Keeping your skin glowing and healthy doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on chemical-laden skincare products. The CTM routine—short for Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturizing—is a simple yet effective way to maintain your skin’s natural balance. And the best part? You can follow this routine using natural ingredients already sitting in your kitchen.
Let’s walk through a fully natural CTM routine tailored for different skin types—oily, dry, and sensitive—so you can ditch the chemicals and still enjoy beautiful, nourished skin.
Cleansing: Wash Away the Day Naturally
For Oily and Combination Skin:
- Mix a tablespoon of fuller’s earth with water or rose water, massage gently, then rinse.
- Buttermilk deeply cleanses and exfoliates; just avoid it if you have dry or sensitive skin.
- Gram flour and a pinch of turmeric combined with water make a great natural brightening cleanser.
- Aloe vera gel, scooped fresh from the leaf, cools the skin and leaves it refreshed.
For Dry Skin:
- A blend of raw milk and honey gently cleanses while hydrating the skin. Leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing.
- Mix gram flour with milk and massage onto the skin, then rinse after 5–10 minutes.
- Yogurt, rich in lactic acid, naturally eliminates impurities and nourishes dry skin.
- Combine rose water, a little glycerin, and honey for a gentle, sweet-smelling cleanser.
For Sensitive Skin:
- Basil-infused water makes a soothing facial rinse. Just steep chopped basil leaves in hot water, strain, and cool.
- Rub seedless grape halves directly onto your skin—gentle and rich in antioxidants.
- Mix apple cider vinegar with warm water and a drop of castile soap for a simple, gentle cleanse.
- A paste of honey, coconut oil, and baking soda creates a mild cleanser that soothes and refreshes.
Toning: Restore Balance and Tighten Pores
For Oily and Combination Skin:
- Use cooled green tea as a toner by applying it with a cotton ball.
- Boiled and blended cucumber juice makes for a refreshing toner when stored in the fridge.
- Mix tomato juice with honey for a hydrating and toning combo.
- Lemon juice diluted with water helps tone, though it’s not ideal for acne-prone skin.
For Dry Skin:
- Boil fresh rose petals in water, strain, and use the fragrant water to tone your skin.
- Equal parts rose water and vinegar make a gentle, balancing toner.
- Coconut water and raw milk work well together to restore moisture after cleansing.
- Boiled mint water also acts as a natural toner that soothes and cools.
For Sensitive Skin:
- Aloe vera juice applied with a cotton ball calms the skin.
- Chilled water works as a simple but effective toner.
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water for a pH-balancing toner.
- Calendula (marigold) tea, made by steeping dried petals in hot water, helps reduce irritation and improves skin texture.
Note: Natural toners are best used within four days of preparation to ensure freshness.
Moisturizing: Lock in Hydration Naturally
For Oily and Combination Skin:
- Combine jojoba oil with a few drops of frankincense and lavender essential oils—perfect for overnight nourishment.
- A blend of raw milk, olive oil, and a bit of lime juice can double as a natural lotion.
- Rosehip oil, especially lightweight and anti-inflammatory, is ideal for oily skin types.
- Argan oil, just a couple of drops patted into the skin, hydrates without clogging pores.
For Dry Skin:
- Olive oil is a time-tested remedy for dry, flaky skin.
- Mix aloe vera gel with coconut oil for a soothing daily moisturizer.
- Sweet almond oil deeply hydrates and helps skin retain moisture all day.
- Fresh cream massaged into the skin is rich and nourishing—perfect for a weekly treat.
For Sensitive Skin:
- Hemp seed oil calms inflammation and helps soothe red, irritated skin.
- A pea-sized amount of mango butter melts into the skin and acts as a gentle, nourishing balm.
- Dip a cloth in warm milk and place it over your face for a simple, calming treatment.
- Blend vitamin E oil with rose oil and aloe vera juice for a natural moisturizer that doubles as a skin detox.
With patience and consistency, natural skincare can bring out your skin’s natural radiance without exposing it to harsh chemicals. This DIY CTM routine isn’t just cost-effective—it’s kinder to your skin and the environment. Let nature take care of your beauty, one step at a time.