New Exfoliators I Am Trying
Hello Hello! Well here we go with more on skincare:
As mentioned in a previous post: I am sampling a whole range of new products in order to upgrade my skincare arsenal because I am one of those people that after a year or two of using the same product everyday becomes a bit bored with the tried and true and wants to try something new. (Yes I rhymed!)
Also it helps me to see what else is out there!
Let’s start out with why we need an exfoliator and what they do:
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool. Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 30 days or so. Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores. Exfoliating can help prevent this. - Healthline.com
There are many ways of exfoliating your skin: granularly, chemically, with a tool and with a light ‘acid’ that can be found in fruits such as an hydroxy acid that you can buy over the counter. I have used all of the above with different results. I usually only let an esthetician use a tool for extraction or exfoliating with hard-core acids- as they know what they are doing better than I. I do use some of the over counter products with hydroxy acids and granual exfoliants at home - depending on their strength. Some people exfoliate a lot - others like myself probably do it once or twice a week. You choose. But I always think we can tell what our skin needs better than others since we live with it every day. I would caution readers to go off of what the bottle and the professional say as opposed to just exfoliating all the time - which can be extremely harsh on the skin.
My motto, especially as I age is: less is sometimes plenty.
Well here goes with some of my sampling reviews. There is a wide range of products and price points from: $39.00-$125.00 - choose what works best for you! And let me know your thoughts and if you have a great exfoliator in your beauty cabinet that others should try!
And as always before starting a new skincare product please consult a professional.
Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser……$42.00
This is a beautiful, traditional exfoliator, wrapped up in a cleanser, that also has some alpha hydroxy acids to smooth out the skin’s appearance. This is a great product that I keep coming back to again and again. With a natural retinol alternative: chicory root oligosaccharides and tara tree gum - your skin is left feeling smooth and lifted! Eminence Organics is a Hungarian skincare line that has been in existence since the 1950’s and can be found at a number of spas and estheticians offices around the US.
Ingredients: Contains monoi and olive seed along with an alpha hydroxy alternative of: lemon, passion fruit and pineapple to help remove dead skin cells. Natural AHA Cocktail (Lemon, Passion Fruit, Grape & Pineapple Extracts): removes dead skin cells naturally. BioComplex: a booster of antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin - From Eminence Organics website.
Usage: Put a small amount of product in your hands and mix with water, and then massage into your skin. When done rinse and pat dry.
Verdict: I really like this exfoliating cleanser - really nice for mature skin. I don’t feel that my skin is tight or dry after usage - will definitely repurchase.
Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial…….$125.00
Gwyneth Paltrow’s company Goop has joined with Juice Beauty to co-create Goop’s skincare line. There are a number of different products In the line - but I was intrigued by the exfoliator especially since GP is a regular user. I liked this exfoliator - but felt that the price point was a bit out of my range. But it was definitely fun to sample and pretend to be GP for the day!!! The Exfoliating Instant Facial instantly brightens and softens skin to reveal a glowing, smoother-looking complexion. Natural alpha and beta hydroxy acids sweep away dead skin cells; plant-based cellulose beads exfoliate further, while releasing soothing vitamin B5, leaving skin supple, soft, and utterly revitalized. - from Goop website
Ingredients: With lemon, apple and lactic acid to start off your exfoliating experience followed with sunflower seed and lavender oil - this exfoliant is chalk full of good stuff for your skin.
Usage: Use 2-3 times per week after cleansing. Leave on skin for up to three minutes, then massage using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Verdict: This is a exfoliator that I really wanted to love…but wasn’t bowled over by. Not sure why - I think for starters the price point was quite high - especially in these new economic times. I also felt that this was a more aggressive way of exfoliating then what I probably am use to for my skin. Going forward I think I will focus on using a more gentler exfoliant - and save the hard core stuff for the Dermatologist’s office!!
Dr. Akalitis Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask…..$39.00
As stated in a previous post Dr. Akalitis is a research chemist who one day read the ingredients on his wife’s skin care products and after seeing the harsh chemicals that she was putting on her skin - the namesake skincare brand was born.
This product is actually a mask that exfoliates, brightens and lifts the skin while also cleansing and stimulating cell renewal. This is a really nice ‘work horse’ of a product with no bells and whistles - just a good quality exfoliator that does it’s job. A highly effective biological peel that combines the antioxidant properties of organic super foods with the skin brightening, exfoliating properties of a blend of carefully selected enzymes that sweep away dead skin cells.- From Dr. Alkaitis website.
Ingredients With oat buds, blueberry, strawberry, Maqui berry, cat’s claw and turmeric to name a few - this exfoliant come ready to work! Not an overly drying mask like some out there…but leaves theskin refreshed and bright!
Usage: Mix a small amount of water with dry mask flakes and apply to skin avoiding eye area. Don’t allow mask to dry - keep spritzing water on your face so that ingredients stay active. Leave on skin for 7 minutes and then using a wet wash cloth gently wipe off. Use about 2 - 3 times a month at most.
Verdict: I really like this mask and will be purchasing a full size product when my other exfoliants are done. I think the price point and how it makes my skin feel - are both win-wins!!
Jane Scrivner Bioluronic Buzz Hyaloronic Hydrator……$45
This stuff is botox in a bottle - seriously. I don’t know how it does it, but after using it the next morning you look as if you have been airbrushed all night on your pillow. This is a find. I got it at Beauty Heroes and I haven’t looked back. Get some if you need the appearance of a ‘Vaseline on the lenses’ look.! Jane Scrivner is a London-based facialist who has become widely known for her effective approach to skin care. This was purchased on a whim - yes sometimes I do that - after trying the product in the store and liking the results.
Ingredients: Bio fermented hyaluronic acid, willow bark and frankencense to name of few of the ingredients in this bottle. I choose Bio Fermented Hyaluronic as it is 100% natural. I choose Organic Aloe Vera as a gel base to boost the water content and to calm, cool and nourish skin. Spilanthes Acmella is jointly known as 'Buzz Button' or the 'Toothache Plant' as applied topically it reduces muscle tension and is a natural muscle relaxant - the Spilanthol is thought to have a 'paralysing' effect on facial muscles, penetrating the skin and inhibiting contractions in the subcutaneous muscles - a safe alternative to Botox. - From Jane Scrivner website.
Usage: Pump out 1 -2 to squeezes on to your fingers and then spread this gel like product evenly all over the face. Recommended to let the product dry down a bit and then use a serum or oil on the face to complete the regimen. And that is it. Best to use AFTER you have exfoliated with a traditional exfoliating product to get the full benefit of this hydrator to your skin.
Verdict: Really love this product which I try to use one to two times a week after using a traditional exfoliator in order to get my face smooth and ready for the airbrush effect that this little bottle imparts. Will definitely repurchase as there have been no issues with my skin. And I will definitely check out the other Scivner products in the line after having such success with this one.