Scrub Your Way Out Of Dead Skin

October 13, 2013

StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub is one of the few physical exfoliants in the market that uses finer beads without losing its grittiness. One of the formula of this product is patented NIA-114 which they are oh so proud of. I think they should because NIA-114 was discovered in skin cancer research and what it actually does is to help rebuild skin layers. Now you see what I mean? Conventional scrub sloughs away dead skin but that’s about it.  On top of that, all the goodies are encapsulated in jojoba beads mixed together with polyethylene (read: plastic) beads.

To be honest, I was swayed to try this product after it won twice in 2011 and 2013 Allure Best Beauty Awards. I am such a mainstream. Well first try, it stung a little. Maybe because it contains peppermint and citrus (but no parabens whatsoever). Oddly enough, there’s almost no scent detected.  The consistency of this product is very thick, I need to give the tube a good squeeze. The beads are very fine but do not dissolved, even right before I rinse my face. However it takes more effort to make sure that nothing is still sticking around than I normally do with other scrubs. My theory is that both type of beads incorporated perfectly (as the jojoba beads turn into lather and the plastic beads keep the scrub strong);  and together they make such an enjoyable scrubbing experience.  After cleanse result? baby butt smooth, no dry or tight feeling, and most importantly with consistent usage ( twice a week preferably at night) I can tell that my face is looking clearer (clean pores) and definitely brighter.

Price wise, it is a little bit on the higher end side, but a little bit goes a long way. Besides, StriVectin is known for its wrinkle and early aging prevention; and this product is no exception. If you think about it, a great scrub is actually going to save you a lot of money in the future.

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The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion uses fine micro particles and crushed garnet stones; these are actually smaller than other type of physical exfoliants but not necessarily finer. As a matter of fact, it feels like rough grains.  As marketed, it contains Vitamin C, although it is actually just a minor ingredient in this product. Vitamin C is always associated with being an antioxidant that lighten and brighten complexion; which is what this product is essentially for. At first I thought this whole Vitamin C range were just a marketing gimmick like they always do to put up front the strongest (but minor percentage) ingredient and put it on the label to attract more customers. But this happens to be the best selling product in the Vitamin C range, so I thought why the heck not?!

I notice the fresh smell right off the bat. The texture is creamy but not runny; this means I don’t have to use too much in a single use. The color is gray, which reminds me of Origins VitaZing tinted moisturizer that also aimed for dull skin to brighten up complexion. The first week of using this product, my face was red during the exfoliation. I thought it was very rough. It wasn’t tingly, just rough. Fortunately, the experience didn’t cause broken capillaries so I thought maybe my skin just wasn’t used to microdermabrasion and I decided to keep using it. My risky move paid off. This product plays important role in the success of diminishing my blackspots and achieving brighter complexion.

I have a sensitive skin and as long as I am careful and not over scrubbing my face with this product, it gives such a radiant result. Most of the Body Shop products are mid price and they are pretty much easier access to purchase. So maybe you want to opt for Vitamin C Microdermabrasion for a scrub that actually works and fuss-free.

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