Primally Pure Skin Care
Skin care. My gosh, what a journey it has been over the last 35 years. I most definitely did not inherit flawless skin. Quite the contrary, in fact. Extreme sensitivity, eczema, perioral dermatitis, breakouts, … you name it, I’ve probably experienced it. I started seeing a dermatologist when I was young (13, maybe?), and that’s when I was first introduced to the term perioral dermatitis. Later in my life, right after college, I battled some severe eczema breakouts. SO painful. I vividly remember walking outside in shorts while it was snowing one winter because the freezing cold air was the only thing that would soothe my poor eczema covered legs. It was awful.
Looking back on all of my experiences, I can pretty confidently say they were all hormone-related. I didn't realize it at the time, but it’s so obvious to me now. Doctors, dermatologists, everyone tried telling me the same thing… take steroids, apply steroid cremes, use gentle soaps, don’t wash too often, avoid fragrance, oatmeal baths, etc. It was always the same story. IT. NEVER. WORKED. No one was ever trying to solve the root problem, just the symptoms.
I hadn’t had a bad flare up in several years, so last summer was quite the rude awakening. Super long story short, I got an IUD (intrauterine device) in October 2022. I had it for six months before finally getting it removed. I was MISERABLE. It wasn’t dislodged. It wasn’t broken. My body just straight up rejected the foreign device. I was so sick. I had it removed March 1, 2023. I immediately felt better, but then my hormones went into a tailspin. My entire body FREAKED, especially my skin. By June 2023, as you can see in the photos below, my skin was showing the effects of the hormonal rollercoaster.
I felt at a loss for how to proceed, but I knew what any doctor or dermatologist was going to tell me… The same exact things they had been telling me for 20+ years. It never worked. In fact, it usually made things worse, so I decided to do things different this time around. I decided to focus on balancing my hormones, making sure my gut health was in tip top shape, removing (and then slowly reintroducing) things from my diet that were adding to the inflammation, and putting only non-toxic, natural skincare products on my body. I ditched everything I was previously using on my skin and started using only Primally Pure.
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The four photos above show the progression of my skin over the last 8+ months while using Primally Pure.
The first photo is from early June 2023. My skin was SO ANGRY. I ditched everything and used only Primally Pure from here forward. I called my Mom the morning I took this photo and burst into tears. I’m not a crier, but I was at a complete loss of what the heck to do. My skin not only looked awful, but it was extremely painful.
The second photo is from late June 2023. My skin is clearly still irritated and very sensitive, but the pain has subsided significantly and the redness/bumps have started to reduce as well.
The third photo is from July 2023. If this was as good as it was going to get, that was perfectly fine by me. I have never had clear or blemish-free skin, but this felt like night and day compared to a month ago. This is also after a few weeks of testing Primally Pure’s new Everything Balm. I noticed significant improvement in my skin while using it. They officially released it to the market shortly after this, and I continue to use it daily.
The fourth photo is from February 2024. Eight months after the initial photo. I have stuck with Primally Pure the entire time. I’ve switched up the products a bit (more info on that below) as my skin has gotten into a nice groove. I’ve also recently adjusted the tools I’m using (cupping, bian gua sha stone) and have seen dramatic improvement in my complexion, visible lines, wrinkles, and puffiness as a result.
Here’s a look at the products I initially used in June 2023 to repair and soothe my extremely irritated and sensitive skin. I used these exact products for a good six+ months before trying anything new.
PRIMALLY PURE : INITIAL
the products i used for the first six months to initially repair my skin
Jade Gua Sha Stone : I had never used anything like this so there was definitely a bit of a learning curve, but I watched several how-to videos from Primally Pure and kept at it. I used this just about every night before bed.
Cleansing Oil (Normal) : It took me a little while to get used to using oil on my skin. I always thought doing so would cause even more breakouts, but that definitely proved to be incorrect. I continue to use this every single night.
Everything Spray : Love it. I use it both morning and night. It really helps sooth my skin and keep me moisturized.
Soothing Cream : I used this every night after applying the Soothing Serum. It really helped calm my irritated skin.
Everything Balm : This was a later addition to my routine as it wasn’t even on the market in June 2023. Primally Pure actually reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in testing a new product designed specifically for calming inflammatory skin conditions. I said YES! Absolutely. I used the entire jar they sent and immediately ordered more once it officially hit the market. This stuff is like magic. It heals anything. I continue to use it daily. If I were to travel and didn’t want to bring a bunch of stuff, I would pack this.
Soothing Serum : The soothing serum really helped reduce my redness and irritation. My skin immediately felt better after applying.
Clarifying Mask : I used this pretty religiously for those first few months. I would use it 2-3x per week at night before bed. When my skin was really irritated, this stuff would actually burn a little for the first few minutes but then would signifactly reduce redness and irritation. It made my skin feel SO much better. I would see visible improvement in my skin the next morning after using this. I think it really helped turn my skin around.
Lip Balm (Peppermint) : I love this stuff. I’m on my third or fourth at this point, but nothing else compares. I’ve ditched everything else I used to use. Definitely recommend.
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In January 2024, I felt like my skin was finally healed enough to venture into trying some slightly different products. I wasn’t identifying my skin as quite so sensitive anymore, so I transitioned away from the “Soothing” line and decided to try the “Clarifying” instead. I was still experiencing the occasional breakout while using the soothing products, so I was hopeful I’d notice some improvement with the clarifying, and I absolutely did. It took a few weeks to fully adjust, but I really started seeing some improvement in my complexion.
In early February 2024, I accidentally dropped my Jade Gua Sha Stone on the bathroom floor and it shattered. I immediately went to order a new one but got distracted doing a little research. I ended up deciding to try something new. I ordered the Facial Cupping Tools and the Bian Gua Sha Stone instead. After only a few weeks, I have seen DRAMATIC improvement in my skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark spots, you name it. They have all decreased significantly. Tyler and I call it voodoo botox. Ha! I can’t recommend everything enough.
PRIMALLY PURE : TODAY
the products i am using today
Facial Cupping Tools : These are the latest addition to my lineup, and they are now my favorite. Tyler and I call it voodoo botox. It’s like magic! Fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, etc. just disappears. LOVE THESE!
Bian Gua Sha Stone : I decided to try this after accidentally shattering my jade stone, and I really like it. I’m glad I started with the jade to learn technique, but the bian feels even more effective. My only negative is that it’s slightly larger (more round) and therefore a little harder for me to hold on to.
Cleansing Oil (Normal) : Still using the same cleansing oil and love it. I use it at night.
Everything Spray : Same spray as well. Really like it and definitely see improvement in my skin from using it.
Clarifying Serum : I switched to the Clarifying line of products in January and have really like them. I am definitely seeing fewer breakouts and clogged pores. If anyone got on the Vintner’s Daughter band wagon a few years ago, this serum smells identical and is just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
Clarifying Cream : Love this cream! I use it morning and night. It hydrates my skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
Everything Balm : I still swear by this stuff. It heals anything. Can’t recommend enough!
Antioxidant Balm : Really liking this balm. I definitely see a brighter complexion after using it, and my skin always feels so happy when I apply. My only negative is that it will transfer slightly onto your pillows. If you use white sheets or something, just be prepared that you will see a little orange transfer, but it washes right out. Not a problem, just something I wanted to mention.
Lip Balm (Peppermint) : Still use it every day and night. Still love it.
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As far as my night and day routines, this is what I do:
NIGHT ROUTINE
1 | Wash face with Branch Basics Foaming Wash* to remove all makeup, dirt, etc.
2 | Apply Cleansing Oil. Pat dry.
3 | 3-4 pumps of Everything Spray into hands and applied to face.
4 | Apply Serum.
5 | Use tools (gua sha stones, cupping, etc.). I use the same BB Foaming Wash to clean all of my tools after use each night.
6 | Apply Cream.
7 | Apply Everything Balm and/or Antioxidant Balm.
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We use Branch Basics for absolutely everything in our household. I cannot recommend enough.
DAY ROUTINE
1 | Splash face with very cold water. Pat dry.
2 | 3-4 pumps of Everything Spray into hands and applied to face.
3 | Apply Cream.
I have tried a few other Primally Pure products. Thoughts on those are below.
PRIMALLY PURE : other
the other products i’ve tried
Tinted Lip Balm : I love the idea of this tinted lip balm, but there is something about the rose scent that is just a little off-putting for me. I like it. Don’t love it. I tend to use my plain old Peppermint Lip Balm instead.
Plumping Mask : All three of the masks are great. My skin is always so happy and glowing after using them.
Dry Shampoo : I’ve never had oily hair, so I am completely new to the dry shampoo game. I will say, however, that since using an oil cleanser, serums, creams, etc. on my face, I have noticed a lot more oil around my hairline. I only wash my curly hair 2x/week, so I’ve started incorporating a little dry shampoo on the day(s) before I wash. I like this one, but I do think the aerosol spray ones are a little more convenient.
Soothing Mask : Again, love all of the masks. You really can’t go wrong.
Blue Tansy Deodorant : Primally Pure is actually most known for their natural deodorant. I tried it initially and did like it, but then I developed a severe reaction to the baking soda. This is very common if you, too, have sensitive skin. I considered trying the charcoal since I heard others with sensitive skin had better luck with it, but I haven’t done so yet.
Nature Spray : This is PP’s version of mosquito repellant. We used it just a couple of times last year and did like it, but we just haven’t really put it to the test yet. I’m going to give it another run this summer.
Facial Dry Brush - I’ve heard so many people rave about dry brushing that I decided to give it a go myself. I use the brush each morning as soon as I wake up - before I splash my face with cold water. I do think it has helped improve my skins appearance, but I’m still very much testing it out.
Whipped Body Butter - I tried this for the first time about a month ago and loved it so much I just ordered more. The whipped texture is so nice and my skin has never been happier. The scent was a little strange at first, but I’ve grown to like it. I find it smells much better on the skin than just in the container. I would definitely recommend.
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This post is not sponsored or in partnership with any of the aforementioned brands, but the article contains affiliate links. When you shop via the links above, I may make commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.