Exfoliators | Beauty and Fashion Tech

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask and Exfoliator

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask is an interesting product. It is used on damp skin and heats up when it comes in contact with the water. So it feel warms as you rub it on. I have seen some complaints on various forums about the heating effect, but I rather liked it. The mask is quite hydrating, so I recommend it mostly for those with dry skin. One note of caution: It is very black! You probably want to use cheap cloths to wipe this one off. Or do what I did. Use it in the bath and rinse it off in there.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator has also made a return (read previous review), but this time in a tube instead of a tub–a welcome change for me! I absolutely love this scrub, and the tube makes it all the more easy to use. If you want a really good exfoliator, look no further than this one! It too is dark black—so use it in the shower! This item (the tub version) was on my Top 20 of 2008 list.

Note: This review was based on products sent to me by the compnay. For more information, please see my disclosure page.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment

Boy do I love this exfoliator! This one will definitely make my best of the year list, and I have use very little else since I bought it.

Update: This product now comes in a tube instead of a tub, which is a huge improvement in my opinion because my tub was having some issues pumping the product after it started getting past half used.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate is a combination of a light scrub and an enzyme exfoliator that gives a rather powerful, but still fairly gentle feeling exfoliation. The scrub is packaged in a tub with a push top that puts out just the right amount for a light application. It is applied to damp skin and during application feels like a light scrub. Once on, it is left on the skin for at least 20- 30 seconds (although I usually go longer), during which its enzymes go to work. You can feel the tingle of it working, but it isn’t anything too heavy. Then the product is washed off.

I love the results that I get from ExfoliKate. It works like a good scrub, but does not feel irritating and my skin always looks fresh after using it. Anyone who likes a light scrub and also like enzyme masks would probably be a fan of this one. I use ExfoliKate about three times per week to help with skin turnover as part of my acne and melasma treatment.

Because there is some tingling and such connected with ExfoliKate, those with sensitive skin might want to be cautious. Kate Summerville does make a sensitive skin version: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Gentle Exfoliating Treatment.

I have read good things about the entire Kate Somerville line. It is a bit expensive, but based on my good experiences with ExfoliKate, I will likely try a few more items. One option for trying a number of items is through the Kate Somerville A Stocking Full Of Kate! The Discovery Kit ($105 Value) A Stocking Full Of Kate! The Discovery Kit
ExfoliKate tends to sell at around $85 for the standard ExfoliKate, and $65 for ExfoliKate Gentle. That is pricey, but the tub is decent sized and not much needs to be used for each application. This is a product that I will repurchase when my current tub is gone, and I am a bit of a cheapskate!

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Aloette Restorative Enzyme Peel

Aloette uses aloe vera as a base for their products. One that I particularly liked was their Aloette Restroative Enzyme Peel. This gel mask contains a combination of natural fruit extracts—including grapefruit, cucumber, papaya and pineapple—along with 54% purified aloe vera gel.

I found that the mask did a nice job of providing a light exfoliation, while also moisturizing. Unlike clay based products, the aloe vera gel keeps the mask feeling fresh on the skin and there is no tightness or drying sensation. As a result, I particularly recommend this one for people with dry skin. Because it is rather gentle, if might also be appropriate for sensitive skin.

On thing to keep in mind with this one though is that the exfoliation/peel effect is very light. Those who like a particularly strong mask, might find this one to be a bit too weak.

Popularity: 2% [?]

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

MAC Cosmetics has come out with one heck of a good exfoliator. MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is truly wonderful stuff, and I predict that it will make my best of 2008 list at the end of the year. I find the MAC product description to be quite accurate, so here it is:

A highly effective, dual-purpose, foaming and exfoliating scrub blending natural Volcanic Ash with fine sugar crystals from the islands of Vanuatu. Adds moisture: leaves skin feeling soft and comfortably clean. Mineral-rich. Good for absorbing skin’s natural oils. May be used on any part of face or body. Rinses off with warm water.

The scrub is pretty coarse, which I like, but the foaming action tones it down a bit, It also leaves the skin feeling moisturized–something I find pretty impressive for a scrub. The one odd point though is that it is black in color. So it seems a bit weird scrubbing this jet black goo all over your face. I suggest avoiding use of it while wearing white or with white washcloths. I don’t know if it would stain and I wasn’t keen to test that! Personally, I use it in the shower.

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Popularity: 1% [?]

Review: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar

I am rather particular about scrubs. I want to feel them working and I want to see results. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar nicely fit the bill on both accounts.

The Dr. Brandt microdermabrasion scrub is very fine grained and is a fairly powerful scrub. I definitely could feel it working, and my skin was nicely smooth after each use. It is strong enough that I do not recommend it for those with sensitive skin. However, it is gentle enough that those who hate real coarse scrubs might like this one because of the fine grain. It also is rather adjustable. Rub hard for a more intense scrub and rub lightly for less. In many ways it reminds me of the Biolements Pumice Peel, which was one of my favorite products of last year.

I do have one nit picky complaint though about the packaging. Every time I use the Dr Brandt scrub, the screw on cap is difficult to get back on straight, making it difficult to close the lid. But that does not keep me from recommending the product.

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Popularity: 1% [?]

Befine food skin care at CVS

I picked up a couple of the Befine food skin care products at CVS the other day. The Befine products are made with vegetarian proteins and are allergen, fragrance and paraben free.

The first item I tried was the Pore Refining Treatment Scrub. This light scrub contains coconut, jojba and citrus. It is very lightly exfoliating. I tend to prefer a harder scrub–basically if it doesn’t feel like my skin is being sanded off, I don’t trust that it is working (yes, I know that I am nuts). So this light scrub it isn’t one that I would use daily, but it felt great on the skin and would be perfect for the person who wants a gentle scrub. I figure that is likely most of you!

I also tried the Warming Clay Mask, with cardamom, arnica, and pomegranate. This stuff was pretty cool! Well actually, it was literally pretty warm! When it says warming, it means it. When mixed with a bit of water, the product warms up, which feels oddly refreshing. My skin was left looking radiant and I will most definitely use this product again!

Sorry that I lack photos! These are so new that none of my sources for public domain or authorized photos have pictures up.

Befine products are available at CVS pharmacy stores.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Yes to Carrots Exfoliating Mask and Day Cream

Yes to Carrots is a new skin care, body, and hair line available at Walgreen’s stores.

I tried the C the Difference Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask and the C Today or C You in the Morning Moisturizing Day Cream. Both are quite nice products.

The mask is a light clay mask that is appropriate for dry and sensitive skin. It provides light exfoliation without any irritation, and it generally is nice to use. It smells quite nice, with a very light scent and left my skin very soft. I will keep using this fairly often.

The day cream is also fine, but I found it to be a bit too much moisture for my skin right now. I recommend it for those with dry skin, but others might want something lighter. Come winter, I will likely be using this!