin: introduce one new product at a time and test it first on a small area, for example on your neck. That way you quickly notice what your skin likes.

Read more per skin type on our page about skin types and concerns. Or let our routine builder put your routine together.

How to start without replacing everything at once

You do not have to clear out your whole bathroom cabinet in one go. Start with the step you do most often: cleansing. If your skin feels less tight after washing, replace the next step. That way you get to know your skin and know exactly which product does what.

Want to try first? The Abloom Trial Set contains the Purifying Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, Day Cream and Miracle Oil in mini sizes. With it you follow the complete basic routine for 10 to 14 days, morning and evening.

Who is natural face care for?

For anyone who wants to know what goes on their skin and is looking for a calm, simple routine. Also if your skin reacts quickly to heavy creams or if you want to use fewer products.

Do you have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea, are you pregnant or having medical treatment? Then talk to your GP or dermatologist first. You can also ask for personal advice through the chat on our website.

In short

• "Natural" is not a protected term: look at the ingredient list.
• Plant ingredients at the top and no mineral oil are good signs.
• Three steps are enough: cleanse, add moisture, nourish.
• Replace one product at a time and finish with SPF during the day.

Read more

• Organic skincare: what does organic really mean?
• In what order do I use my skincare products?
• What does a toner do, and do you need one?
• All our products

Not sure what your skin needs? Take our free skincare test, or ask our skin specialist through the chat on our website.

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist