Wait, let us guess…

You’ve always been hesitant about the mystery chemicals hanging out in skincare products.

You wonder … can this magical anti-aging cream actually cure my wrinkles (without creating worse problems)?

Is a heavily marketed skincare routine with synthetic ingredients even worth my time?

…and you’ve decided the answer is no.

You’re brand new to creating a skincare routine. Total novice. A clean skincare brand has finally caught your eye, and you’re wondering if maybe healthy, whole ingredients can be the skincare solution you didn’t know you needed.

But here’s the problem: you don’t know where to start.

That’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you’d be surprised how many women (of all ages) we hear from who are starting a skincare routine for the first time.

There’s no right or wrong time to start a skincare routine. Trust your instincts. When you’re ready to begin, here are some all-natural tips to help you get started:

Why Build a Nontoxic Skincare Routine?

Skincare is a personal choice. Some people go their whole lives without using a single moisturizer, tonic, or serum—and their skin still looks fantastic. Others prefer to use nature’s resources combined with science to slow the aging process or eliminate blemishes.

Wherever you are with your skincare routine, know that there’s no “wrong” answer—only your answer. Just because everyone else is doing something, doesn’t mean you have to hop on the bandwagon. But if taking care of your skin is something you genuinely enjoy doing, then take care of it well.

Building a nontoxic skincare routine can help you tap into your feminine side, feel more like yourself (with clearer skin or less wrinkles), and even connect you with brilliant ancestral practices.

Healthy Ingredients to Look For in Your Products

We talk a lot about the dangers of toxic chemicals in skincare products. (For example, how can we really call it “skincare” if it comes with a side of parabens, plastics, fillers, and PFAS?)

But there’s so much more to building a successful beginner skincare routine than simply avoiding the bad ingredients. In fact, we see this mistake made often in the beauty community. A product with zero chemicals doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good product.

Luckily, nature has so many amazing resources that have been shown to increase our skin’s natural elasticity (and collagen), dull the effects of aging and sun damage, eliminate acne, and boost our skin’s overall glow and vitality.

Our recommendation? Nontoxic skincare is the bare minimum. Find whole, quality ingredients that are science-backed, and use them consistently to give you better skin over time.

Here are some science-backed ingredients (straight from nature) that might be even more effective than store-brand products:

Science-Backed Nontoxic Skincare Ingredients to Look For

• Antioxidants
• Raw honey
• Blue C-phycocyanin algae
• Seabuckthorn oil
• Organic herbs
• Tallow
• Helichrysum oil
• Jojoba oil
• Castor oil
• Frankincense essential oil
• Arnica
• Witch hazel

How to Choose Your First Beginner Skincare Products 

Serums, moisturizers, and cleansers (oh my).

When beginning your skincare routine, the decision fatigue is real.

What products should you get? How do you avoid draining your entire life-savings on ineffective products with clever marketing? Will you actually see results?

Here are our tips:

1. Use Your Intuition

Seriously, if the product passes the ingredients test and you feel drawn to it, it might be worth a try. Intuition is often our best guide when it comes to addressing acne, wrinkles, and other skin issues with skincare.

Pick a few products that align with your values and your intuition, and start using them. Give yourself plenty of time to try the new products (we recommend around 3-6 months), and then make a change if you aren’t getting the desired results.

1. Expect Some Trial and Error

As much as we wish we could all fall madly in love with the first serum we try, this just isn’t realistic. Anticipate taking some time to finalize your skincare routine and try different products. Everyone is different. Something that might be a “miracle cure” for your friend’s skin might not be as beneficial to yours.

Make sure you give each product a reasonable trial period before switching to something new. But remember, just because one thing doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean nothing will work for you.

1. Set a Budget Beforehand

One thing you might notice as you step into the skincare realm: your favorite products can be pricey. There’s nothing wrong with paying for quality—and many clean skincare brands are worth the investment (especially when they use high-quality ingredients).

Since it’s easy to get overwhelmed by prices, we recommend setting a standard budget for your skincare. Plan to spend the same amount each month—and keep your commitment. Not only will this help keep you from breaking the bank but it can also keep you from binge-buying products you don’t end up using.

Should You Include Sun Balm in Your Skincare Routine?

This is a bit of a controversial subject in the nontoxic world. Vitamin D is essential for wellness across the board. In most cases, the benefits of mild sun exposure seem to outweigh potential aging side effects.

Our goal is health for the overall body.

We recommend getting gentle sunlight during early morning and late evening hours (this is great for your circadian rhythm, too!). If you know you’ll be exposed to harsh midday sun rays, then it’s wise to use all-natural sun protection to help avoid sun burns.

Hint: Drugstore sunscreens can cause just as much damage as UV rays. Many brands are full of chemicals and even known carcinogens. Apply with care!

All Your Skincare Needs in One Skincare Starter Set

Beginner skincare questions are so common at Toups and Co (we love hearing from you!) that we decided to create a Skincare Starter Set. It’s packed with our all-time favorite skincare ingredients (cleanser, tonic, serum, and mask) and discounted to help you save on your favorites along the way.

We believe in the simplicity of good skincare. A few targeted ingredients can do a lot more for your skin than an eight-step routine or the next trendy product. Not to mention the time it saves.

Good skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, but these products are a great place to start.

Jumpstart Your Skincare Routine with the Skincare Starter Set