I used to be very lazy with my skincare routine, if you can even call it that. I saw it as a chore and a way to get makeup off my face. I used make up wipes instead of cleansing properly, slathered on way too many facial oils, I did not exfoliate enough and I regularly went to bed with makeup on. These are skincare cardinal sins but we’ve all been there, right? If you feel like you’re in a bit of a rut, or you just can’t get inspired to wash your face every morning and evening, I hope this post will help to nudge you in the right direction.
Just after I had my first baby in 2013, my skin was in a sad state. Little clogged pores covered my whole face and I knew that I had to make some changes. In hindsight, it was a pretty good reflection of what was going on in my head. Having a baby was a total shock. Your needs are completely pushed aside, which is to be expected, but it’s still a hard thing to get used to for some new mums.
In light of my dire skin situation, I used the “I just had a baby” excuse to treat myself to a facial at a local organic beauty spa called Bodhi J. They use Sodashi for their facials which is a natural skincare brand that was created 18 years ago in North Fremantle by Megan Larsen. My Sodashi facial was an incredibly relaxing experience and the smell, texture and performance of the products made a lasting impression on me.
Sodashi aim to use the purest, most natural ingredients in their small batch formulations and they have a very strong philosophy which is carried through their whole company. Employees at their North Fremantle headquarters practice Transcendental Meditation twice a day and soothing melodies are heard in their labs while they create and formulate.
Slowly, I replaced my existing skincare with Sodashi products, starting off by using their Rejuvenate line and switching to the Calm range once the issues with my skin had settled. Within 3-4 weeks the little bumps were gone and my skin looked radiant and transformed.
In a nutshell, the Sodashi line is amazing and I could write a glowing review about each one, but I wanted this post to be more about how it got me into some good habits.
When I began taking the time to care for my skin in the morning and evening, I felt like there was a shift. Not only did the condition of my skin improve but I began to look forward to my nightly and morning ritual. I took the time to enjoy the steps and the feel and smell of the products and I started to depend on it as a way to unwind from the day. It was almost a mindfulness experience, helping me in times of post-baby anxiety.
So what do you do if you’re feeling uninspired about your own skincare situation? Below are some of my tips for creating and sticking to a skincare regimen.
1. Keep it simple.
If you’re short on time and motivation, don’t overcomplicate things. After you remove your makeup use a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser. In the morning, do the same but follow up with an SPF 30 to 50. Exfoliate and use a mask twice a week.
These are the basics of course, and you can certainly add more products to your regime as time goes on.
2. Choose products that you like.
This seems like a no brainer but it’s an important point. No matter which brand of products you choose make sure they have a smell and texture that you enjoy and you will look forward to using them. A lot of skincare brands (including Sodashi) offer starter kits which is a great way to test out new products before investing in the full size versions.
3. Use a face washer/flannel to remove your cleanser.
Using a warm towel to remove my cleanser is something I really look forward to at the end of the day, it’s very calming. Have a stash of face washers in your bathroom and use a new one every day.
4. Consistency is key.
Repetition is the best way to get into good habits. You could set a reminder on your phone or make it a habit to wash your face after dinner or after the kids have gone to bed. Which brings me to my next point…
5. Do your skincare routine well before it’s time for bed.
If you are prone to falling asleep on the couch and transferring yourself to bed like a zombie, then try to slot in your skincare routine before you doze off.
I have Sodashi to thank for getting me into a good routine and inspiring me to take better care of my skin. I tend to switch up my products these days so that I can bring you informative reviews but I continue to repurchase the Rejuvenate Clay Cleanser with Lavender, Nourishing Repair Treatment, Brightening Marine Mineral Mask, Gentle Repair White Clay Mask, Enzyme Face Polish and the Eye & Lip Smoother because they are the standout products for me. I purchase all of my Sodashi products from The Beauty Edit which is a great Perth based online organic and natural beauty store that delivers worldwide.
I hope that this post has inspired you to invest a little time into self care and skin care. It’s easy to let it slip down the priorities list but if you keep at it, your mind and body will reap the benefits.
What is your favourite step in your skincare routine? Leave a comment below or contact me via email and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Next week: I review a trio of long lasting, natural lipsticks.
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