I have felt betrayed by my own skin endlessly. It’s always had the texture of silk, smooth and radiant, but at the same time, I do not recall a time in my life when it wasn’t breaking out on me. Puberty, smog, PMS, pregnancy, breastfeeding, too many baby kisses, one too many pieces of chocolate, one too many cups of coffee, or just plain old breathing… my pores a depressing testament to it all. Still in my mid-forties, I sometimes wake up to a lone pimple or two, horrified, betrayed.
Should you relate, you know that the occasional well-meant advice uttered by those who haven’t encountered a blemish in person for fifteen-plus years might not prove itself too valuable. Desperate for any tips, though, I’d often ask anyway.
And so now, as the years of tackling my little skincare nightmare go by, I feel rather qualified to share a few tips myself. Let’s talk cleansing.
The Right Product for the Right Purpose at the Right Time
Accidentally proven on myself more than once, confusion about the purpose of various types of products can result in ugly, persistent pore clogging. Using the right products in their intended order is then equally important for keeping your pores fresh and clean.
1. Makeup Remover
...is specifically formulated to dissolve and remove makeup from the skin. They target ingredients in makeup products that are designed to have long-wear properties, ensuring your skin is free from makeup residues that can clog pores, cause breakouts, and hinder the effectiveness of other skincare products.
Our Eye Makeup Remover has become one of my can't-do-withouts. I also like to use it anywhere I layer several makeup products or use long-wear pieces (guilty of red lipstick quite often).
2. Cleanser
Cleansers go beyond just removing makeup. Their primary function is to cleanse the skin of dirt, excess oils, pollutants, and other impurities that accumulate on your skin throughout the day and night. They provide a deeper clean and help maintain the natural pH balance of your skin, prevent breakouts, and enhance texture and tone.
Our Detox Cleansing Gel is my personal favorite. Apart from loving the cleanse it provides, I appreciate that it doesn’t clean my skin “squeaky” stripped off its natural protective barrier. Thanks to AHAVA’s patented OsmoGuardTM complex, it creates the first layer of my skin’s protection against environmental pollutants and aggressors. Not to mention I can’t get enough of the scent!
3. Toner
Mistaking a toner for a cleanser does not end up well. Toner and its purpose in a skincare routine is often misunderstood, though – for our skin’s sake, let me transcend a skincare category and shed some light on the mysterious skincare product.
Toners serve a multipurpose role. They can further cleanse the skin, removing any last traces of impurities or product. Their primary function, though, is to prepare your skin for the next steps in your skincare regimen by balancing its pH level and to enhance the penetration of the products you apply next. Toners also soothe, refresh, and provide a layer of protection.
Our Mineral Toning Water is all you could wish for in a toner. No confusing it with a cleanser, though!
Want a Little Extra?
Makeup remover, cleanser, and toner are the perfect every-day partners on our journey to clean pores and glowing complexion. Want a little extra? Add a bit of depth with a detoxifying mask.
Once a week or two, I love to give my face a deeper cleanse with a detoxifying mask. Ours bear an obvious advantage – the Dead Sea mud. Dead Sea mud, even in its raw form, has been known and used for its purifying and healing properties for thousands of years (yes, the stories about Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, are true!).
I have tried every one of our detox masks and chosen my three stable champions:
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Detox Mud Mask is my preferred weekly pick – it’s gentle, yet thorough, only takes 2 – 3 min, and again, has an amazing scent.
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Purifying Mud Mask has its stable place in my cleansing cabinet as a pimple treatment – just dot it on the unwelcome visitors before and after confronting them and leave it do its detox job.
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Dunaliella Algae Peel-Off Mask is perfect for opening and cleansing the stubborn pores on my (and my teenage daughter’s) nose. Apply a generous layer of the lusciously black mask, let dry, and enjoy the oh-so satisfying peel off.
Where to place a detox mask in your routine? Just after your cleanser.
That’s it!
Once I fully understood and adjusted my cleansing routine with AHAVA (it took me much longer than I like to admit), my skin’s condition has improved dramatically. I won’t say it’s perfect now (hello, hormonal imbalances of the 5th decade) but the difference is not only visible, it is striking.
Happy cleansing, dear readers!
With love,
Emily Williams
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