Go Au Naturale: an eco-friendly beauty routine for glowing summer skin

Authored by Casey D. Sibley

With summer just around the corner, you might be contemplating preparing your skin for the summer sun...and for baring it all on the beach! Every year around this time, I start to notice just how harsh the winter weather has been on my skin. My hands are dry, my face seems a little pale, and my legs are rough from months of neglect hiding under long pants!

Here are a few of my favorite homemade, ethically made, and natural remedies for prepping my skin for warmer weather!

1. Exfoliate regularly.

The very best natural method for keeping your skin smooth and silky is exfoliation. It’s a crucial step before shaving and waxing, and prevents ingrown hairs when used several times a week. I’ve tried countless store bought products and have recently started making my own at home. To make, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with around ¼ cup to ½ cup olive oil or coconut oil (depending on how dense you like your scrub), and ten drops each of lavender and tea tree essential oils. The lavender is calming and tea tree oil is healing. Mix well and scrub away! You’ll have a lovely aromatic showering experience and silky legs in no time. Win-win!

2. Be sure to pamper your face every day.

When I was younger, I was the WORST about washing my face before bed. As my skin ages, the importance of this step--and using products that are gentle on the skin--is unavoidable. My skincare routine begins with washing all of my makeup off with Alaffia’s Fair Trade Coconut Cleansing Face Wash. I recently discovered this product and LOVE how good it makes my skin feel. It smells amazing, too. Then I follow with Pantry Products Clean Skin Toner (the Gin+Tonic version has Witch Hazel and Aloe--perfect for my occasional adult acne!). My last step is to apply a lightweight, unscented moisturizer. I have naturally oily skin, but have found that skipping this last step can make skin even MORE oily. So don’t skip it! I use Simple’s Protecting Light Moisturizer.

Each of these products is inexpensive and easy to find by ordering online or finding at your local drugstore.

3. Drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated is one of the BEST ways to improve your overall well being, has amazing impacts on your skin’s clarity, and even helps with keeping your teeth pearly white, too! Whenever I’m feeling a bit blah, or notice that dark circles are forming under my eyes (even when I’ve had plenty of rest), I know it’s time to chug some H2O. Especially with warmer days approaching, it is crucial to get in the habit of drinking at least 10 to 12 cups of water a day (1 cup equals 8 oz.--that’s totally doable). If you’re like me, and forget to drink enough water, you can set reminders on your phone or carry a refillable water bottle that you love and will actually use. The best trick for me was to find a tumbler with a lid and a straw that was super portable and clear so I could see the water inside (totally psychological hack). And if you’re feeling like making things a bit more interesting, thrown in a slice of fruit for an infused treat (lemon is great for detoxifying, too!).

And that’s it! Easy, right?

About Casey

Casey Sibley is a textile and product designer based in Reno, NV. She carries a line of handmade accessories (like the pouch pictured above!) and home goods featuring her original pattern designs, meant to be used daily and inspire a happy life. You can learn more about her products and pattern work on caseydsibley.com and on instagram.com/caseydsibley.

Check out the small travel pouches from Casey on our shop! They're perfect for carrying cosmetics and have water resistant lining so make a great damp swimsuit bag. 

*None of the links outside of BlackPearl website in this blog post are affiliate links. No compensation will be given to Black Pearl Swimwear or its employees if you purchase an item from these links.