One Week of Pampering : Deep Pore Cleanse Tuesday

Hi again! This is the second installment of my mini-series that I dubbed "One Week of Pampering". In case you missed the first one, go ahead and read Exfoliate Monday here. 

Once a week, I like to do a deep pore cleanse. This helps my pores appear smaller and also over time, decrease the chances of breakouts on the face. 

For my deep pore cleanse routine, I use the ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores. You can get this from an ORIGINS counter, there's one now at The Bay along Yonge and Queen (downtown Toronto). Go and give them a visit if you want to know more about ORIGINS products. They might even offer a free mini-facial to you! Besides the counters, you can also get this from Sephora in stores or online.

Back to pampering... On a cleansed face, I apply a thick layer (enough to completely cover my skin, don't try to skimp or it won't be as effective) mainly on the centre of my face where I have enlarged pores. I concentrate the charcoal mask basically along my T- zone and on the inner cheak area. I leave everywhere else bare for this part.

Leaving the mask on to dry for a few minutes, you will see the gunk coming out of your pores as its doing its work. Yah, glamorous I know.

After 15 to 20 minutes, its time to take off the mask. For this part I like to use a sea sponge that I bought from the Origins counter mentioned above. These are sooo useful! Before it would take me forever to wash the charcoal off (and therefore I didn't like to use this mask as often) because man once it dries up, its really stuck there! I have used flannels or face cloths in the past but washing off the residue on the cloth takes a bit of effort and since I like to wipe off the mask residue a couple of times off my face (take it off completely and then go for another pass for insurance), it can become a drag sometimes. But this sponge makes it so simple and easy. The charcoal sticks to it and the sponge easily relinquishes the coal off when you squeeze it under running water. Perfect!

That's the deep pore cleaning done. However, this would not be called a pampering post if there wasn't several more steps, right??

After toner and essence, I like to follow this routine with something soothing like a cucumber mask (or anything that is labelled "soothing"). I currently use the Holika Holika Cucumber Essence Sheet Mask and its very good. Another one to try is the Honey Mask from the same brand.

Finish the pampering routine with serum and moisturizer/oil.

Do you need a deep pore cleanse? Try it!

xoxo