mothermade charcoal powder wash – THE MOTHER MADE EDIT

#Skinconfessions. MOTHER MADE team members share their summer skincare routine feat. Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash. Ep.3.

For this episode of #skinconfessions installment, we’ re talking to our assistant manager, Eva Babicheva. She manages the brand social media accounts and PR inquiries.

I: How would you describe your skin?

Eva: I have combination oily skin that can get dehydrated easily even in summer. I’ve done a lot of damage in my teen years – the concept of sunscreen was non-existent for me, and I loved tanning. And let’s not even mention years of neglecting hydration and over-using sebum-controlling toners. Now. I’m paying the price.

I: Do you have any particular skincare concerns?

E: Sun damage is definitely a big one for me. I’ve started to notice that my skin got sort of dull, not as firm as it used to be with fine lines and mimic wrinkles popping up here and there. Oh, and let’s not forget enlarged pores and blackheads! So, yeah, lots of concerns.

I: How would you describe your lifestyle?

E: I’d say balanced. I spend most of my time behind the desk in the office. But I try to compensate by going swimming every morning and commuting to work definitely helps to keep me moving. I also try to stay active on weekends – meeting friends, going to cafes and art galleries. It might sound like too much, but weekends on a couch is not my cup of tea.

I: Walk us through your typical summer morning and evening skincare routine.

E: I start my day in a swimming pool, so whether I want it or not, morning face wash with a cleanser is a must. It probably adds to the dehydration issue, but there’re a lot of people in the pool, so I feel like it’s a necessity. After that, I focus on one and only thing – hydration. First is a hydrating toner, then some kind of serum, followed by a hydrating yet lightweight lotion and a thick layer of sunscreen. Once I get home, I put on cc or bb cream, and I’m off to work.

My evening routine isn’t that different from the morning one. As soon as I get home, I double cleanse and follow up with the trusted toner-serum-moisturizer formula. Sometimes, I’ll squeeze a sheet mask in between. Right now, it’s too hot in Seoul, so I use the same moisturizer as in the morning. I make sure to layer it up, so I won’t wake up with tight skin.

I: How does an Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash fit in your skincare routine?

E: I use every night as my second cleanser. It’d be great to use it twice a day, but I keep my skincare in the pool locker, and the storage conditions aren’t ideal for powder cleansers. Too hot and humid. In the evening, I don’t use foaming nets, but sometimes I’ll use a silicone pore brush if my skin feels extra congested. But most of the time, I just foam it with hands and massage into skin. I really enjoy this part –adding water and watching the bubbles form – it’s my form of meditation.

I: What do you like about Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash the most?

There are so many things about this cleanser that I appreciate. As someone with dehydrated oily (and blackhead prone) skin, I love that it gives that squeaky-clean feeling without drying my skin out. It’s also changed my pore care game completely. I’m barely reaching for clay masks these days, and that’s a big one coming from someone who used them at least three times a week.

#Skinconfessions feat. Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash. Ep. 1

For this blog post, we decided to do something different and talk a little bit about our team members’ skincare struggles and what they do to keep their skin balanced and healthy in the heat and humidity of Korean summer. Our interviewee today is Hanla Lee, our brand manager who makes sure that everything runs smoothly here, at MOTHER MADE HQ.

Q:How would you describe your skin?

Hanla: It’s oily all year round, but even more so now that it’s so hot and humid.

Q: Do you have any particular skincare concerns?

Hanla: Excessive sebum seems to be the bane of my existence. I almost stopped wearing make-up in summer because it slides off my face after a few hours and primers/setting powders break me out. Blackheads and clogged pores are another significant areas of concern for me. Of course, having oily skin has its upsides. For instance, wrinkles and fine lines are not something I need to worry about. But I do feel that my skin can get pretty dull and lifeless if I’m not diligent with the skincare regimen.

Q: How would you describe your lifestyle?

Hanla: I’m in the office behind a computer most of the time, so I’d say sedentary. Regular exercise is something I’d like to start doing more of, but I’m yet to find an activity that doesn’t bore me to death. So for now, whenever the weather allows, I try to commute by bike, eat a healthy diet, and take long walks on the weekends. I feel a massive difference in how my skin looks and feels when I spend at least 2-3 hours walking on the mountain trails surrounded by greenery.

Q: Walk us through your typical summer morning and evening skincare routine

Hanla: It’s really simple. I mean REALLY. I love skincare, but I don’t have the patience for a complicated regimen. One thing I never skip, though, is a morning cleanse. I don’t like to sleep with an AC on, so I wake up already feeling sweaty and oily. Washing the face with some type of a low pH cleanser makes me feel so refreshed and awake. After cleansing, I go on with a toner, then apply lightweight moisturizer and finish off with sunscreen. If I have a meeting or an audit, I’ll put a thin layer of cc or bb cream, And that’s it, really. In the evening, as soon as I come back from work, I shower, do a double cleanse, apply toner and lightweight moisturizer. We’re currently working on developing several masks, so these days use sheet masks more than I’d typically do. On the weekend, I might do a clay mask, and I also use a sleeping mask a couple of times a week.

Q: How does the Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash fit in your skincare routine?

Hanla: I use it every day, morning and evening, as my mild, low pH cleanser. My oily skin LOVES charcoal, and it made a massive difference in the way my skin looks and feels. I don’t normally say “holy grail” (I hate that expression), but for the lack of a better word, let’s say this is what Charcoal Powder Wash is for me.

In the mornings, I like to use a foaming net to make a very soft, weightless foam. Since it’s a morning and I only need to remove the excess oil and leftover skincare from the night, I find that using the Powder Wash this way gives me just the right amount of cleansing.

At night, I use it in a shower as a second cleanser/in-shower mask pack. What I like to do is to lather it up into a dense, cream-like foam, apply it all over the face as I’d do with a regular wash-off mask. I then leave it on for about 10-15 minutes while finishing my shower. Not only it saves me a little time and effort each evening (which I’m all for), but my pores look extra clean afterward.

Q: What do you like about Active Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash the most?

Hanla: I like that it’s mild. Most charcoal products I’ve tried before dried me out, so I almost gave up until we decided to make one. Plus, as I said before, I’m not the one who enjoys complicated double-digit step routines. As someone with oily skin, I need to take care of my pores daily, and I appreciate that our Charcoal Powder Wash keeps my pores clean without extra efforts (or added steps) on my end.

Active Bamboo Charcoal Enzyme Powder Wash Explained

WHAT IT IS

Charcoal Powder Wash is a mild low-pH facial wash that boasts impressive pore cleansing powers thanks to activated bamboo charcoal and papaya enzymes. It’s a water-activated formula, meaning that the powder turns into soft foam once you add water.

WHY POWDER

That’s an excellent question! Why would you choose a powder cleanser over a conventional one? Well, there a couple of reasons why you might want to consider making a switch.

100 % preservative-free. The great things about powder cleansers are that they don’t need preservatives. Since there is no water in the formula, bacteria or mold won’t have the environment to grow. Excellent choice for sensitive skin types!
Highly customizable. Depending on your skin type, you can adjust a powder cleanser to suit your unique skin needs. Add less or more water depending on what kind of cleanser – creamy and dense or light and airy – you want. There are no rules!
Long-lasting. Compared to a conventional cleanser that has to be used (on average) within 12 months after opening, a powder cleanser boasts an impressive 3-year shelf life! It will also last you longer since it’s in a concentrated form and you’ll only need a small amount.
Powerful. For the same reason, it will last you longer, it will also do a cleansing job better – active ingredients remain undiluted thus more potent.
Travel-friendly. Since it’s a non-liquid product, tossing a powder wash in your suitcase is a no-brainer. TSA won’t take it away from you. Ever. And it won’t leak or explode all over your clothes.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Bamboo
Papaya
Aloe Vera

100% natural bamboo charcoal from the ecologically clean Damyang region in South Korea. Bamboo charcoal is the purest and the safest type of charcoal currently available on the market. Plus, bamboo itself is an easily renewable resource making it a great eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood charcoal. You can read more about bamboo charcoal and its skin benefits here.
Papaya Enzymes (Papain). Rich in Vitamin C, A, E, papaya enzymes gently exfoliate dead skin cells and restores the even-toned look of your skin while also delivering brightening benefits.
Aloe Vera Extract. A rockstart ingredient with outstanding hydrating and soothing properties. Do we need to say more?

WHAT IT DOES

#DeepPoreCleanse. Much like a sponge or a magnet, ultra-porous charcoal particles suck out dirt and grime from the pores making them visibly clear and refined post-cleanse. But don’t let the word “deep” scare you. The Powder Wash is formulated with low pH nature-derived amino acid surfactants that are very gentle and respective of your natural protective barrier. The wash can be used daily without running a risk of sensitizing your skin.

The Powder Wash will give you that satisfying cleansing experience when your skin is thoroughly cleansed sans any tight or drying sensation.

Skin brightening effect. Thanks to exfoliating powers of papaya enzymes, this powder wash will mildly buff away dead skin cells and make your skin instantly look brighter and overall healthier.

All in all, the Powder Wash will give you that satisfying cleansing experience when your skin is thoroughly cleansed sans any tight or drying sensation. The best feeling ever. Period.

HOW TO USE

This product is seriously versatile and fun, too. You can use it multiple ways, depending on what type of cleansing you’re going for.

Start with tapping a quarter-sized amount of product into the palm of your hands, add water and mix to create the desired texture. Then the fun part begins.

Experiment with texture. Want deeper, more thorough cleanse? Add less water to get a dense, creamy lather. After massaging it into your skin, leave it on for several minutes for an added exfoliating effect.

Have dry and/or sensitive skin? Use more water to create light, airy foam, massage gently for several seconds and wash immediately. Pro tip: You can also use a foaming net like this one here to make VERY soft bubbles. It is a popular method among those who have easily sensitized skin and want to minimize any rubbing.

If DIY is your gem, you can go as far as fashioning a wash-off mask. Mix the powder with water in a bowl. The consistency should be slightly runny, but not too runny that it starts dripping all over your sink. The mask can be used on your whole face or on blackhead-prone areas (such as a T-zone) only – it’s up to you! Apply a thin layer with a mask brush, wait a couple of minutes for it to set and go over with another layer. Allow the mask to dry completely and wash it off with water. Or, if you are feeling extra fancy, remove the mask with a steamed towel.

And there you have it! Now you know everything you need to make the most out of our Active Charcoal Powder Wash.

Still got questions? Ask away in the comment section below!