Exfoliant

Question: Exfoliant? What's the best exfoliant you've used? What made it great?

Answer: Well, there is St Ives Apricot Scrub, which works great, and there are products with Titanium Dioxide Crystals, which are finer particles, for smoother skin.

Question: Is it okay to use exfoliant and moisturizing cream when pregnant? I am 5-month pregnant and I have lots of pimples. I had this before so I used exfoliant and then they stopped coming, but now, my forehead has a lot of pimples again so I want to use it but I don't know if it has an effect to my baby. So, is it safe to use?

Answer: Using a facial scrub will not affect your baby :) I really love LUSH Ocean Salt Scrub- it is all natural and smells like a fresh margarita! It has layers of sea salt, fresh lime juice, and vodka for a chemical and manual exfoliation that naturally disinfects to reduce breakouts. Mix thoroughly before you use it the first time. I would not use any "medicated" products or Benzoyl Peroxide products without first consulting your doctor.

Question: How come there is no exfoliant in the Shiseido range? Have been using them for the past 2 years - White Lucent, Revitalift & Benefiance and although all of these ranges have great foaming cleansers, none have an exfoliant - why? I still exfoliate using Clinique "7 day scrub" about twice a week to assist with the removal of skin cells as I feel this is an important step, particularly when using serums, anti-ageing products, etc - assists them to penetrate better. A mistake - I meant "Revital" not "Revitalift" - although this range does give a 'firming' action on the skin.

Answer: I am not sure why considering that almost everyone will tell you that exfoliation is a key part of any skin care regimine. I use the Clinque 3-step and I love the Clarifying Lotion (toner type 2nd step, but really is an exfoliator). For daily exfoliation without scrub, I think it would be alright if you use the Clarifying Lotion with any cleanser. I use it after my philosophy cleanser in the morning, and I haven't had a problem thus far. Good question.. everyone should have an exfoliator. But Clinique makes it part of the 3-step.

Question: What is the best exfoliant for the face but reasonably priced?? I need to find something to use that can clear up pores that are blocked. They suggested (at the mall counter) an exfoliant wash for once a week, but it cost $75.!!! Is that normal?? Or can you buy the cheap stuff at the store and get the same result! Thanks.

Answer: Believe it or not, the St. Ive's apricot scrub from the local Walmart, Kmart or Target got the highest ratings from dermatologists. It is very inexpensive.

Question: What is a good gentle cleanser/exfoliant to use while on retin-a treatment for my face? I use retin-a micro on my face, and i notice that i get some irritation from my cleanser. can anyone recommend a good gentle cleanser that doesn't have salicylic acid to use with the retin-a? what about an exfoliant to help rid me of the flakes?

Answer: wash your face with baking soda...its an excellent exofoliant, and shouldn't irritate your skin.

Question: What is a good exfoliant for a guy to buy? What is a good exfoliant for a guy and where can i buy it?

Answer: studio5ive.com has products specially formulated for men. I've read some very good reviews about their exfoliants etc. If you don't like their products, sephora.com has products for men also. I've found exfoliants with AHA/BHA to be very effective.

Question: Does Exfoliant Make The Dark Circle Where My Pimple Used To Be Never Disappear? I had one of these before, but I used Mederma and it went away. But this one isn't and it is getting on my nerves. Like exfoliant washs away the skin at the top, so that means more of the dark circle is visible afterwards?

Answer: The exfoliant is not going to make the dark circle disappear. If anything, it is just going to make the skin more tender and prone to getting darker in the sun. If Mederma is not working for this dark circle, try using vitamin E oil directly onto the dark circle. It should fade it. Also try using a skin lightener cream directly on the dark spot.

Question: What is a good exfoliant containing benzoyl peroxide? I have a ton of comedones on my face. Mainly on the sides of my chin. I've had them for YEARS and I'm just so fed up with them. I've tried Proactive. Did not do a thing. I've tried a lot of things, actually. All I want to know is what is a good exfoliant containing benzoyl peroxide? Id like to find something that has a lot of "scrub" to it...like St. Ives Apricot Scrub...but with the benzoyl peroxide. Any suggestions?

Answer: Try St. Ive's Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead Control. It has Salicylic acid which also gets rid of acne just like benzoyl peroxide. Use it only a couple times a week though because it can make your skin sensitive to the sun. Then use Biore Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15. Its makes your skin feel fresh and not oily. Hope that helps (:

Question: How many times a day should I be using Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Scrub--Exfoliant? I know it's not good to wash your face more than twice a day. But I'm not sure if I should be using the exfoliant in the morning AND in the evening? I read the label but it does not indicate how many times it is to be used.

Answer: Only once, you should only really exfoliate once a week because u dont want to strip ur natural oils...i say use it every other day if you like using it thast much.. i say use in the evening

Question: Would salt work as well as sugar as an exfoliant? I heard that sugar makes a good exfoliant. I want to know if salt would work too.

Answer: I agree with the above posters - salt really isn't healthy for your skin. You're much better off exfoliating with a mixture of sugar and honey, or sugar and an essential oil. Sugar scrubs tend to put in as much moisture as they remove, but a salt scrub will just leave you totally dry.

Question: Do you know an exfoliant without the rough bits in it? I want an exfoliant with AHAs that doesnt require the little grainy bits to exfoliate your skin. Do you know anything like this?

Answer: I really love Aveeno's exfoliators! However, do you mean an exfoliant with no texture whatsoever, or just without particularly rough bits in it? If you just want one with no uncomfortably rough ones that scrape your skin, I really suggest aveeno's clear complexion exfoliant, or their skin-brightening exfoliant. They both work wonders, and your skin looks much healthier after using them. I use them every day!

Question: What is the deepest over the counter exfoliant? I some acne scarring I want to buff out. I know a chemical peel would probably be best, but I really don't want to pay $500 if I don't have to. So, what over the counter product to you think gives the best, deepest, exfoliation? Oh, and I think I prefer acids to beads because I heard that scrubbing exfoliants can actually make acne worse. Thank you! Thanks, but I ended up getting a 20% Salicylic Acid mask that works better than anything I've ever used before. (20% is way better than the usual 2%)

Answer: MaMa lotion gives the deepest exfoliation! Just check it out, I can't even explain why it's so great. I use it myself and my skin is sooo even now! You can get a 3 weeks trial worth for 7 bucks.

Question: How do i use Clean and Clear Exfoliant Scrub? I recently bought clean and clear Exfoliant Scrub Soft product and im wondering how i should use it. it just tells me to rinse my face apply the exfoliant every day and night. the thing that worries me is the i hav to dry my face after i rinse off the exfoliant stuff, or do i leave my face wet after i apply it. the reason im asking is because in other products it tells me to leave it wet or i might get itchy =\

Answer: Best way to do it is to use some warm water on your face to open your pores. You could even put a towel over your head with your face above the sink as you fill it with warm water. The steam should dilate your pores. Wash your face (I think it might say to cleanse with some other product, but it's not necessary), then rub in the scrub, paying special attention to nose, forehead and chin (they're usually the problem areas). Rinse it all off with the warm water. Then splash your face with cold water, to close off your pores and lock the freshness in, and pat your face dry with a towel. If you need it, add light moisturiser. Et voila!

Question: What is the best tea tree essential oils product and exfoliant? Again I don't have horrible acne but pimples keep coming back in small portions what is the best product I can find in stores in Canada (I don't have a credit card so I can't buy online). Please if you know anything help I have only two-three weeks till back to school! Is clinque a good line or body shop tea tree eo?

Answer: The tea tree oil i use is called "Herbal Authority: Tea tree oil skin wash" It is very neat. I use it everyday for the past week and my skin is clearing up! So try it, im sure it will work for you :)

Question: How well does ambi even and clear exfoliant work? I just recieved my ambi even and clear exfoliating wash and I was wondering how well it works, or if it works at all? I basically want to know how well it works on the toning side because I dont have a lot of acne to be worried about.

Answer: Ambi is a great brand for oily skin it makes the skin clear.

Question: What can I use as a natural exfoliant for my face? I know sugar works by scrubbing, but works CHEMICALLY? Like I heard milk exfoliates because of the lactic acid in it. Any suggestions, experiences, ideas? Thanks!

Answer: You can cleanse and exfoliate in one step by mixing 1 tsp. baking soda w/ 1 tsp. plain yogurt. Apply and leave on 2 minutes, then massage into skin and rinse with warm water. This mixture will gently clean pores, remove dead cells, and softens dry sensitive skin without irritation. Hope this helps, it's cheap & easy...and it works great!

Question: Is salicylic acid an exfoliant or is it aspirin? If it's aspirin, shouldn't it be stated on the label that people who are allergic to aspirin shouldn't use it? Or doesn't it get absorbed through your skin?

Answer: Yes, it is a form of aspirin that can readily be absorbed through the skin and cause a toxic response to those who are sensitive to aspirin. What is very interesting is that the medical use information specifically states that this should not be used with benzoyl peroxide, but most preparations contain both! "Salicylic acid is readily absorbed from the skin and may induce toxicity (salicylism)." For an exfoliant, try simple baking soda. I'd stay away from chemical peels which cause permanent skin damage, and increase aging (wrinkles, cancer, etc) from MayoClinic "When using salicylic acid, do not use the following preparations on the same affected area as this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor: Abrasive soaps or cleansers Alcohol-containing preparations Other topical acne preparations, or preparations containing a peeling agent (for example, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, sulfur or tretinoin [vitamin A acid]). Cosmetic or soaps that dry the skin Medicated cosmetics Other topical medicine for the skin. "Check with your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of hearing, tinnitus, lethargy hyperpnea, diarrhea, and psychic disturbances. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called salicylate toxicity, especially in children under 12 years of age and patients with kidney or liver problems."

Question: Is the combination of honey, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a few drops of lemon juice considered an exfoliant? I want to make a mask of these four thinks (I read a lot about it online). I want to leave the mask on for about 30 minutes and wash off with warm water. But I used Clean and Clear exfoliating cleanser earlier this evening. So is this mask considered on exfoliant? (Therefore I shouldn't use it tonight since I already exfoliated)

Answer: yeah..you shouldn't exfoliate every night.. but that is a very good exfoliant..make sure you do it over the weekend so you face can adjust to it, in case it makes your face a little red the next day. lemon is an acid, so you might want to put only a little amount on lemon, or mix it with some water. honey is great for moisturizing too!

Question: What is the most vigorous exfoliant out there? I want an exfoliator for my bikini area to rub out some of those in-grown hairs. Ideas? Thanks!

Answer: Salt. It's cheap and its really tough.

Question: How do you make an exfoliant with sugar? I dont want to run out and buy one because I've heard theres a recipe for one made with sugar. Does anyone have a clue as to what it is????

Answer: I usually mix it with some sort of liquid soap. It works REALLY well, but don't get too enthusiastic with it or you could damage your skin.