May Lindstrom Skin- The Clean Dirt

May Lindstrom The Clean Dirt Brightening Exfoliant Treatment

One of the very best aspects of being at the helm of the AsianFusion brand is that I get to discover other fantastic brands across various industries, especially ones most people never hear about. Why don’t you get to hear about certain brands in the mainstream like May Lindstrom? There are a number of factors contributing to this mystical mastery. If you are a true skincare aficionado, you likely have glimpsed May Lindstrom in international publications both print and online, on Lust Lists and Must Have Lists by the likes of Vogue and Bazaar.

If you weren’t closely paying attention to those pages though, you’d likely never hear about this highly exclusive skincare brand as it is not sold in regular department stores nor is it advertised anywhere. We are fortunate to live in an era when individual entrepreneurs can create small but mighty brands based on a handful of truly outstanding products and rely on hyper-strong word of mouth to grow. For us, the consumers, this is a huge win because we have an abundance of choices no longer dependent on the big brands who care far more about serving shareholders than skin.

My first introduction to the May Lindstrom skincare brand was through The Clean Dirt, a warming exfoliating mask whose results are akin to getting a microdermabrasion and lightening treatment in one. Before you scoff in disbelief at how one product can achieve such results, let’s take a look at a few facts. The Clean Dirt is derived from spices that have been used in Asian skincare for hundreds (more likely thousands) of years. Turmeric for instance, an ingredient that is now ubiquitous as the “it” ingredient for both skincare and health, has been an “it” ingredient in Asia since at least Buddha’s time in roughly 500 B.C.

In skincare, turmeric has been used as an anti-inflammatory to combat acne and is widely used as a natural skin lightener for sun spots, acne spots and for pregnant women, to combat stretch marks. Ginger and clove have both been used in Asia as circulation stimulant and exfoliators.

To May Lindstrom’s great credit, she bypassed all the nasty, cheaper ingredients that the big brands use to keep prices down and manufacturing at a high, opting for truly natural ingredients that are found in many household kitchens. In fact, to date, Lindstrom hand blends each product in micro batches in her skincare studio so when she and her brand claim that the products are free of:

parabens
propylene glycol
butylene glycol
petroleum
sulphates
PEGs
TEA
DEA
phthalates
GMO
silicones
pesticides
artificial dyes
fragrances
carcinogens
wheat and gluten,

it’s 100% believable.

The Clean Dirt, like all May Lindstrom products, evoke a sense of sentimentality of days gone by when we all had a little more time to spend on self care and when indulging in such care was the norm rather than the exception.

Housed in a lovely navy blue glass jar (that you’ll probably love so much you’ll want to display it), The Clean Dirt is a blend of spices, clays and salts with water-activated Vitamin C that comes out as a dry powder format. Meant to be mixed in a small bowl, one teaspoon of powder with a teaspoon or so of water, until a paste is formed, you will see bubbles forming during the mixing process which takes all of a few seconds. Once the paste has formed, place all over your face and gently but firmly massage. I have taken this routine a step further after experimenting the first few times and I love to slather this on my face right before taking a shower and leave it on while in the shower (about 10 minutes), taking care not to get water splashed on my face.

The warming spices affect tingling sensations that are pleasant; you can almost feel the bubbles scraping away all the dead skin and whatever dirt resided on the surface of your skin. Scented like a cup of freshly brewed authentic Indian chai, The Clean Dirt is one of the most deliciously scented skincare products I’ve ever come across.

After a minute or two of massaging, rinse off thoroughly. The results are exactly as if I’d gone to the dermatologist or facialist for a 20 minute session of microdermabrasion plus a deep Vitamin C-infused mask. My skin was outstandingly soft, blackheads disappeared, and a general brightness lingered well into the next day (I always use exfoliants and masks at night only). The same results continued every single time I used The Clean Dirt, so much so I now use it right before any special event.

Easily replacing both regular exfoliators or scrubs as well as whitening masks, The Clean Dirt does wonders for oily/combination skin with twice weekly use, is great for dry skin with once a week use and can be a game changer for acne-prone skin as long as you’re not hyper-sensitive.

The Clean Dirt is available for US $70 for a 200 ml glass bottle which lasts about 5 months with once a week use. If you haven’t discovered the luxurious self care ritual that May Lindstrom specializes in, give yourself the gift of great skin.