Face Scrubs..... Sooo many choices!

There are so many face scrubs out there. What do you do? Ask friends? Usually. Read reviews? Absolutely! Stand there and read packaging? Probably.

Without actually using something you have no idea how it will work on your skin. Even after you read reviews and ask friends, it still might not perform the way you hoped or expected. So, as always, take my reviews with a grain of salt. My combination skin isn't the same as yours.

The most important thing I can tell you is there are many kinds of scrubs. What do I mean? Well..... There's the kind that's gentle enough you can use it twice a day. There's a once a day, even some that say give your face 2-4 days between use. Why? Active ingredients. While one product might have hyaluronic acid in it, this can still be used daily because that's something your body naturally produces. While another can have one of many compounds that can be harmful if used excessively.

Here are some examples of what I use, the frequency recommended and how often I actually use them. Of course this will come with my thoughts on the product.

I'll start with what I use every single day.
L'Oreal Bright Reveal Cleanser (Wal-Mart $6.97)
I was at Wal-Mart to get my daily cleanser. They were out so I started looking for a suitable replacement. I'll admit, the shiny packaging is what called me first. Then I read the packaging and into my cart it went.
(Side note: I've never had bad skin. It's combination. But, overall, I'm blessed. After all of the tanning and years without sunscreen, my skin is still good.)

I was blown away by how my skin felt after the first use. I was even more blown away after seeing a change in tone and texture over time. My skin looked and felt younger. Internally I had several WTF moments. How could a product less than $10 have such an effect on my skin?

Gentle exfoliation
Glycolic acid

A combination of these has turned my skin around. No more dull. Less fine lines. AND.... This scrub can be used twice a day.

Organic Doctor Rose Otto Face Scrub (CVS $11.24 in current ad)
This item is very new to my skincare regimen. It was a sponsored item in my FabFitFun winter box. Initially I put it away. Last month I was detoxing my house, including unused beauty items, and I "found" this still in its box. I opened and used it that night. The scrub is moreto intense, very like old scrubs. It has grit. But don't worry. It's still gentle.
(Side note: if you don't like the scent of roses, this is not for you. It smells like a rose and the scent lasts for about 45 minutes after rinsing off.)

Like I said, it's gritty. But the after effect is soft, baby smooth skin. It exfoliates very well but doesn't strip your skin. So you're left with smooth, soft, hydrated skin.

As expected by the name, the ingredients are mostly natural. There aren't any instructions on for how often you should use. I space 3 days between uses, typically in the evening.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intense Exfoliating Treatment (Kate Somerville website $85)
This is probably one of the most high end products I've ever owned. I was first exposed to it by the BeatyCon subscription box. I loved it so much, then I saw the price. It nearly scared the hell out of me. Then FabFitFun delivered. A 1.7 oz tube was in the winter box. I even bought a second box, just so I could have a second tube. (Both of them will probably last me a long time.)

A little goes a long way with this product. You apply a thin layer like you would a mask, then massage it in. Wait 2 minutes after massaging and rinse. If you have sensitive skin, get the Gentle version or rinse about a minute after massage. This scrub heats up, it almost feels like it's burning. After you rinse your face it will be flushed for a little while so it's better if you use this in the evening or wait awhile before applying your makeup.

The package says to use once or twice a week. I usually stick to once. That's usually all I need.

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash ($28 pretty much everywhere)
I use this significantly less than the first 3 but still keep it in my shower. This is for the days I skipped washing my face in the morning/evening. It has a little more oomph but is still gentle.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion ($54)
This used to be my #1 favorite until I met Kate. It's more affordable than Kate so I keep it on hand, not to mention I've received it in several subscription boxes. This is a great scrub, don't me wrong. I still reach for it and this scrub has helped over the years, shrinking my pores. (They used to be huge)

That's my scrub line-up. Is there something I'm missing? Some die-hard product I should try? Put it in the comments.

I'll see you all soon!