Amala, in Sanskrit means “most pure.”
The quest for the perfect face wash is a journey I’ve been on for a long time. I’ve had sensitive skin my entire life, am prone to breakouts and ironically dry skin at the same time. For many years (before I paid much attention to ingredients) I used soap with triclosan in it as this seemed to keep breakouts at bay, but it also dried out my skin, stripping it of its natural barrier with harsh chemicals and causing it to become more sensitive and breakout again. And so the vicious cycle goes for many people.
Fast forward to the present – I’m in my late twenties, and still have sensitive skin and the occasional breakout, though nothing like ten years ago. I’ve started paying attention to ingredients – I’m working on replacing all the products in my home that contain triclosan (registered by the EPA as a pesticide!), among many other concerning ingredients. During the past eight months, as I tried out tons of products in order to compose the natural beauty guide in Sweet Violet Bride, my drive to learn what is unsafe, what is acceptable, and what does wonders really took off.
When Amala sent me their hydrating cream cleanser and hydrating toner to try I immediately loved their packaging, but I have to say I was skeptical. The hydrating cream cleanser upon first touch feels just like a lotion. How is my skin going to get clean by washing it with lotion, I wondered. I was worried it might make my face feel greasy, but it isn’t the case at all. I’ve been using the duo for about five months now (not every day but most days) and will need to replace them soon. I admit the price is a bit steep ($70 for 8 fl. oz. of cleanser, and $48 for 4 fl. oz. of toner), but the results for someone prone to dry skin are well worth it – especially in the winter months.
Key Ingredients in Hydrating Cream Cleanser
(100% natural origin. 93% of plant ingredients produced by organic agriculture.)
- Jasmine: helps nourish, moisturize and soften dry skin, while providing antioxidant protection.
- Papaya: deeply hydrates skin, helping to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier with essential fatty acids.
- White Clay: helps remove makeup, impurities and dead skin cells.
Key Ingredients in Hydrating Toner
(100% natural origin. 77% of plant ingredients produced by organic agriculture.)
- Jasmine: helps nourish, moisturize and soften dry skin, while providing antioxidant protection.
- Aloe: deeply moisturizes and soothes to help calm irritated skin.
- Sandalwood: promotes the look of smooth, even toned skin.
The experience of using the products from Amala’s hydrating collection is relaxing and I find the delicate floral scent to be absolutely beautiful. Of course, knowing that it is made of pure, botanical ingredients is a wonderful feeling in itself. Their certified organic Jasmine is cultivated and custom distilled in Egypt by their fair trade farm partner Hussein Fakhry.
My skin feels so incredibly soothed after using the cleanser. By following it with a spritz of the toner (I spray twice onto my hand and then pat on) it locks in the moisture and pores look refined and ready for whatever makeup I may apply that day. The toner works so well that I can use it in lieu of the typical lotion I used to slather on after the drying out of harsher cleansers, with the exception of unforgiving winter days when a little extra moisturizer never hurts.
After using these for several months I’ve developed the routine of using them most mornings and nights, but about twice a week I will opt for a gentle scrub (more on scrubs in future posts) at the end of the day instead of the cream cleanser in order to exfoliate – the toner however is still a must afterward. It leaves you feeling brilliantly light and smooth and I feel it allows my skin to breathe easier than when using a lotion. That isn’t to say I’ve given up the hunt for the perfect face cream, but I’ve become a huge fan of Amala. Be on the lookout for more of my reviews of their beautiful botanical products soon! —Naomi
photos courtesy of Amala