[Test and Review] Dr. Hauschka Purifying & Refining Kit
Ever since my round-the-world trip, my skin has been really moody. The stress and insomnia of the last two months haven’t helped. After this bout of stress, I revised my routine and realized I was neglecting my skin so much that I wasn’t even moisturizing after cleansing => hello imperfections!
It’s time to set up a different facial routine as a Digital Nomad, different from the one I had during my round-the-world trip. The difference is that now I have a suitcase, I move less often, and I can afford slightly larger pots.
My skin
I’ve never actually had nice skin. Acne from age 14, only on the T-zone. When my T-zone finally stops acting up, a year in Vietnam gave me breakouts on my cheeks – an area that had never suffered from acne before. Apparently, it’s linked to pollution. And then, once a month, extremely painful periods are systematically accompanied by breakouts.
Just before the round-the-world trip, my skin regulated and was finally beautiful. However, with resuming the pill + pollution during the trip, I had a huge acne breakout in Chile, this time on my cheeks and jawline, and it took me 5 months to get rid of the marks.
I went to see dermatologists, who offered me Roaccutane, which I obviously refused. I did 2 courses of Tolexine, took pills that only gave me more health problems.
So, I’ve had enough, I decided that all this had to stop right now!
I always told myself that in case of despair, I still had two brands to test: Mario Badescu , and Dr. Hauschka. The reasons I hadn’t used them yet are:
- they’re not available everywhere in the world (unlike Clarins, L’Oréal, etc.)
- they’re expensive
- I always thought organic was marketing bullshit (since no vegetable oil/essential oil likes me)
But the reviews are 95% positive for combination skin with imperfections like mine.
The Dr. Hauschka Purifying & Refining Kit
This brand is nowhere to be found in Romania where I currently am, but luckily JB has business trips to Paris right now, and he’s been instructed to bring me back a purifying care set (poor darling, what won’t we do for love!). Before, this set was called “Dr. Hauschka Purifying Facial Care Set”
you can buy it online on the Place des Tendances website (link) or on the Mademoiselle Bio website (you get €5 off your first order by using my email contact @ tourdumonde5continents.com as a sponsor, more info here)
This set costs 20€ €24.4, includes 7 products, and is supposed to last 7 days (actually, I managed to stretch it to 14 days – except for the clarifying lotion)
- Purifying Cleansing Cream
- Clarifying Toner (with a handy little spritz)
- Balancing Facial Oil
- Melissa Day Cream
- Facial Steam Bath
- Purifying Mask
- Revitalizing Mask
And here are the corresponding routines:
MORNING ROUTINE: Cleanse/Tone/Hydrate
- Purifying Cleansing Cream => Clarifying Toner => Balancing Oil => Day Cream
EVENING ROUTINE: Remove makeup/Cleanse/Tone
- Remove makeup with a product not included in the set (use micellar water or a cleansing oil) => Purifying Cleansing Cream => Clarifying Toner
optionally a Night Toning Serum (not included in the set) if the skin feels too tight – or a 28-day water cure (not included in the set)
ONCE A WEEK
- Steam Bath
- Purifying Mask
- followed by the Revitalizing Mask
Why Dr. Hauschka?
Dr. Hauschka is a German brand with a BIO certification that is more demanding than in France. What sets it apart from other brands is its approach: Dr. Hauschka believes there is no such thing as combination skin, dry skin, etc.; these are only temporary states of the skin. You have to use the right products at the right times to help the skin regulate itself and return to normal. While other brands dry out blemish-prone skin, Dr. Hauschka hydrates and nourishes it so it doesn’t have to overproduce sebum – to become normal.
Normal skin is free of blemishes, it’s radiant, it’s perfect skin => the holy grail. I really like this approach because if my skin stops being combination and becomes normal, that means I’ll be able to get rid of imperfections for good.
There are two things that might shock the most skeptical among you:
- Using an oil on combination skin: actually, the skin secretes more sebum when it’s undernourished. You have to nourish it (give it oil) so it doesn’t have to secrete more than necessary.
- In the evening, you apply nothing: Dr. Hauschka recommends a non-greasy night care. After cleansing and toning, the skin should regenerate on its own by breathing freely. If discomfort persists, only a serum is allowed (serum hydrates the skin, while a cream nourishes it, see the difference?)
Why did I read negative reviews about Dr. Hauschka?
Actually, all their products should be used together, following the application instructions. The products were formulated specifically for that. For example, not applying a night cream (to let the skin self-regulate) only works because the clarifying cream from the same brand leaves a thin moisturizing film. This routine wouldn’t have worked with a cleanser from another brand! So inevitably, someone who only uses the day cream, or just the lotion… won’t see any difference. Similarly, someone who scrubs the clarifying cream on like crazy won’t get the same results as someone using the “suction cup” method recommended by the brand.
The clarifying cream is not a makeup remover. Those who think the kit is complete and only use the clarifying cream to remove makeup will obviously end up with dirty skin. In fact, they also have a cleansing milk, but it’s not in the kit. So you have to follow the routine I’ve laid out above.
Dr. Hauschka products contain a bit of alcohol – for preservation. But it’s plant-based alcohol and very low concentration. Personally, my skin is very sensitive to alcohol and I tolerate the brand’s products very well.
My review of the kit
Purifying Cleansing Cream : the application is a bit tricky, you have to watch the video on the brand’s site to recreate the “suction cup” effect. You should hear a little water sound; if not, you haven’t used enough water. It has a real effect, within a few days, on my blackheads, thanks to (I quote):
(…) purifying and treating properties (…) based on almond powder (…) and medicinal plants
Many will hate it because of the hydrating film it leaves behind, but that’s exactly what leaves the skin soft and hydrated in the long run. I repeat that it’s not a night cleanser, but a step to use after makeup removal
Clarifying Lotion : I don’t like the smell, but you always need a toner in life to rebalance the skin’s pH
(…) based on kidney vetch, calendula, and nasturtium [that help] regulate excessive sebum production, soothe, and act on inflammation-prone areas
Balancing Facial Oil : not only does it seem to regulate the skin, but it also dries out pimples, I feel. You don’t need much (1/2 drop per day), the small 5ml trial size lasts me a month! Plus it smells great!
However, for really stubborn pimples, it doesn’t do much; for those, I prefer Mario Badescu products
(…) based on carrot, sweet almond oil, calendula, and neem
Melissa Day Cream : I don’t like the smell, I’m not sure it really does anything for me, but remember, Dr. Hauschka is one of those brands where you need to use products from the same line to get real results on your skin. I think it’ll suit me much better in a hot country, because the cream controls shine quite well.
Note: a few days later, I went to see a Dr. Hauschka esthetician (at the Maison Dr. Hauschka), and she told me the Melissa Cream wasn’t right for me; I needed a fluid instead. You’ll find the routine she recommended here.
(…) based on medicinal plants like Melissa, daisy, kidney vetch, witch hazel, and carrot, soothes and balances nervous skin. Tapioca starch ensures a matte, even complexion
Steam Bath: too complicated to use, I only do steam baths at the spa.
Purifying Mask : resembles ghassoul, you have to use a soft cotton cloth to remove it, too complicated, I don’t like it! But it does have a real effect on pores (combined with the steam bath)
Revitalizing Mask : I didn’t plan to test it, but I mistook it for the day cream, so I used it and loved it! Right after application, my skin absorbs it immediately, but it’s not a cream either, so you still need to rinse and remove excess with a warm towel. It immediately calms redness and makes the skin more supple. I approve!
Conclusion
I’m won over and will now use Dr. Hauschka products for the most part. I thought it was way overpriced, but given how long my little tubes last, you can get away with €20/month by buying full-size.
However, I find this brand doesn’t act quickly on pimples. It prevents them from appearing and helps the skin in the long run, but for pimples that are already there, I find Mario Badescu much more effective (although you can’t expect an organic brand to have wow effects in 14 days).
What I blame the box set for is the lack of info on (1) the need to use a makeup remover not included in the box to first remove makeup (2) the amount of product to apply.
It also doesn’t specify, and that’s why I’m repeating it (1) that you absolutely must use all the products together because they are formulated to work in synergy (2) and if the application of the products isn’t followed to the letter, the results won’t be optimal.
Note: To see my complete Dr. Hauschka routine and the results after 2 months of use, check out my other article here.
Where to buy Dr. Hauschka products?
The best is to get in touch with an esthetician trained by the brand. They’ll be able to show you the right techniques and recommend the products that suit you best (see the list of partner institutes)
You can also sign up for product demonstration events listed on the brand’s official website, or stop by the Maison Dr. Hauschka in Paris.
You can also test them through a discovery box set like I did (there are several types of box sets for several skin types). The box sets can be purchased:
