'This $17 Face Scrub Gave My Sensitive Skin Its Glow Back'
You know you should be cleansing your face every day, but how often are you exfoliating? If you have acne-prone skin like me, the mere word "exfoliate" may trigger shudders when you hear it. Personally, I have flashbacks of massaging an acne-specific scrub into oblivion. My goal: Buff all of my bumps away. Reality: Raw, red, irritated skin.
So, yes, you could say I was a little scarred by exfoliators. Both literally and figuratively. But, all of my preconceived notions of a scrub and the trauma it caused my skin went out the window when I found Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator. What made this certain exfoliator wipe away my inhibitions? Hard to say. Maybe it was the brand's clean ingredient standards, or the good reputation the line has garnered from my beauty editor colleagues, or simply that I was itching for a good clean. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I did and here's why.
It doesn't use microbeads.
Rather than using microbeads (aka non eco-friendly, small plastic particles), this scrub uses a plant-based, biodegradable version—refined wood pulp to be exact—to physically buff away dead and dull skin cells. Not only are they better for the environment, they're also easier on your skin than other plant-based options (i.e. walnut shells) because they're totally rounded and uniform (read: no scratching or tugging), even in their tiny stature.
It's gentle.
A lot of acne-targeted scrubs (or even cleansers for that matter), love to pack every acid under the sun into their pimple-proof formula. And while sometimes that's necessary, it can also be super harsh—especially if these chemical exfoliators are paired with a physical exfoliator like a scrub. This one however simply uses the aforementioned wood pulp to do all of the work. The only other ingredients are actually hydrating ones like sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and glycerin to help soothe any irritation or stripping.
It literally leaves my skin glowing.
I started off using the scrub at night because I felt like it really cleaned the day away but then, I noticed the glow it left behind (peep my skin above). I started using it more in the morning. And it turns out, derms recommend exfoliating in the morning, anyway. "The best time to exfoliate is in the morning, because the skin renews itself overnight," explains Sapna Palep, MD, a dermatologist and founder of Spring Street Dermatology in NYC.
"Exfoliating gives the face an instant glow by removing dead skin cells. It also allows your other products to penetrate more effectively into the skin," adds Dr. Palep. "In addition, exfoliating also prevents sweat, dirt, and bacteria from getting stuck under the skin. Just be careful, as over-exfoliating can sensitize your skin."
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