As I carry on about natural skincare, you may wonder just what I stock in my own  beauty larder.  My bathroom shelf looks like this:

Because, of course, I want healthy, safe and sustainable products inside and out, but don't plan on walking out the door looking or smelling like a green juice smoothie, or patchouli (unless it is from Le Labo www.lelabofragrances.com)

As much as I seek out natural products,  I do still crave elegant packaging and refined formulations. The core of my daily routine is By Nieves Handmade Natural Bodycare, www.bynieves.com, featured today in The New York Times, http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/a-start-up-dares-to-leave-the-bay-area-and-venture-into-the-wild/

The C Perfect Skin Serum is absolutely transformative! My all time favorite product! Pure radiance!
The Bath Salts are divine for self care time - pair with something to sip and something to read...

By Nieves is not only what I stock in my own cupboard; it what I fill the shelves with and base treatments on at The Blue Buddha, www.sfbluebudda.com

I round out my regimen with Benedetta Rosemary & Geranium Creme Cleanser, www.benedetta.com, and  Rose Hydrosol,  a bouquet in a bottle to strengthen and soothe. For sunscreen I am currently testing Badger Balm Damascus Rose Facial Sunscreen, www.badgerbalm.com, so far, so very good!  I am forever searching for the ultimate eyecream -liking many, loving few - when I find it, I'll be sure to report!  For gilding the lily I head straight to Well People for anti-oxidant infused mineral makeup, shadows and lip color, www.w3ll.com.  The Well tag line could well be mine "hippie tested, diva approved'!

Yesterday, Erik, the owner of The Blue Buddha, asked me, “Why natural skincare?”
His short question got a long answer, opening up this question in ways that I hope are not judgmental or dogmatic.  Natural skincare becomes an extension of a healthy lifestyle, of being able to make informed choices, and  without feeling guilty over our corporate crushes.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It does more than contain your insides, your skin is a vast and dynamic filter. (A quick science aside - through ionic exchange particles penetrate the skin, dermal patches for medicine are a prime example of this process.) When we recognize the importance of our skin in our over all well being it makes sense to really look at what we are applying to our face and body. Just as we seek a healthy diet of fresh food produced in safe and sustainable ways, we can nurture and nourish the health of the skin with natural and organic formulas that deliver real results. I believe in using efficient products that respect your body and our planet.

I find the basic tenets of Michael Pollan's Eater's Manifesto can apply equally to caring for our skin:
Eat Food – Utilizing whole ingredients in skincare formulas gives us the synergies and ratios best absorbed by the skin. Organic carrier oils and essential oils form the basis of a healthy skin care, providing the necessary fats, anti-oxidants and omega acids needed to support cell function and protect the cellular membranes.

Not too much – A little goes a long way. More doesn't necessarily equal better. Know what the ingredients in your products are, and what they do.
Not too much applies to the number of products you need too. A basic regimen of cleanse, treat and protect can be supplemented with professional facials, seasonally specific treatments (“cures”) and at home mini-facials.

Mostly plants* – Avoiding petro-chemical and animal based ingredients are two things you can do to benefit the microcosm of your body that will have a profound impact on the macrocosm of the planet.

Why natural skincare? Good for beautiful you, and good for our mother Earth.



*Full disclosure: I do sometimes use yogurt, ghee, honey and egg. I am passionate about sourcing locally and organically from ethical producers.