I have often mentioned that I will wash my face with just about anything available (even a bar soap at a hotel). Don’t kill me. I’m being honest. Washing your face is crucial to having healthy skin, and you have to wash your face before bed every night of your life.
Now let’s be clear, I’ve washed my face with crappy bar soap before but that’s certainly not my go-to method! I’m a self proclaimed and unapologetic luxury skincare lover. I’ve had the very good fortune of working in the beauty industry for over twenty years now, which means I’ve gotten my hands on just about every amazing beauty product on the market. I’m a total junkie for beauty products and will never not want to try the newest thing. That’s partially why I started 213Deli. I’ll try it all so you don’t have to, and then I’ll report back on what the best of the best really is.
I recently fell in love with the Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser. In 2016 Nicholas Travis launched Allies of Skin shortly after completing degrees in biomedical and pharmaceutical science. He had an accident as a teen that left his face in bad shape and planted a seed in him. Armed with passion, a great education, a loan from his siblings and 2+ years of research and development, he launched a brand packed with powerful active ingredients that offer noticeable results fast.
In the last couple of years, after the brand expanded out of Asia and into the US, I got my hands on some of these amazing products. Let’s be honest, I heard Kaia Gerber, January Jones and a few other celebrities were raving over the brand, and I had to try it.
I’m a huge fan of the Rhassoul & BHA Antioxidants Purifying Mask, which I use once or twice a week, and the cleanser has become a staple in my AM & PM routine because it’s ultra hydrating, balances my skin’s microbiome and gets all the gunk off. It’s packed full of amazing ingredients and transforms from rich, thick gel into a gentle foam that does the trick. I start by massaging it onto my dry face and then getting my face wet and continuing with a massage. Another thing about maturing (ahem) is that you need to give yourself a little more TLC, and facial massage is a great way to keep everything in place if you know what I mean.
Now don’t forget to take every chance you can to give yourself a little love including the 5 minutes when you’re washing your face. Always massage your face in an upward motion, and don’t be afraid to use a gua sha while washing your face (or during a double cleanse). I love this quick and simple 5 point facial massage technique, and it’s so quick and easy to do while washing your face. I also return to this gua sha tutorial often. In short, always have a moist face before starting a massage. Use gentle pressure, don’t tug your skin. Move your hands in an upward motion from the center of your face outward. Go under your jaw, under your cheekbones, gently under your eyes and above your brows. Give yourself a nice temple massage too.
And please slide into my DMs and let me know what your favorite luxury skincare products are!! @collinsinla
213Deli editors are beauty experts with eons of years of experience under our belts. We’ve tried it all and keep on trying everything new that comes out in an effort to save you the headache of wasting your time and money on things that aren’t worth it. We only write about and recommend products we truly love and are pretty sure you’ll also love. All products are chosen independently by our editorial team. If you buy something we link to, 213Deli may earn a commission.