as the eastern seaboard battles hurricane arthur’s inclement weather, i’m having my own state of emergency.
on. my. face.
the summer heat is taking a toll on my already stock-plummeting skin.
last week my pores swelled to swimming pool-size status.
no joke.
i hosted games of marco polo and day-long chicken fights across the bridge of my nose and chin; all of course post-gay pride parade.
this week it was time to bring in my summer arsenal for pore clearing, sunscreen excavating, and overall deep cleansing.
here are some of my favorite weapons in summer skin treatments:
i can’t remember if i’ve written about canus all natural moisturizing mask before.
i should have.
although this mask confuses me, i’m wrapped around its fresh goat-milk finger.
it’s like that super-cold, loner guy in high school, who seems to hate you for wearing penny loafers, smirk during your passè composè oral, and will no doubt shatter your heart with the first chance he gets.
but once you got to know him, he’ll quote t.s. eliot with tears in his eyes, and pick all the poppy seeds off an everything bagel for you.
that’s like this mask.
at first feel this mask feels too strong; like it’s going to leave your face looking like lunchmeat from all of the dirt and grime mining, but give it a minute or two and your face feels like a lucky, frosted birthday cake.
wash the mask off and your skin feels like it’s your 18th birthday….well maybe NOT 18, but it’s definitely softer, smoother, and uber moisturized.
ok, definitely more of a tingly, pop-rock party on my face, type of mask, this mini-peel from alba botanica does the job and then some.
a clear, is-that-gel-in-your-hair mask, this pore purifyer unearths “embedded toxins” with a 6% alpha hydroxy fruit acid.
i like this because it’s gentle to use {for me} all the way under my eyes; which helps exfoliate my not-so-fine lines.
and here’s another gem from alba botanica: this deep-sea facial mask goes subterranean diving into your pores.
consistently rated high by bloggers, magazines, and home reviewers, the marine complex + kaolin clay combo-bite provides a noticeable brightening of the skin and face.
i like to use this one in the summer because it also is very cooling….great after a sweaty spin session or hot yoga flow.
i’m not much of a toner girl, but in the summer i recommend avalon organics balancing toner. it’s anti-oxidant rich, anti-aging, and just gives you that extra layer of clean without stripping your skin’s natural moisture.
all of these products are cruelty-free, free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and sodium methyl sulfate.
none of these products cost more than $11….
here’s to deep pore diving.