My Beauty Bunny’s Guide to Scrubs

I am obsessed with scrubs. I know I say that all the time, but it’s true. Jen #2 suffers from the same scrub addiction. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying and immediately gratifying as a good face or body scrub. Creams, lotions and potions take a long time to work, but you can see immediate results when you exfoliate. So, here’s my guide for those who need a good scrubbing – all cruelty-free of course. Don’t think scrubs can be that different from each other? Well then read on my friend!

It’s My First Time

If you have super sensitive skin, or just want a very gentle scrub for everyday use, here are my picks.

FACE: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a gentle, but quite effective scrub that you can use every day or every other day if you’re more sensitive. It’s a microfine powder that you mix with water to create a foam that leaves your skin feeling super clean and soft.

BODY (DRY SKIN): Scandle Sea Salt Soak & Scrub is a very gentle sea salt scrub that is perfect for very dry skin or those with normal skin who have dry feet, elbows, knees, etc. It smells great and comes in a ton of great fragrances.

A Little More Please

Want a little more exfoliation? Read on!

FACE: Rephase Bio-Scrub Microdermabrasion Scrub uses Mother of Pearl (not for vegans) and papain (an enzyme from papayas) to remove dead skin and other yucky stuff that clogs up your face. Jojoba oil moisturizes and keeps newly exfoliated skin soft. Apply this to your face, leave on for five minutes and then rinse.

BODY (NORMAL TO DRY): LATHER Almond Creme Body Buff uses walnut shells to smooth your skin and sweet almond, jojoba, avocado, apricot and sunflower oils to keep skin hydrated. Perfect for normal to dry skin.

BODY (NORMAL TO OILY): Naturopathica Lemon Verbena Body Polish uses jojoba beads to scrub skin without irritation. The Lemon Verbena essential oil gives this scrub a heavenly scent. Shea butter, aloe vera and oat protein moisturize skin without leaving an oily residue.

I Like it Rough!

This is my favorite section. I have sensitive skin and I don’t have any problems with these scrubs, but if you know you’re super-sensitive, you may want to be careful.

FACE: DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry is the holy grail of facial scrubs. It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to an actual chemical peel or microdermabrasion. The actual scrub comes from a synthetic polymer that gives you a nice scrub without sharp, jagged edges that can tear skin. The major exfoliating action comes from glycolic, azelaic, lactic and beta hydroxy acids. This is serious stuff, but it did not irritate my skin one bit. Just be mindful to use sunscreen when you use this product.

FACE (NON-SCRUB EXFOLIATOR): Marie Louise Restoration Clear Gel is another, “Wow – I have to tell everyone I know about this!” kind of product. This is a non-scrub exfoliator – there is no physical element – all of the exfoliation is chemical. At first I was skeptical, but after I tried it for myself – wow! After using this, your face will feel like that proverbial baby’s bum.

BODY/FEET (NORMAL TO OILY): LATHER Bamboo Lemongrass Body Scrub is one of my all-time favorites. The exfoliating action comes from bamboo particles. Sea algae, almond proteins and herbs lift away impurities, while essential oils of lemongrass, geranium, petit grain, vetivert and ylang ylang give it a sexy, spicy scent. It foams up and leaves no oily residue.

BODY/FEET (NORMAL TO OILY): I have to give it up for another AMAZING scrub from Dermalogica. Their Exfoliating Body Scrub must have been sent to me from heaven. It’s got a nice, cooling minty sensation going on, and pulverized powders of date, fig and and olive do a great job of sloughing off dead skin, impurities and other stuff I don’t want on me. This scrub lathers up and leaves your skin feeling smooth and clean with no oily residue.

BODY (DRY TO NORMAL): Naturopathica Espresso Mud Body Scrub is also amazing. It smells like coffee (great pick me up in the morning) and uses Arabica coffee, sarsaparilla, Indian tobacco, volcanic pumice and black silt clay to exfoliate and remove dirt and oil away from the skin. Shea butter leaves skin soft and moisturized, but not overly oily.

Jen