Saving Face Part 3: Scrub Till You Can’t Scrub No More

So here we are, Part 3 of Saving Face. This week we’re looking at exfoliation, those wonderful products that leave one’s face fresh and glowing.

Everybody should exfoliate, no matter what skin type you have. Regularly sloughing away dead skin cells, dirt and other such debris your skin collects on a daily basis, helps maintain clean and healthy skin and deter break outs. It’s also a sure fire way of banishing dullness and welcoming radiance. And everybody loves radiant skin.

Exfoliants and Skin Types

As with cleansers and moisturisers, there are specific types of exfoliants that will be better suited to the different types of skin:

Dry/sensitive: go for something cream based and gentle

Oily/combination: a cleanser/scrub combination for daily use

Problem: an exfoliant mask is the best idea for problem skin – the granules and scrubbing motion of an ordinary exfoliant can spread bacteria

How Often?

Depending on the product your using, on average you should try and exfoliate twice a week. If you are using a scrub/cleanser combination that is suitable for daily use, then that’s fine. If you’re using an exfoliant masque, then once a week should be ample. Don’t get over-enthusiastic and scrub too often, your skin works on a cycle of regeneration, so there is no need to disrupt that.

Nivea Visage 2in1 Wash Scrub

This brand new two-in-one product hit shelves at the beginning of the month, one of two brand new products in the Nivea Visage range. Designed for daily use, the 2in1 Wash Scrub contains Micro-Scrubs for a deep cleanse and works with a HydroBalance system to ensure your skin isn’t left stripped, tight and shiny. It’s a highly affordable option that leaves skin fresh and clean. Perfect for combination skin.

RRP: $10

Phyt’s Certified Soft Face Scrub

This is perfect for dry or sensitive skin. Incredibly gentle and working as a masque, it removes dead skin cells at the same time as assisting the oxygenisation process. Best of all, it’s completely natural with 100% of the ingredients coming from organic agriculture.

RRP: $51

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant

This is a non abrasive liquid you apply as you would a toner, that removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. It also works to clarify and refine skin. It’s gentle, and suitable for regular use. If you don’t like the way scrubs leave your skin feeling, then this is a great option. It also leaves skin primed for make up.  

RRP: $54.95

Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

I’m a big fan of this product. Not only does it smell fantastic (I realise this isn’t a deal breaker, per se) but it feels incredibly nourishing both whilst you’re using it, and afterwards. Containing carrot seed oil, carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato and dead-sea mud, it’s little wonder. It works as a mini facial and leaves skin feeling clean, soothed and hydrated.

RRP: $15.95

Harmony Harvest Facial Scrub

For the real nature lovers out there, you simply must get your hands on Australian brand Harmony Harvest. All products are 100% Australian Certified Organic, and creator Ami Nakamura works on the principle that ‘everything you need to keep looking younger and more beautiful can be found in nature.’

This facial scrub contains bran, calendula and peppermint herb, salt, grape seed oil, wheat germ oil and lavender essential oil. Mix it with the matching oil, containing safflower oil, wheat germ oil and lavender myrtle oil, and you have, quite literally, food for the face.

 RRP: $20

U Little Beauty Smooth Operator Facial Exfoliator

Here’s a fact for the day – Kakadu Plum is the world’s richest source of vitamin C. Australia is the country that just keeps on giving to the beauty world. U Little Beauty’s Smooth Operator Facial Exfoliant is a stimulating ride on the exfoliant train, chock full of Kakadu plum extract. It also contains papaya extract, macadamia oil and lavender oil. Not only will dead skin cells be gone, but your skin’s circulation stimulated which can lead to only one thing … a glowing complexion. U little beauty.

RRP: $29.95

Cover image by Snapr on Flickr