Improving Your Skin the Lowen’s Way

 

Remember being told to eat your vegetables as a toddler and having to stomach its overpoweringly peppery flavour? Some adults still need a little bit of reminding when it comes to their greens, and rightfully so. While celery and green beans don’t make regular appearances in everyone’s diet, you can enjoy the benefits of plant-based products in other ways—skincare! 

 

Beauty products rife with plant extracts are the next fad in the beauty movement. Organic skincare has worked wonders for boosting collagen production and fading unwanted age spots. A few lucky ones are born into spotless skin—so why should a green beauty routine matter? Let’s find out the Lowen’s way. 

 

Why Does Skincare Matter?

 

Skincare isn’t just a trend, and caring about it shouldn’t be either. Giving your skin a much-needed daily dose of love can prove creative and medical benefits. Fortunately, while you can’t slow the passage of time, a fine-tuned skincare regimen can reverse the effects of ageing by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

 

If you’re suffering from severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and cystic acne, pairing your medical routine with soothing skincare habits can ease stress on the body. Though a skincare routine may not be the end-all-be-all of a recurring condition, it can offer vital management methods and encourage you to engage in healthier habits. 

 

The Benefits of a Plant-Based Beauty Routine

 

Organic ingredients do happily without synthetic ingredients and fertilizers. As such, they are non-toxic on the skin and entirely sustainable. The benefits of a plant-based beauty routine are insurmountable—we’ll list some of our favourite ones. 

 

1. There Are No Harsh Chemicals

At Lowen’s, we keep things simple. That means formulating products with hardworking ingredients that provide multiple benefits. With that in mind, you’ll never see any of these harsh chemicals in your Lowen’s products: 

 

• Talc
• Asbestos
• Heavy metals
• Artificial colouring 
• Chemical fragrances
• Genetically modified materials

 

The majority of skincare products we apply on the skin will end up in our circulatory system. Whether makeup, sunscreen, lotion, lip balm, deodorant, or even shaving cream, a plant-based product will care as much about your insides as it does your outsides. Superfood ingredients and carefully designed formulas are all that make up a useful product. 

 

Look out for ingredients such as:

 

• Coconut oil: This hydrating oil suppresses the body’s natural inflammatory agents and can combat dry, itchy skin. You can use coconut oil on the scalp or body. 
• Oatmeal: Do you suffer from eczema or other forms of skin rashes? Oatmeal is an excellent way to soothe inflamed skin. Mix them into a paste with warm water and apply to itchy areas. 
• Tea tree oil: Nobody likes an unexpected blemish the day before a family portrait or significant event. Fight bacteria-driven acne with tea tree oil, every germ and fungus’ worst nightmare.
• Shea butter: Deeply moisturizing, shea butter can soothe itchy spots and ideal for sensitive skin. 

 

2. Environmentally Friendly

Nowadays, consumers prefer to patronize environmentally-conscious brands. From product to packaging, we are firm believers that what is safe for us is just as safe for you. 

 

We create worry-free products using evidence-based, peer-reviewed, and lab-tested ingredients that coincide with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) standards. Plant-based products are sustainably superior in their sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and selling processes compared to traditional products.

 

Eco-products contain only natural, oleochemical sources and have none of the following items you’d typically find in a human-made product:

 

• BHA and BHT
• Coal tar dyes
• Aluminum
• Dibutyl phthalate

 

3. Cruelty-Free

Plant-based products aren’t only kinder to your skin and the environment from which they’re sourced—they’re just as thoughtful of animals. Keep in mind that “animal friendly” and “not tested on animals” will not always mean the same thing. Most animal testing occurs on the ingredient level, so you’re dealing with two layers of truth. 

 

You can rest easy knowing Lowen’s is PETA-vetted and doesn’t test its products on animals. None contain animal extracts or by-products. We are proudly and ethically responsible. 

 

4. A True “Natural” Label

“Natural” and “all-natural” are non-regulated labelling terms. If you aren’t careful, you can stumble across a practice called “greenwashing,” which encourages consumers to purchase products that aren’t entirely free of toxic materials. Pay special attention to buzzwords, such as “pure,” “clean,” and “natural.” Sometimes, it’s a hoax! 

 

We love to be up-front with our customers and ensure that we label each product accurately and truthfully. From our Bubble Pastes to lip balms, we list every ingredient that we funnel into our unique formulas and stamp them with a seal of clean certification!

 

5. Support Local

Sensible sourcing isn’t just about how you extract an ingredient, but where you buy them from. Shopping local can reduce your carbon footprint by centralizing markets and reducing the need to travel out of town. Distributing local jobs means less traffic and pollution, minimizing infrastructure needs and efficiently utilizing public services.

 

Lowen’s sources local certified organic and fair-trade ingredients that allow our community to flourish economically. If we’re unable to hit the jackpot with a component close to home, we look into unrefined, organic, and fair-trade ingredients from other community-minded social enterprises. 

 

The Dos and Don’ts of Natural Skincare

 

Every routine adheres to a unique set of dos and don’ts that depend on your skin type. There is no one golden rule, but following a standard set of guidelines can only work to your advantage. 

 

The Greatest Commandment – DO: Remove your makeup before hitting the day. Just like you, your skin needs to breathe overnight. Leave your face slathered with foundation and mascara, and you risk clogging your pores and causing blemishes or blackheads. Using a makeup remover is the best way to achieve this, but you can just as easily use olive oil on a cotton pad. 

 

The Greatest Commandment – DON’T: Skimp on your exfoliation. Use our Get Buff! Vegan Exfoliating Facial Cleanser to remove dead skin once or twice a week. Containing walnut husks, Get Buff! allows you to enjoy a little bit of microdermabrasion activity that makes for a healthy selfie-worthy glow. Alternatively, you can combine a paste of walnut powder and plain yogurt. Its antioxidants promote radiant skin. 

 

Under the Sun – DO: Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, spots, or severe allergic reactions that you can avoid with the right product. Not a fan of the signature-sunblock scent? Purchase a product like the In Yo Face! Natural Vegan BB Cream with zinc oxide for some sunny day protection. Pay close attention to labels that read “non-comedogenic” and “non-acnegenic” to ensure that your pores can breathe freely. 

 

Under the Sun – DON’T: Skip your sunscreen on a cloudy day. You may not see the sun, but it undoubtedly sees you, especially on reflective surfaces such as snow and ice. Lather up your skin with a product of at least SPF 30 on extra-hot and sunny days. 

 

WaterWorks – DO: Stay hydrated! We can’t stress the importance of having a bottle of water handy quite enough. At best, aim to consume a minimum of eight glasses of water as recommended by your healthcare provider. Feel free to jump on the Klean Kanteen or Hydroflask rage—it’ll do your skin a favour! 

 

If you’re a fan of fruits and vegetables, double up your intake of watermelon, cucumber, orange, strawberries, grapefruits, and cantaloupe. If you’re heading out, mask your skin in a layer of Butter Balm to keep sensitive skin moisturized all day—and we don’t just mean your face! Apply Butter Balm to your cuticles, knuckles, heels, neck, and tattoos to keep all parts of your body refreshed. 

 

WaterWorks – DON’T: Dismiss the magic of rose water. If it doesn’t tickle your palate, remind yourself of its benefits—rose water can reduce eye puffiness in the morning, maintain a healthy pH, and moisturize your skin (if you’re spritzing it on). Similarly, don’t forget to invest in the right chapstick! Our Be Local Lip Balm contains 80% local and 60% organic ingredients that hydrate the lips for long periods. Did we mention it tastes delicious?

 

How to Transition into a Natural Skincare Routine

 

Ditching synthetic for natural isn’t as easy as you’d assume—but it does make for a more-than-enjoyable shopping spree and a handful of de-cluttering. Introducing new elements into a familiar routine is just as significant a lifestyle change as any. 

 

• Ease yourself into the process by incorporating one new product into your routine at a time. If you’ve ever come across the term “cold turkey,” you’ll know it doesn’t bode well for anyone. Give each product at least two weeks before trying your hand at another. 

 

• Learn what’s what before tossing out old products. As we mentioned above, “natural” labels are unregulated, but they don’t mean a product is toxic. Some scented products are naturally-fragranced. Beware products that lump specific ingredients into a single label. 

 

• Never assume. Just because a product is purely natural doesn’t mean it’ll bode well on your skin. If you spot hives or discoloration, take a step back. Retinoids and AHAs can be particularly challenging to work with—but it doesn’t mean the product isn’t doing you any good. Some items result in purging before clearing your skin of spots and rashes. If you’re at a crossroads between ditching the bottle and giving it a second chance, consult with your dermatologist. 

 

• Be patient and realistic. Despite the operant word “miracle,” even miracle serums don’t work their magic overnight. As with any new journey, you’ll need to be patient. Give each product a chance before deciding it doesn’t work for you and refrain from trying too many products at once. Similarly, you’ll want to keep it real. Someone’s holy grail might turn out to be your worst enemy—or vice versa! 

 

• Trust in the experts. By experts, we mean you. You and thousands of others like you know what works best on oily, dry, or combination skin. Refer to reviews according to matching skin types. 

 

• Test, test, test. There’s no better way to ditch the assumption than with a little trial and error. Stay away from ingredients you know your skin doesn’t take well to. 

 

Embrace Your Natural Beauty

 

What defines “natural beauty” is relative. For those past their prime, it’s about ageing gracefully. For those breaking into their twenties, it’s about maintaining a sought-after youthful glow. Ignoring the “natural beauty,” as defined by pop culture—fair, slim, tall, and clear-skinned—is the best way to embrace yours. 

 

Natural beauty surprises you and is as much about what occurs mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as it is about how you present yourself externally. Nowadays, natural beauty is hardly conventional, nor is it the opposite of what it used to be. “Natural” doesn’t imply perfect skin and on use for makeup. It pertains to what makes you feel comfortable, whether under a full-face of cosmetics or barely a dot of concealer. 

 

Attractiveness isn’t monotonous. In most cases, it’s what accentuates diversity, whether you achieve it with a basket full of your favourite Lowen’s products or throw on just a hint of tinted lip balm. Magazines and reality television will overlook, denigrate, and stereotype what black, white, or Asian beauty should look like, when it’s inherently unconditional and entirely up to what makes you feel presentable. 

 

Conclusion

 

Natural beauty is beyond skin deep—when you look good, you feel good. But why indulge in high-end products that don’t treat your skin like they should? Once a specific niche, natural cosmetics are a concept taking the beauty industry by storm and placing cleaner alternatives into the hands of consumers. As consumer demand for eco-conscious efforts continues to skyrocket, there are no signs of the beauty market pulling on its breaks anytime soon.

 

At Lowen’s, we stand by our thoughtfully sourced, natural vegan skincare products and are all about making your skin feel its best at affordable prices. From lip balms to body creams and exfoliating scrubs to gentle moisturizers, we want to give each part of your body a chance to feel rejuvenated.