In skincare, as in life, there are ideal pairings that are capable of bringing out the best in each other for years to come, withstanding maskne, the latest Tik Tok craze, and whatever else the cosmos has in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond.
But what makes a duo soooo good? Invariably, it’s those in which each party can stand alone, but is even stronger when working together as a team. Case in point: Youth To The People’s new Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask and the dark spot-reducing Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner.
The combination works because its radiance-boosting effects are two-fold: The mask clears impurities from the depths of congested pores, minimizes the appearance of pores, and evens skin tone, while the toner—meant for use three to five times per week—sweeps away dead skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots, and delivering a healthy dose of prebiotics in the process.
“It’s an out with the old, in with the new, skin-loving type of relationship,” explains Laura Cline, Youth To The People’s Director of Education. “You’re getting rid of the things that may be causing a blemish with the mask, and creating a balanced microbiome to avoid more breakouts in the future with the toner.”
After use, you’ll notice your skin is smoother all over, with a significant decrease in excess oil, and clearer pores, says Cline. Incorporate the Power Mask and the Power Toner into your weekly routine—on separate days—for a month, or forever, and the results are even greater.
“Pores will be less visible from the constant clearing and cleaning, and your skin will actually be stronger and more balanced, which hopefully means less breakouts, period,” she continues.
Niacinamide evens skin tone, and visibly tightens pores while strengthening skin’s moisture barrier, while the superclay blend draw out impurities and antioxidant-rich blue algae gives the mask a novel sky-meets-steel hue. Kombucha black tea is another star player, and is present in both products to support toning and balance good bacteria.
Faces that are—and aren’t—uniformly congested can benefit from the addition of both products in tandem, but you’ll want to tweak how often they’re in rotation if you’ve got particularly dry skin, says Cline.
“For anyone with super dry skin, I’d recommend using the mask as more of a spot treatment, but for everyone else (that includes balanced, oily, and combination skin), I’d recommend using the mask two or three times a week, and the toner three to five times, gradually working up to every night over an extended period.”
Unlike most clay masks, the Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask is moisture-rich, but you’ll still need to follow it with a targeted form of hydration after rinsing it off.
“Personally, I love to apply a moderate layer for ten minutes before wiping it off with a bamboo face cloth soaked in tepid water,” says Cline. “After that, I’ll reach for YTTP's 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum and a lightweight moisturizer, like the Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream. Post-toner, nothing beats the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask and the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil, which are loaded with omega fatty acids, and feel really velvety and smooth.”
Written by Elsa de Berker for Youth To The People
