Greetings, microbiome enthusiasts!

As Persians, our celebrations are deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature. Our New Year, NoRooz—which means “new day”—begins precisely with the first moment of spring. In the weeks leading up to NoRooz, we follow the tradition of khone tekouni, which literally means “shaking the house.” It’s a deep cleaning ritual that predates the modern-day concept of 5S: Sort, Set in Order, Shine (we really deep clean everything), Standardize, and Sustain (well, at least for a few days!).

What’s beautiful about this tradition is that no matter how clean or organized your home may already be, khone tekouni is still done. Why? Because it’s about much more than tidying up. It’s about energetically clearing the space to welcome a fresh start—releasing the weight of the past year and inviting clarity, renewal, and freedom into the new one. Letting go of what no longer serves us—both physically and mentally—is a practice that prepares us to receive with open arms.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Hemphill, the author of Less Clutter, More Life. Her philosophy of decluttering to create peace and purpose resonated so deeply with both my Persian roots and the very foundation of Fafabiotic skincare.

After living in the U.S. for 23 years, I’ll admit I don’t do khone tekouni quite to the same extent as my fellow Iranians back home—but the spirit of it remains. This past weekend, I decided to declutter my vanity and bathroom counter, finally letting go of products I bought before developing my own skincare line. Even though I no longer used them, I was still holding onto them… why?

The truth is, luxury lies in simplicity. A clear space brings a clear mind. And if you truly want to give your skin—and its microbiome—the most luxurious living conditions, start by decluttering your skincare routine. Let go of the 99.9% of products you don’t need. Keep just one or two essentials that truly serve your skin. That’s not just enough—it’s more than enough to keep your skin and its microbiome happy, healthy, and thriving.

Happy NoRooz and happy spring cleaning—from your vanity to your soul. 🌿