Ayuna Less is Beauty review

A minimalist Spanish skincare brand, Ayuna is one of the few offspring of the collision of clean beauty and luxury worlds. From the Biologique Recherche-reminiscent packaging to their signature scent, everything about Ayuna products spells luxury; the price tags are another attestation, but their heftiness dissipates with the first sensorial and tactile meeting.

Nourishing Artisan Soap

I know we were taught to lay off soap when it comes to facial cleansing, but Ayuna’s Nourishing Artisan Soap is not your typical. The first of the brand’s soaps, the beautiful swirls of activated charcoal merging with the creamy part marries Soap Rich and Soap Detox making it ideal for all types of skin. It lathers easily, smells divine, and cleanses skin without over-stripping it so the result is a clean, smooth and soft canvas.

I love that Ayuna soaps can be used in several ways:

• To use it conventionally, just lather to get foam and wash.
• To use it as a makeup remover, lather to get a creamy consistency, apply and rinse off.
• To use it as a micellar type of cleanser, add a lot of water and use it on a cotton pad to remove makeup from delicate skin like the eye area and lips.
• To use it as a face mask, lather a thick layer and leave it on the face for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off.

The Facial Low and High

A colloidal acid system with prebiotics, The Facial can be used on a daily basis to exfoliate and balance skin’s microbiota. It comes in two strengths, low and high, with 20 and 30% active ingredients, and fit for thin and thick skin, respectively. With consistent use, The Facial leaves skin looking clearer, smoother, and feeling tighter. If you are not acquainted with acid toners like Biologique’s p50, you might find The Facial to slightly burn skin in the beginning, especially if cuts are present – this can be offset by applying it on a wet cotton pad instead of dry, which tones down its strength, until the skin becomes used to it.

Balm – Volcanic Revitalizing Mask

Whenever my skin feels dull, textured and congested, I reach for Balm. A thick charcoal-based mask, it literally transforms my skin in minutes. After I wash it off, my skin looks brighter and clearer, and it feels tighter, smoother and softer.

Cream I and Cream II

I don’t think I’ve been as excited about a face cream since my pre-clean beauty days. I currently own both in their petit size, which I find to be cost-effective as I am always testing a lot of products. They also last a while, only the tiniest amount is needed at a time. Knowing that Cream I is geared more towards combination to oily skin, and Cream II more towards dryer types, I was surprised that my oily skin actually preferred Cream II. It could be because my case of excess sebum is due to dehydrated skin as opposed to extra oil production, who knows…all I am certain of is that I always need to have it in my arsenal. I use it at night and wake up with supple, clearer skin or in the morning, before makeup, since it gets absorbs fast and does not leave a residue.

Velo

My love affair with do-it-all morning base products continues and Velo has been my morning skin companion for over two summers. I have reviewed it here in depth, but in summary, it is a multitasking CC cream, a miracle in a bottle that I absolutely cannot be without, so I just bought two more…

I can sing ballads about my love for Ayuna, but I’ll save some of my adoration for a part two, stay tuned!