This week, I had the pleasure of hosting a series of events in San Francisco with our friends at Ayla Beauty, our first store in the US. The week kicked off with a magical tour of the botanical garden, followed by individual consultations. I also held a workshop where we discovered how to read and interpret natural skincare product labels, and it ended with a masterclass that left everyone with an enviable glow.
Since I have visited San Francisco on several occasions, I knew I had to prepare for the city's changing weather. Even though this time of year usually has mild temperatures, I couldn't just rely on my phone's weather app or by looking out my room's window overlooking Presidio Avenue. The same thing always happens to me: the moment I step onto California Street and turn onto Fillmore to get my coffee in my reusable cup, the cold wind forces me to completely re-evaluate my skincare routine.
With this in mind, I apply several products. First, the innovative Ultra Revitalizing Elixir, loaded with humectants to retain moisture in the outer layers of my skin. Then, Plant Perfection Gel Serum, which leaves my face fresh and more rested, disguising the signs of jet lag. In addition, I maintain the habit of regularly using Intelligent Frontier Facial Oil, as it provides protection and strengthens my skin's natural barrier, preparing it to face the challenging Bay Area climate. Finally, I seal all these benefits with one of our moisturizers, Artemisia for the day and Nutritive Repair Emulsion at night.
However, on Tuesday, the air quality worsened considerably due to wildfires in Oregon. I could feel my skin getting dirty by the minute. Once back in my hotel room, I stood in front of the sink wondering what would be the best cleansing option this time: the divine Clementine Cleansing Balm or the powerful Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser. After some thought, I chose to use Clementine, leaving it on my skin for about 10 minutes as a hydrating mask, dissolving impurities trapped in my pores. Then, I gently removed it with a damp muslin cloth. This balm is ideal for both nourishing the skin and combating blackheads. However, although it left my skin clean and supple, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was neglecting another of my creations. So, in the end, I ended up doing a double cleanse with Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser. The real magic happened when I emulsified the product with my wet hands and completely removed it with the help of The Hand Wand. This way, I knew I had managed to eliminate any trace of pollution from my skin. This cleanser is very effective if you are looking for a deep skin detox and serves as a valid natural alternative to chemical exfoliants, while still being gentle enough for daily use. It is a good option if you are concerned about hyperpigmentation, if you have combination/oily or acne-prone skin, or if you want to improve your skin's texture.
The rest of the week went as expected, and now that I have returned to Europe, I feel very fortunate to have spent time with all those people who took a moment to stop by and say hello while I was in the city I affectionately call "my home away from home."