First things first — Happy (very) Belated Birthday to Emma Hardie Skincare! Over the summer, the cult favorite British brand celebrated a decade of its iconic Moringa Cleansing Balm. If you have yet to experience this makeup melting potion, the hall of fame formula is very much worth the hype. Not only does it remove every trace of pigment, sunscreen, and grime, it also provides a spa grade aromatherapy experience with opulent notes of Neroli, Rose, and Jasmine. It’s decadence in a jar (or pot as the Brits call the container). So what’s happening after ten years? Quite a bit. More about the special Limited Edition and recent launches below.
The Limited Edition
For fans of the brand, the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Moringa Cleansing Balm is a sinkside must-have. The mega-size will last months, too. If you enjoy physical exfoliants, the included jar of ground rosehip seeds is a much appreciated treat. Once a week or so, sprinkle a dash of the ground powder into a small dollop of the cleansing balm in the palm of your hand and massage it into the skin. You will be pleasantly surprised at how gentle yet satisfying the grit feels. It also rinses clean and doesn’t cling to your brows or hairline (which can be extremely annoying). P.S. A cloth for dry or wet balm removal is included. $89 (200ml)
Moringa Light Cleansing Gel
The latest addition fits somewhere between a cleansing oil and a cleansing balm. The Moringa Light Cleansing Gel has a unique whipped (not runny) gel texture that forms soft peaks when dispensed. It becomes liquid a bit faster than the balm when massaged into the skin (which makes perfect sense since body temp breaks it down more quickly). It is definitely more lightweight than the balm but delivers the same impressive performance.
Why pick the gel over balm?
Honestly, it comes down to personal preference with regard to texture and packaging. If you’re not a balm person who doesn’t enjoy scooping product from a jar—or if your prefer a pump bottle—then the new Light version will be a perfect pick. I find that it removes tinted sunscreen and undereye brightener just as well as the balm. Since you don’t need to remove it with a cloth, the cleansing process goes a bit more quickly. In other great news, this new addition shares the same fantastic aroma. $45 (100ml)
Exfoliating Brightening Tonic
I’ve been dreaming about an acid toner by Emma Hardie as a follow up to the Moringa Cleansing Balm ritual for some time. Dreams do come true. The Exfoliating Brightening Tonic is a daily treatment to help us achieve a firmer, glowing complexion while refining the look of enlarged pores. The sleek bottle is armed with a spray nozzle but don’t mist the face with it (because eyes). Spray it on a cotton pad and swipe across the face pressing any excess into the skin.
What’s in it?
Pomegranate Enzyme is the main exfoliating agent in this water-based solution. Why am I into it? It’s self-neutralizing and requires no rinsing. Emma Hardie also includes Phytic Acid, a very gentle form of an Alpha Hydroxy with impressive antioxidant properties. There is also Bakuchiol, aka nature’s answer to those with Retinol sensitivities and Nettle Leaf Extract, which delivers skin firming benefits. Personally, I neither experience tingling nor redness after applying the Exfoliating Brightening Tonic — shout out to the hydrating Glycerin and soothing Aloe Leaf Juice. The bright aroma is very on-brand. While it does include fragrance (in addition to flower waters and essential oils) my skin has never reacted negatively to it.
Will I use it?
Yes. But. Since my skin is accustomed to stronger formulas (I rotate Biologique Recherche P50 1970, REN Daily AHA Toner, and tarte’s knockout), I find the Exfoliating Brightening Tonic to be significantly milder. It may not become my daily acid toner year round but I will be reaching for it more regularly when the weather gets cold and it’s best to lighten up in the acid department. If your skin is sensitive to Glycolic Acid or stronger AHAs, this Emma Hardie formula is worth exploring. $37 (100ml)
available at emmahardie.com and cultbeauty.co.uk
Side note: Emma Hardie implemented a genius recycling program on their website. Details below.
