i got my second facial ever a few weeks ago. steve had given me a gift certificate for my birthday (or christmas? i can’t remember) and i finally used it. when i met the girl who was going to do my facial, she asked me a little bit about my skin, and my overwhelming response, especially this time of year, was… DRY. it’s definitely better since i’m more diligent about drinking water and having a good skin care routine, but even so, it always tends that way. her question right away, “do you exfoliate?” umm… i have exfoliant, does that count?
sometimes i’ll read something that drives home the point again, and i put it into the routine for like a month. but generally speaking, no, i don’t regularly exfoliate. maybe once a month, and that might be generous. she reiterated how important it is–to keep the dead stuff off the surface of your skin and allow your products to penetrate the skin, to keep your skin healthy, and to keep blackheads or other blemishes at bay. at least once a week! i have an exfoliant i love (it’s not beautycounter!), but i wanted to crowd source from you guys too (this was on ig stories, about two weeks ago). you always give me the best product tips, travel tips, tips of all kinds.
here’s some that were mentioned more than once. doesn’t include all of the recommendations though, just the ones that came up over and over!
01. my favorite exfoliant ($108) is this one by osea. it’s so gritty, which is my favorite. it’s expensive but it lasts a long time (especially if you’re bad at doing it often enough, like me!). they also have a booster size for $20 to try that would probably last for a bit too.
02. philosophy microdelivery wash as well as the peel that goes with it ($72 for both).
03. boscia exfoliating peel gel ($34). in the words of one reader, “it is truly insane.”
04. drunk elephant babyfacial ($80).
05. kate somerville exfolikate ($24).
06. sunday riley lactic acid treatment ($105).
07. beautycounter peel ($63). while it’s not an actual exfoliator in that you scrub your face with it (some others mentioned here aren’t either), it does promote cell turnover and thus fresh skin. this is one thing i AM good at using and it does make a difference with more than just my dry skin. and, because i’m a consultant, i wanted to mention that they have a promo for a free brightening oil (one of my favorite oils along with the no 2!) if you spend $125.
08. herbivore pink clay exfoliating mask ($22). i love their products! (their spray is a favorite in the summer time.)
09. regular old sugar, salt, lemon, and olive oil. cheap and effective! (and healthy!) i’d also add coconut oil to the mix personally!
any to add? or what you love about the one you do use? i’m all ears!
Thank you for sharing! I’ve been looking for a new exfoliant, the one you linked from Osea sounds nice! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
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Clinique 7 day scrub! I use this every other day and I have sensitive skin. Works great.
I actually like the Acure exfoliator quite a bit! Drug store price and safe ingredients.
you NEED to try Cure Aqua gel https://www.amazon.com/Cure-Natural-Aqua-Gel-250/dp/B001ABLKK2. THIS IS AMAZING. Its super gentle. You apply it to a dry face, wait 30 seconds to 1 min. You can start to SEE dead skin balling up on your face. Wipe off with a facecloth. I use it every morning.
woah. you have my attention!
Whoa, mine too!
I am so happy to see this list.. I need something new! I’ve been using the FOREO facial cleansing brush but it has been making me breakout, which I also used to experience with the Clarisonic cleanser brush. I think it might be too abrasive on my skin.. either way, the Osea looks incredible, as does the exfoliating peel!—and the homemade concoction is looking very interesting.
Eminence Organics strawberry rhubarb dermafoliant for everyday use! Their almond mineral treatment a couple times a week! I has Hungarian paprika in it!! The warm tingling sensation is amazing! Check them out…they were voted best skin care line ten years in a row
I found that switching to a chemical exfoliant from a physical exfoliate has made a huge difference to my (dry) skin. I’ve tried a few but Paula’s choice skin perfecting 2% bha liquid is seriously one of my desert island products. You can get it from Nordstrom and it’s just soooo good (not paid, just enthusiastic!).
Baking soda! I use plain old baking soda. Sometimes multiple times a week, sometimes a few times a month. My skin gets tight and clean and wonderful. Plus it’s so easy..i mix a small amount in with a pump of my face wash in the shower. If you put it in a small sealed container it can stay in the shower so you never forget to use.
I don’t like physical exfoliants – I think they can be sometimes damaging and too harsh. I find chemical ones (like AHAs and BHAs) much nicer for my skin! The Ordinary has some really good stuff at really good prices. I use their Lactic Acid 5% and it makes a huge difference – even had people comment on it! The trick is to start slow so they don’t irritate your skin, and moisturise!
Another recommend for a chemical exfoliant here!
I have a Clarisonic that I use once a day and my skin has never been glowier!! I use a variety of skincare products – the countermatch line, glossier milky jelly, exfolikate foaming wash, and BC overnight peel. I switch my routine up regularly, but always use the Clarisonic and I don’t even need to exfoliate anymore, it’s amazing. I’ve had it for almost 2 years & has totally eliminated dry patches, peeling/flaky patches, etc.
how do you clean the brush? i had something like it once but i felt like after a time the brush wasn’t clean enough for me to want to scrub my face with it?
I really like Derma E’s Microdermabrasion Scrub. It smells lemony and works well. I use it 2 to 3 times a week.