Switching to chemical-free products didn't happen for me overnight.

Or even in a month.

Or a year.

Let's just say it's been a journey.

Of course I cringed using my typical lineup of lotions and potions after I fully understood the ingredient list. My initial instinct was to throw my whole medicine cabinet away and start all over with simple, clean, perfect products.

However, I'm frugal and practical (which is code for cheap and easily overwhelmed). I tackle one product at a time, replacing each as it runs out. When a bottle starts to make that comical pbbbbt sound when I squeeze it, I start my hunt. If I don't find a non-toxic option that is affordable and works just as well, if not better than my original, than I put the switch on the back burner and keep my eye out for feasible options.

I wasn't super happy with the standard drug store fare that comprised my daily skin care routine, yet I felt baffled at how to replace it. I think my problem was I didn't even know what an ideal daily skin regimen should be like.

Everything made my face too tight or dry or oily. Is toner supposed to burn? What do I buy for combination skin with an oily t-zone except when I'm pregnant then it's a dry t-zone but sometimes I have acne and a little bit of redness?

I'd like to see that description on a face wash label. Or simply "Suitable for skin that goes through weird changes."

Then I discovered the Oil Cleansing Method. I took a moment to roll my eyes at how crunchy I had become, and then dove in.

My skin sang in sweet. relief.

I'd been stripping my poor face of moisture and burning it with chemicals just to have so-so skin that, frankly, was probably just angry at me for treating it so badly.

I've tried this method with both olive oil and coconut oil and achieved good (not great) results. Bloggers who are advocates of the oil cleansing method say that each person has to play around with the proportion of oils to find a balance.

*currently the internet's most popular meme based off of a news report that went viral.

This is where Hosie Naturals Makeup Remover is a lifesaver.

Makeup remover? you say. Weren't we talking about oil cleansing?

This product is labeled as a makeup remover, but really functions perfectly as 2 products in 1.

I promise.

My husband uses it.

He definitely doesn't wear makeup.

As a makeup remover, this product does as promised: it easily and completely removes makeup. A few drops of makeup remover on a cotton round. Wipe. Hello, bare face.

How to Use As an Oil Cleanser:

1) Rub a small amount of Hosie Naturals Makeup Remover on dry skin. I like to spend about 30 seconds massaging it into my face and neck.

2) Run a wash cloth under hot (not too hot) water. Squeeze out excess water. Spread washcloth over face and neck and let the oils steam into your skin for a minute or two, until the rag starts to cool.

Ahh. It's like a spa, isn't it?

3) Wipe off extra oils with washcloth. Your face should be soft, clean and not greasy.

Once I discovered this, I completely ditched conventional cleansers. My skin has balanced out and finally stopped overproducing oil. My skin is smoother, my tone more even and dry patches are improved. I rarely ever get acne. It removes blackheads that seemed at one time to be permanent facial features (this last one happened specifically when using the Hosie product to oil cleanse.)

Haven't we been told for years that oil is bad for the skin? Cosmetics that tote the "oil-free" label on the front of the bottle mean that they are free of pore-clogging petroleum based oils that are unfriendly to skin. The oil cleansing method is based on the idea that "like dissolves like". Botanical-based oils gently break down the skin's excess oils, condition skin and wash away clean.

It's non-toxic and is safe for pregnant mamas. Like all Hosie products, the makeup remover also contains essential oils that are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and smell amazing!

Stay tuned for Part 2!

One lucky winner will get to MAKEOVER their entire skin care routine with this great GIVEAWAY!

This is one of our biggest giveaways, which also convenietly falls right around Mother's Day, so we threw in the earrings. Enter for your mom. Or yourself. We're not judging.

Prize includes: Hosie Naturals Makeup Remover/Oil Cleanser and 2 organic cotton velour reusable face rounds, Hosie Naturals Clay Face Mask, Hosie Naturals Deeply Norishing Face Serum, Sisal Pad w/hand strap, Hosie Naturals Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub, Handmade Earrings ($85 VALUE)

This giveaway will be ongoing throughout the three part Rethink Your Skin Care Routine Series and ends on Sunday, May 12th (That's Mother's Day for all of you who still need to get her a card.)