I don't use a single drugstore product in my skincare routine. It's not because I'm a product snob - it's that they either don't work well for me or because I refuse to use products that contain harsh ingredients (that can contribute to aging of the skin). Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of high-end products that are also full of harsh ingredients, too - and I don't use those either.
So how am I going to deal with the flaking without causing clogged pores, breakouts, or even more dry skin? I don't usually like facial scrubs. No way would I use baking soda on my face - brown sugar is a better option, but it doesn't work well for me. Most store scrubs contain ingredients that are way too harsh on the skin - either chemically, the actual scrub particles, or both. For years, for exfoliation, I have used BHA products. But my skin objects to that now.
(A note about BHA products - IMO, there are NO good drugstore BHA products. BHA is a tricky thing - pH is extremely important for it to work properly. Most drugstore products don't have the proper pH - and/or they also contain other ingredients that are bad for the skin. That's one reason why I started making BHA products myself. The only other BHA products I would recommend would be Paula's Choice.)
Anyway, back to me and my skincare concerns. :-)
There are a couple of products that I've tried lately that I like. So far. Both are facial scrubs and I received them as samples with purchases I made. The down side is that both are fairly expensive.
One is Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner - 3.5 oz. $40
The website description: "Creamy, clay-based scrub exfoliates with bamboo extract and energizes with tourmaline to leave skin radiant and refined. Dermatologist-tested. Non-acnegenic."
Directions: With
fingertips, massage onto moist face, neck and décolleté. Remove with
warm moistened towels. Blot dry. Brush away particles. Should be used
twice weekly.
The other is Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish - 3.4 oz. $30, 6.8 oz. $42
From the website: "This effective scrub cleanses and exfoliates, removing dead skin cells
to leave skin smooth and even-toned. Suitable for all skin types, Face
Polish helps remove dead skin cells with purifying microbeads, while
emollients soften the skin."
This is a fairly thick, but easy-to-apply product. You can tell that it's clay-based from the consistency. The particles in it are very fine, so I feel like they aren't making tiny tears in my skin (which is what products like St. Ives scrubs with the pieces of walnut & apricot shells can do). A little goes a long way, and after rinsing, my skin feels smooth and soft. This product reminds me of a microdermabrasion cream that I used to use - and liked a lot. They also make a cleanser with the little scrubbing particles, but I don't like it as well.
The other is Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish - 3.4 oz. $30, 6.8 oz. $42
Directions: Place a small amount onto your fingertips and gently massage into dampened skin. Rinse with warm water.
I believe the scrubbing particles in this product are jojoba beads. The consistency of this scrub is creamier than the Aveda, and the product is more moisturizing. It also has a nice, light fragrance. I think you could probably use this product daily if you wanted, although that may not be necessary. You can easily get by with using just a pea-sized amount of this product - so the large tube is a great deal at 6.8 oz. for $42 - I think it would last 9-12 months if you were careful not to contaminate the contents.
Comparing the two products: Well, I can't really compare them. To me, they're different types of scrubs. The Aveda one is more of a "treatment" that is used once or twice a week. The Laura Mercier one is more of a routine-use product that you would use daily or every other day. I think they both serve a purpose - and it really depends upon your skincare needs as to which one would be best. But since I don't intend to shell out $80+ for facial scrubs, I'll have to make a choice. I think I'll use the rest of the Laura Mercier sample and then reevaluate my skin. If it still seems like I need more frequent exfoliation, I'll repurchase the Laura Mercier - if I think I can cut back to exfoliating a couple of times per week, I'll repurchase the Aveda. At least I think that's what I'll do. I might have to get back to you on this. :-)
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