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Fall Skincare Routine
As the weather is changing for some of us and we're settling into our fall routines–I thought I'd share with you one of the staples I've found that lasts me through any season, my fall skincare routine. No matter what season I'm in, I've always struggled with clogged pores and dry skin, even despite how diligent I am about taking care of my skin–but recently I feel like I have finally come to a product routine that has improved that drastically.I also want to add that before quarantine I was regularly getting facials to help me find a good medium with my skin, but since quarantine, I wasn't able to get a facial in seven or so months. Recently I just went back to my facialist who knows my skin so well, and she said that my skin is looking better than it ever has–I seriously owe it to these products and routine.Skin can be such an important topic for all of us, though we don't always talk about it–having clean and clear skin really can attribute to your confidence! I know that some of my issues can be issues that we all experience, especially in the fall season, so I'm excited to share with you and hope this helps!My Morning Routine
Morning cleanse:
Follain balancing cleanser mixed with ISUN Crystal Cleansing Exfoliant
In the mornings, after I cleanse but before I apply product, I always spray this
on my face.
Then I apply these products in order:
1)
2)
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
3)
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
4)
Biossance Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil
mixed with
Follain Replenish + Protect Moisturizer
My Nighttime Routine
1)
Garden Apothecary Spun Gold: The Cleanser
I always double cleanse or cleanse once and then use
Odacite Blue Aura Cleansing Water
2)
3)
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
4)
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
5)
Biossance Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil
mixed with
OR
Carasoin Cold Fusion Intense Moisture
(by itself)
Other Nighttime Products
January Labs Pure & Gentle Cleansing Gel
January Labs Revitalizing Day Cream
Henua Organics Recharging Moisturizer
and
Each of these products is amazing on their own–but in this routine, I've found the perfect fit for my skin! To find out more information on each of the products and what they target, click the links included above. And to see some of my other skin and self-care staples, follow The Clean Stuff where I regularly post my favorite clean picks. xo
Everyday Clean Products for the Home
These past few weeks I've been sharing about Jase and I's processes of renovating our home on the blog in a collection of talks we're calling Making A Home – While we're still very much in the process, things are slowly but surely coming together and I'm excited to share more with you here in the upcoming weeks! Throughout this time, we've really discovered that creating a home isn't just about the paint you put on the walls and the furniture you fill it with, but even the everyday items you use that make it feel like home. I know we all have our go-to cleaning products, whether they're ones we've grown up using in our childhood homes or those we've come to love on our own – Here are a few of the everyday items that are always stocked in my home!1. Force of NatureI know I talk about this brand a lot – And it's because I am absolutely in love! It's always been a priority to me to keep things extra clean, and with the rise of recent attention towards disinfecting and cleansing, it was important for me to find an all-purpose cleaner that really does its job without being full of chemicals and harmful to the body. Force of Nature is a nontoxic disinfecting solution that cuts through just about anything while also working on virtually any surface – Which I do, trust me! It is an equivalent to the power of bleach and kills viruses, but the only ingredients are salt, water, and vinegar.Plus an extra bonus, it keeps chemicals out of our water system, cuts down plastic waste, and is shipped using materials that are 100% recyclable – So what's not to love? This has easily become one of my household staples that I will always have on hand.2. Branch BasicsAnother nontoxic cleaning brand that I have stocked in my home is Branch Basics. From all-purpose cleaner to laundry detergent and bathroom cleaner – I love it all! Their multipurpose cleaning solution is plant and mineral-based, free of harmful preservatives and their reusable bottles make it extra sustainable. It also can be used on just about any surface, but their options make it super easy to target cleaning specific areas of your home without having to compromise on using toxic cleaning products instead. And like Force of Nature, it's very affordable! Proving that you don't have to compromise on safe cleaning to stay within budget, which is always a win.3. Revive Essential OilsThere's a lot of essential oil brands out there today, but Revive Essential Oils has actually become the only one I use! Made without any fillers, synthetic fragrances or odor enhancers (which can actually be found in a lot of essential oils today), Revive is also locally sourced and directly sold without the middle man – So it's oftentimes cheaper and more affordable than other brands, and the quality is an A+.It's also 100% pure therapeutic grade, free from any additives, adulterants, synthetics, or dilutions. I love being able to use them without having to worry if I'm compromising myself in doing so – Which is why they're my all-time favorite!4. EquilibriaI mentioned this brand last week in my post on The Clean Sweep for Clean Sleep – but I wanted to jot it down again here because it has quickly become a staple item in my home! Implementing hemp oil into my regular routine has been such a game-changer, not just for my sleep but for my mental and physical well-being. Like I mentioned above, there's a lot of brands out there today that make promises about what they can offer, then you end up finding out you're actually harming yourself rather than helping! The journey of clean-living can be so discouraging in this way, so when you find a brand that actually works, and is as clean and sustainable as it promises to be, it's so exciting! Equilibria has been one of those products for me, and I cannot recommend it more!5. SupernaturalAnother cleaning brand that I love! This one is scented with essential oils, so for anyone who prefers a healthy scent, this is perfect. With a variety of different solutions like counters and granite, glass, bath and tiles, wood and floors, and stainless steel – I love that supernatural makes it easy to know that the product I'm using in specific areas of my home is catered just for that area. Like the other brands, it's 100% all-natural, plant-based and made from minerals, and sustainable.
All of these brands are actually the only products I use in my home! I hope these help you in the journey to clean-living, especially in times where we've all spent a bit more time at home than usual. I talk more about my own journey to clean-living and give specific advice, practices, and products from my years of research in my 90-day program, The Clean Sweep, but I'm constantly updating my knowledge and looking for ways to make clean-living easy to understand and accessible to everyone.As always, following along with my journey right here on the blog or on my Instagram, @LaurenScruggs or @TheCleanStuff for a peek into the everyday clean beauty, health, and wellness products I currently have my hands on!
Self-Care Tip: Bath Must-Haves
While there are many things about this season that have been challenging and difficult to process, I’ve been taking extra time to be grateful for the things I do have, and find light in the little activities that bring joy, rest, and make me feel whole. I think now more than ever, it’s important to find ways to take care of yourself, and to allow yourself to find peace. One of my favorite ways to practice extra self-care is by taking a bath! Here are a few Self-Care Tips and my Bath Must-Haves that have quickly become a part of my everyday routine: I often talk about this brand because I absolutely love their products! These bath soaks are made with many great (and of course, clean) ingredients including essential oils that add such a calming and soothing aspect to my bath routine! (I’ve stocked up on their bath line and love to rotate through them as a part of my bath routine).Any time I take a bath, I’ll use this beforehand! Dry brushing has so many great benefits, but before baths, especially, it’s a great way to practice self-care by activating your body’s release of toxins before you soak. These bath salts are simply the best! I love this brand because the ingredients are pure and raw, and they also assist in fighting off toxic build up in the body while hydrating and nourishing my skin - a self-care must! This scrub is an item that takes my time for self-care to the next level. It’s made with brown sugar and hydrating sweet almond oil that not only smells amazing but also leaves my skin feeling so moisturized afterwards! This sponge I’ve talked about a few times before because I simply love it! Not only is it a bath must-have staple for me, but the amount of body wash it’s helped me save has been amazing. It has quickly become a self-care item I cannot do without.I’ll use this particular bath soak on nights when I’m extra tired and need help getting rest. It’s also a great aid to your body when you feel you might be getting sick or are already under the weather! When I’m feeling stressed and want to relax, I make sure to use these bath salts that help calm my mind and soothe my muscles! I love the way it smells and knowing that it’s helping my body while I cut out time for self-care is such a bonus. However you’re feeling in this season, I hope you find time to do something that adds extra care and relaxation into your routine! x[show_shopthepost_widget id="4014588"]
san francisco love.
One of the many reasons I love traveling is to infuse myself in a city's culture, meet locals, and stumble across new unexpected places. I took a 24-hour last minute trip last weekend to San Francisco, and it was truly a magical experience + I am amazed at how different a city's lifestyle can be even when it is only an hour plane ride away. Jason was working at the Billboard Music Awards in Vegas (side note: so proud of my man), so I decided to go see one of my dear friends, Shannon and her precious boyfriend, Nick! We were two peas in a pod in this adorable city full of character, adventure and pure beauty.
On Sunday, we woke up to brunch at the lovely vegetarian eatery called Greens. I had the most delicious over-easy egg bowl with carrots, kale, leeks, and local yellow finn potatoes (AKA my dream). This amazing farmer's market was bustling next door, and we met the most amazing people with the coolest stories + had a few 'small world' instances!
I met the most fascinating botanist, Giovanna Marie, who was selling essential oils. For those of you that know me, essential oils are a huge part of my life. I love making my house feel like a spa + they are so good for a healthy body. Win win!Giovanna told me glimpses of her story that you can read here. She explained that she collects flowers from Big Sur and makes her own oils that serve many healing purposes for our bodies. I was sold for many reasons, but here is one of them - for Jason and I's one year anniversary, we escaped to Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, and it has become one of our most loved locations. I purchased the Wild Rose Oil because they are made from roses she has collected in Big Sur. It is like a delayed souvenier from this special place + bonus: this oil is amazing for replenishing skin!Here was another favorite shop called 60 Foot Farm that made the most delicious jam from their urban farm in San Francisco. The best gift or pantry staple!See my look below + my new Hobo bag that I wear on the daily here!