Santa Maria Novella Face Brightening Powder: Traditional Italian Skincare from Florence

Iris is a beautiful plant. Not only it blossoms with a lush languid flower full of noble meanings, but it is also a source of precious and gorgeous essences that are part of some of the most luxurious and classy perfumes in the world. But not everybody knows that this flower, symbol of Tuscany in Italy, is also a source of cosmetic properties. In fact, in ancient Greece and Rome, Orris Root was largely used in perfumery, and Macedonia, Elis and Corinth were famous for their unguents of Iris, made from orris powder which is prepared by crushing and grinding the stems. Iris powder is very commonly used in face powders and other cosmetics because of the fragrance and its composition. The smell of iris has become sinonym of make-up, as well as violet. But it's not only about fragrance. It is said that iris powder helps the skin to retain back the moisture and the elasticity and provides a fresh and glowy skin. It helps to get rid if harmful toxins and ruptured cells. Besides the healings effects of the essential minerals and oils it also has great antiseptic properties. Various types of burns and scars can be treated through an application of iris powder.

In Florence, a monastery is house of a traditional brand that is more famous for their fragrances, but they provide a large assortment of skin and hair care: Santa Maria Novella. When visiting Florence, it is mandatory to go to Santa Maria Novella, enter the church and shop in the traditional store where we can find all kinds of ancient products originally made by religious people with centuries of knowledge about plants.

One of the products you can buy at the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella is the Polvere Per Bianchire Le Carni (Skin Brightening Powder), “an historical product made from Iris powder that performs a delicate exfoliation, leaving the skin clear and luminous and attenuating small wrinkles.”

This product has two ways of working. You wan use it as an exfoliator or as a mask. You just have to add water and mix the powder until it forms a paste. Massage the skin in circles and rinse. I have tried it this way and haven't found any improvements, but my skin is very thick and it needs a very powerful exfoliant in order to get any results. But anyone with sensitive skin may find this gentle product very useful.

The way that this powder really works for me is when used as a mask. “When diluted in water (20g powder in 80g water, mix well) it makes a facial beauty mask. To purify the skin, leave on for 5-8 minutes, then rinse with water”, says the box. It is not very easy to mix it and it looks like pouridge, with a pleasant but strange smell. Just don't be afraid and apply the paste on your face. It will dry and get a little hard but it's not uncomfortable at all.

After rinsing it with warm water, I instantly find the skin to appear luminous, bright and clean.

I know that iris powder was used to remove freckles so this can be used to attenuate dark spots, which is my biggest problem, but as a purifying mask it is also very good. I have used this a handful of times and will continue to do so, telling you afterwards if my skin changed after a continuous use. But for now I am delighted to use such a vintage looking product with such an oldfashioned way of using and great instant results.

Products mentioned in article

Santa Maria Novella Polvere Per Bianchire le Carni

Miguel Matos

Miguel is a Portuguese journalist obsessed with art and perfume. Miguel likes to see himself as a fragrance curator, investigating the possibilitie...(more)