How Going Makeup-Free Transformed My Skin: 5 Tips to Embrace Natural Beauty

The other day, I came across an old video of myself in our soap shop from ten years ago. Watching it brought back so many memories—not just of the early days of The Australian Natural Soap Company, but also my personal skin journey. Before ANSC, I was a journalist, where wearing heavy makeup was just part of the job—every day was about looking polished and ready for the camera.

Starting ANSC changed more than just my career; it changed how I saw beauty. Even though I was promoting natural products, I was still covering up my skin with makeup. So, I made a bold decision: I stopped wearing makeup. It wasn’t easy at first—there’s so much pressure from society to look “perfect”—but in time, letting my skin just be felt incredibly freeing.

If you’ve ever thought about going makeup-free, or even just giving your skin a break, I encourage you to give it a go. It’s been over a decade for me now, and I’ve never looked back. My skin is healthier, clearer, and more resilient. It’s not about being flawless—it’s about being real.

Here are my top five tips for going makeup-free and embracing natural beauty:

Going makeup-free doesn’t mean you have to give it up all at once. Start by focusing on your skincare routine. A healthy skincare routine makes it easier to feel confident without makeup. For me, it’s all about keeping it simple and nourishing my skin. My go-to routine involves just three steps: a gentle cleanse with our Pink Clay Cleanser, moisturising with macadamia oil, and always applying sunscreen. Keep it simple, and your skin will thank you!

When you first stop wearing makeup, your skin might take a little while to adjust. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect straight away. Without makeup clogging your pores, your skin gets a chance to breathe and heal. After a few weeks, you’ll start to notice changes—whether that’s reduced irritation or a more even complexion. Be patient, your skin will respond.

Even when you’re not wearing makeup, your skin is still exposed to the elements, so it’s important to protect it. Sunscreen is a must for me—it protects against sun damage, which is a major cause of premature ageing. Nourishing your skin with natural oils, like macadamia oil, helps to keep it hydrated and glowing.

One of the hardest parts of going makeup-free is ignoring the pressure to look a certain way. But makeup is not a true reflection of who you are. It’s easy to get caught up in society’s standards of beauty, but real beauty comes from how you feel, not how you look. Once you stop worrying about what others think and embrace your natural self, you’ll feel more empowered and confident than ever.

Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. Learn to listen to your skin. If it feels dry, give it some extra hydration. If it’s breaking out, consider what you’re eating or how you’re cleansing. Trust your skin—it knows what it needs. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s health.

By letting go of makeup and trusting in natural beauty, my skin has thrived. Going makeup-free isn’t about strict rules; it’s about finding what works best for you and giving your skin the chance to breathe and be itself. Simplicity can be powerful, and sometimes less really is more.

If you’ve been thinking about simplifying your skincare routine or going makeup-free, now might be the perfect time to give it a try. Trust your skin’s natural beauty—it’s more than enough.