Detox Your Skin With Activated Charcoal

If you have oily, acne-prone and combination skin, you may or may not know that activated charcoal carries a gamut of benefits; reason being, it does a great job of purging impurities, clearing out congested pores and getting rid of pollutants. Activated charcoal simply means that it was heated and/or processed to increase its adsorptive capability. By definition, adsorption happens when molecule(s) adhere to the surface. So using chemistry's simplistic parallelism, imagine all the dirt and gunk adhering to the adsorbent, charcoal that is. I had the opportunity to try some products (with activated charcoal) from derma|e, a natural skincare company with surprisingly affordable products to boot. Scroll down for full details!

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I'm not new to activated charcoal-based products. For someone who used to have oily and acne-prone skin, I can attest to its efficacy. My skin type changed when I hit the big four-o range so what used to be a grease ball is now combo (blame hormonal, blame aging, haha). With that said, my skin has finally cleared up from the rubble, save for one annoying zit that does a cameo appearance every month, no thanks to menses. Now whether that zit above my lip was directly related to my period or the act of purifying deep-seated comedone by derma|e remained debatable. Storm before the calm, I'd take it as long as it won't be catastrophic. Period over, pimple has dried up. The leprechaun pimple's curse was reversed. Clear and detoxed skin for days, can I get an Amen for derma|e?

Mind you, this purifying triumvirate transforms my me-time to a great home-spa session. I start by washing my face with Purifying Gel Cleanser ($15, 6 fl oz/ 175 ml). It has quite a slip but feels good and light on the face. For exfoliation, I massage Purifying Daily Detox Scrub ($15.50, 4 oz/ 113 g). The tiny apricot powder has the right amount of grit. Finally, I apply the Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask ($19.50, 1.7 oz/48 g) and let it soak in for 15 minutes (that is if I don't doze off). The end result? smooth and clean... oh yeah, pampering to the next level!

I like deluxe sized products because they are handy for travel, just like derma|e Purifying Toner Mist (full size $15.50, 2 fl.oz, 60ml). It features Marine Algae (Bladderwrack seaweed: known for its hydrating property, Green Tea (antioxidant), Aloe Leaf Juice (revives skin's hydration), among others.    It's a great addition to summer must-haves, what with all the humidity! If you're a long-time reader of this blog, then you are aware that I am addicted to facial serums. I have tried so many and I'm glad to add derma|e Purifying Youth Serum ($29.50, 1 fl oz/30ml). Its quality is comparable to some high-end brands from my stash sans the exorbitant tag. Indicated for oily and urban or active skin-types (meaning typically exposed to pollutants), this serum feels light on the face and renders optimal hydration. It can also pass for a nice makeup primer so that will definitely cut down your beauty and skincare routine.

Overall, if you are looking for cruelty-free, fragrance-free and allergy-tested skincare products, derma|e won't disappoint!