Wednesday 27 July 2011

5 Favourites: Face Exfoliators.


Buying exfoliators is one of my favourite past times, I have quite a few (a collection which I am trying to downsize) but these are the ones I reach for often.
You should only really exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliators are designed to buff away the dead skin cells, leaving you with lovely, bright, fresh skin but if you're doing it too regularly there's no more dead skin cells to take away so you're just aggravating the skin. Eek! Also, if you are going to use quite an abrasive scrub then I'd suggest using a moisturiser with an SPF afterwards (or the next day, depending on when you use your exfoliator). 

We'll begin with the Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator. This is actually my smaller size version which was kindly sent to me a while back, I do have the full size version which lives in my shower. This is a natural version of an exfoliator, which contains jojoba beads as the exfoliating beads. When you use this, you'll notice that the beads are very round, like little balls as opposed to some of the other exfoliators which are more like sand. If you imagine sand rubbing at your skin its going to be a lot more abrasive than a circular ball, so obviously the Liz Earle is perfect for just a gentle way to remove the dead skin. 
Of course, it lives up to the Liz Earle hype which surrounds the blogging world. The consistency is similar to the cleanse and polish in a way, quite rich and has the same lovely natural smell.
I'd recommend this if you're a fan of the LE products and if you have dry/sensitive skin as it is absolutely lovely and leaves my skin feeling smooth. This is quite a gentle product, so you may not get the really smooth and bright effects that you do with a more abrasive product but it does an excellent job. 

The Sanctuarys Exfoliating Pore Refining is almost the opposite of the LE exfoliator, it is much more abrasive so leaves skin feeling very "new" and cleansed. This is probably best for those with oily skin and clogged pores, as its small exfoliating particles allow the pores to be fully cleansed.
One of my favourite products, it really does give you fresh and bright skin.

Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser isn't actually meant to be in this group, but its a nice "daily" product meaning that it's more of a cleanser with fine exfoliating beads thrown in. It contains clay so is perfect for oily skins, and just gently cleanses the skin of impurities. This can be used every day, due to the fact that it's not actually an exfoliator and won't really aggravate the skin after continued use. 

The Sanctuary Warming Micro-Brasion Polish; I have had this for so long! Another one of my favourites due to the self-heating properties. I sometimes demonstrate this on customers at work because its such a lovely feeling. The heat relaxes the pores which means a deeper clean. It contains clay again, which I think is why it's quite thick. I always find it quite a task to spread this out over my face as well as trying to buff it in, but that's what generates the lovely warm sensation.
You're meant to leave this on for a few minutes to let the warmth get into the pores but I can very rarely be bothered. I'll definitely be repurchasing this as I don't own anything similar. 

Finally, The Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream. Another very abrasive scrub, this is more like microdermabrasion if you ask me! A very fine, gritty texture which reveals very soft and clean feeling skin. I have noticed that some prefer quite harsh scrubs and this is definitely one that will really buff the dead skin away. 

Any other scrubs that you recommend? 

21 comments:

  1. Have you tried the Alpha-H Daily exfoliant? I'm only just getting into scrubs, but I like this one because it's gentle. The Liz Earle sounds great, will have to check it out nad myabe add it to my exfoliator family =D

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  2. Great post, I really want to try the liz earle one, I may have to give it a go sometime.

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  3. Great post, I love finding about new skincare products! I'd love to try the Liz Earle exfoliator, since it's gentle I think it would be perfect for my skin :)

    http://thedollhousediary.blogspot.com/

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  4. I love the St Ives apricot scrub which i've included in my july favourites :) x

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  5. literally just started using exfoliators, cos' my skin isn't the best! and I think the one I'm using is from simple? but it's really good. my sister just uses loads of cream with a tiny bit of foot exfoliator and it seems to work quite well!

    Beth x
    ramz and the flock

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  6. thanks for the recommendations; i normally use the St. Ives exfoliating facial scrub because it's the only product which keeps my spots away but i'm keen to find something a little gentler, more suited to everyday use. i might try the liz earle one -x-

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  7. I will definitely be trying out Sanctuary's and Kiehl's exfoilators. I usually use Aapri exfoliating scrub gel but I can't seem to find it in Boots anymore :(

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  8. I like the no7 microdermabrasion scrub :) xx

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  9. lovely post :) Have you tried the body shop vitamin e cream exfoliator? It's my favourite xxxx

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  10. I've been looking for a new face exfoliator for AGES, might have to try some of these you've recommended!

    x Lauren

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  11. I shall definitely be trying a few of these out, I've just about run out of mine. I find that St. Ives Apricot scrub is a good one xx
    Sirens and Bells

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  12. Great post - I'll have to try the Khiels one, I love all of their products. I recently tried one from Nutrogena which smells of pink grapefruit (I did buy it more for the smell than anything else!) xx

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  13. Keihls is amaaaaze. Love Keihls x

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  14. I've been wanting to try the Liz Earle one..at the moment I use the Blackhead exfoliating scrub from Neutrogena but I think you may have persuaded me to oder it :)

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  15. I use sanctuary' microbrasion & clinique 7day scrub every week. Two of my faces too. interested in trying the others too. :)
    Nice post!

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  16. I personally prefer harsher scrubs because I don't have sensitive skin and the Clinique is perfect for this! I am glad you made this post because I was considering getting the Liz Earle but am having second thoughts as it doesn't sound as gritty as I like my exfoliators!

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  17. Ive only tried saint ives scrub and thats about it, i dont really use face exfoliators but i should start using it.ill probably try the clinique one

    The Fashion Cycle

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  18. I like using sugar with lemon juice. Its a bit harsh but it leaves me skin so smooth! :) And sugar is pretty cheap haha

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  19. Thanks so much for this post - I've been looking for a new exfoliator! My skin is constantly in need of exfoliating and at the moment I use a Mac one, but it's very gentle and doesn't exfoliate enough for me - though it is a good product!

    Anna | www.anna-sofia.org/blog

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  20. great post i am always on the look out for the one i like the clinique one used before now using elemis gentle rose and the papaya one
    out of of the above which was your favourite?

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