When your skin is acting weird, it’s really hard to just sit back and do nothing.
We want to fix it.
We’ve been trained that when we see a symptom, we should do something about it.
But I’ve found that when I feel that urge the strongest… the best thing I can do is support what my body is already trying to do.
I talked about the lymphatic system here and how in the spring our body is helping to lighten the load by getting rid of what’s no longer needed. That’s true of our skin as well, as it’s one of the ways our body eliminates what it doesn’t need.
So why not help it along?
If you haven’t read why I approach spring skin this way, I share more about that here.
What Support Can Look Like
There are a few things I’ve tried and continue to use during this time of year—or anytime my skin needs a little help.
And sometimes… just because it feels good and my skin likes it.
Steams are great for congested or dull skin. They help open the pores and encourage circulation, which can support your skin in releasing what might be contributing to irritation.
This is something you’ll want to use occasionally. It’s not something you need often—maybe once a week or even every few weeks. And if your skin is already inflamed, heat may not be the best choice.
The simplest form of a steam is just hot water. I’ve done this many times and it feels fabulous.
Boil a couple of cups of water and pour it into a heat-safe bowl. Then gently tent your head with a towel, being careful not to get too close so you don’t burn yourself.
I like to add herbs (of course), depending on what I feel like I need—or just what sounds good.
You can add loose herbs directly to the bowl or make a strong tea first and pour that in. Chamomile or lavender are wonderful for calming the skin and smell amazing. Calendula is one of my go-tos for almost anything skin-related. And rose is always a lovely addition for facial steams.
I love a good mask too. I use these most often in the shower, which makes them really simple to work into my routine.
Masks can help draw, soothe, or soften your skin depending on what you use.
A simple mix of clay and water is a great place to start. Kaolin clay is a gentle option that works well for most skin types and feels really nice on the skin. If you’d like to try a different clay, here’s an article about a few different types you can check out if you’d like. You can also mix it with an herbal tea using your favorite skin-loving herbs.
Oats are another favorite of mine. I run them through a coffee grinder (one I only use for herbs) or a blender to make a finer powder. Then mix with water, tea, or even a creamy yogurt.
If you want it to feel a little more luxurious, mix it and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes before using it. This allows the oats to soften and thicken, creating a silky texture that feels amazing and is incredibly soothing.
Or you can be like me and mix clay and oats together. Nothing fancy—just combine them in whatever ratio feels right to you. A 50/50 mix, 70/30…and a little water. There’s no wrong way to do it.
Cleansing is probably the simplest of all.
Once I really started paying attention to my skin, I realized I didn’t need much at all. Simple warm water and a soft washcloth often do the trick.
For many people—especially on the face—soap can be really drying. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, and harsh cleansers can strip away what your skin actually needs. Ask me how I know.
For years I thought the only way to get clean skin was to use soap. I tried all kinds of expensive cleansers, and when I couldn’t afford those, I used whatever I could find that looked like a “facial soap.”
Once I started learning more, I began reading ingredients and looking into what they actually do. I’ve always been sensitive to fragrances, and many of those products were full of them—along with other things my skin didn’t love.
Between the drying effect and the irritation, my face was a mess.
When I started working with herbs and trying to figure things out, I began with olive oil. The idea of putting olive oil on my face felt awful at first. It just seemed so… oily.
But it turned out to be exactly what my skin needed. I was honestly surprised at how soft and smooth my skin felt. Since then, I’ve changed things up depending on how my skin feels.
Some days I’ll use witch hazel on a cotton ball. It’s a gentle, natural astringent that works really well. Then I follow that with a few drops of an infused oil as a moisturizer. Other days, I’ll just use an oil to cleanse.
Our skin changes with the weather, with our hormones, with what we eat, and even with our mood. What works one day might not be what you need the next—and that’s okay.
Start paying attention to how your skin feels and how it responds. Simple water, witch hazel, a little more moisture—it can shift day to day.
It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. Keeping things simple allows your skin to do what it needs to do without harsh ingredients trying to force a result.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with just one thing. Use warm water to wash your face. If you wear makeup, try removing it with a simple oil on a cotton ball.
The same oils you can buy at the grocery store work just fine. You don’t need much, so you can even buy a small bottle to test things out.
Different oils work better for different skin types, and I’ve put together a simple list you can check out here if you want some guidance. Otherwise, olive oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil are easy places to start.
Give it a try for a week or two and see how your skin responds.
Don’t Overdo It
You don’t have to try all of this at once. Too much change at once can be just as hard on your skin as using the wrong product.
Start with one thing—like changing how you cleanse—and give that a week or two.
Then, if you want, try adding in a steam or a mask once a week. You could try a steam one week, then a mask the next.
I also have a free booklet with a handful of simple 2- and 3-ingredient oat facial scrubs that can double as masks. If you don’t already have it, you can grab it here. Most of the ingredients are things you probably already have at home.
And when it comes to ingredients, just use the best you can afford. Organic can be more expensive, but you’re using small amounts, so even a small package can last quite a while.
If You Want to Go a Little Further
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with these simple techniques, you can start to build on them if you’d like.
You might try making an infused oil, or adding a drop or two of an essential oil you enjoy. Frankincense is a favorite for skin support and smells wonderful. I like to add a few drops to my rose or calendula infused oils and use that on my face and neck.
And don’t forget—what you put into your body matters just as much as what you put on it.
When your body gets overloaded, it often shows up on your skin. Supporting digestion can make a noticeable difference here. I talked more about bitters in this article. They’re a simple way to support digestion and help your body process what you take in more effectively.
The Moral of the Story
Less really is better than more.
When you support your body in simple ways, it does what it’s meant to do.
Trying to force a result usually just complicates things—and often creates more issues than it solves.
So what have you tried? Which of these ideas would you start with? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—feel free to share in the comments.
