A Simple Natural Skincare Routine in 3 Steps (That You'll Actually Keep Doing)

There was a season when my bathroom counter held eleven bottles and I used maybe three of them. The rest sat there, half-full and a little accusing, every time I brushed my teeth. One Saturday I cleared it off, and I've never gone back.

If you're craving a simple natural skincare routine, one that fits between packing lunches and getting out the door, you're in good company. A lot of women I talk to are tired of complicated routines, confusing labels, and spending money on products that don't seem to do much. The good news is that skin often does best with less. In this guide I'll share the 3-step routine I use every day, how to adjust it for your skin, and the few small extras that are actually worth your time.

Why does a simple skincare routine work so well?

Here's what I've learned from stirring batch after batch of tallow in my kitchen and listening to women talk about their skin. More products don't always mean better skin. Every product you add is another set of ingredients, another chance for something to disagree with you, and another step you might skip when you're tired.

Your skin already does a lot of work on its own. It makes its own oils, sheds old cells, and keeps a moisture barrier in place. A good routine supports that rhythm instead of fighting it. That usually means cleansing gently enough that you don't strip your skin, and moisturizing well enough that it feels comfortable all day.

Simple routines are also easier to stick with. And consistency is what makes any routine feel worth it. A three-step routine you do every day will serve you better than a ten-step routine you do twice a week.

The routine that works is the one you'll actually do on a Tuesday night when you're exhausted.

What is a simple natural skincare routine in 3 steps?

This is the exact routine I use, morning and night. It takes about a minute.

1. Cleanse gently. In the morning, I usually just splash my face with lukewarm water. At night, I use a small amount of a mild cleanser to wash off makeup and the day. Thirty seconds of gentle washing is plenty. If your skin feels tight or squeaky afterward, your cleanser may be too strong.
2. Leave it damp. Pat your face with a soft towel, but don't dry it completely. A little water left on your skin gives your moisturizer something to hold in.
3. Moisturize with something simple and rich. Scoop less than a pea-size amount of whipped tallow and rub it right onto your face and neck; it melts on contact. Use a little extra on dry spots. Let it settle for a few minutes before makeup.

That's it. Really. I know it seems almost too simple, but many people find their skin feels softer and more comfortable once they stop layering so many products.

Why use tallow in a natural skincare routine?

When I was looking for one rich, simple moisturizer for my own family, tallow kept coming up, and I understand why now. Grass-fed tallow is rich in fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid, which are similar to the fats your skin naturally produces. It also contains small amounts of vitamins A, D, E, and K. That means it feels nourishing on dry skin in a way that lighter lotions sometimes don't.

Because it's so rich, it can do double duty. The same jar works for your face, your hands, your elbows, and your heels, which is a big part of how I got my counter down from eleven bottles to a few. If you'd like the step-by-step for faces specifically, read how to use tallow on your face.

I'll be honest, though: tallow isn't for everyone. Some people love it on their face, and others find it better for body and hands. Whether it clogs pores varies from person to person, so I always suggest starting small. I wrote a whole honest article on whether tallow clogs pores if that's on your mind.

How do I adjust a simple routine for my skin type?

The three steps stay the same. What changes is how much you use and how often. Here's how I'd think about it:

If you're dealing with seasonal dryness, my winter skincare routine for dry skin builds on these same three steps with a few cold-weather habits.

What extras are actually worth it?

I'm not against extras. I just think they should earn their place on your counter. Here are the few I think are worth considering:

• Gentle exfoliating, once a week or less. A soft washcloth used gently can be enough. Skip it if your skin feels raw or irritated.
• A lip balm. Lips don't make their own oils, so a simple balm is a small step that makes a big difference.
• A humidifier in dry months. It's not a product you put on your skin, but many people find their skin feels more comfortable when the air isn't so dry.
• Sleep, water, and a decent pillowcase. Not glamorous, but they're part of how your skin looks and feels.

Anything beyond that is a personal choice. If you love a certain serum and your skin loves it too, keep it. The point of a simple routine isn't to follow rules. It's to stop spending time and money on things that aren't helping.

How do I switch to a simpler routine without upsetting my skin?

Go slowly. If you're currently using several products, don't stop everything and start something new on the same day. Drop one or two products at a time, and add one new product at a time. Give each change about a week or two before making another. That way, if your skin reacts, you'll know why.

Always patch test new products, including mine. Apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist or behind your ear and wait a day. Essential oils can irritate some skin, so if yours is sensitive, start with an unscented option. If you're pregnant, or choosing products for a baby, check with your doctor or pediatrician first.

And if you have a skin condition, like ongoing redness, rashes, or breakouts that don't settle, please see a doctor or dermatologist. A simple routine can be lovely, but it's not a substitute for medical care.

Frequently asked questions

Bethany makes Divine Wellness tallow skincare in small batches in Tomball, Texas. This article is for general education and isn't medical advice; for a skin condition, talk with your doctor or dermatologist. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.