SKINCEUTICALS Micro Exfoliating Scrub, 5 Ounce

This is, hands down, the best exfoliating product I have ever used. This is the closest thing to a microdermabrasion procedure that you can buy in a tube. I have combo skin that gets clogged pores and blackheads that end up becoming so congested I break out. If I wear makeup for more than 4 hours, my pores clog. This buildup eventually results in rough looking, dull skin that looks older and makeup starts to look cakey while it clings to all my rough, clogged pores. I use an exfoliant every other day because my skin gets so congested. I hadn't used this particular one for almost 7 years and now that I am 33, not a day will go by without this in my cabinet. The difference is night and day. My skin hasn't been this soft and smooth in years. Years! All the St. Ives in the world couldn't recreate the feel of my skin right now. Before going back to Skinceuticals I was using exfoliants from Apricot Scrub, Alba, Mario Badescu, Soap and Glory, Clinique, Murad, Garnier, L'Oreal, Acure, Avene, Bioderma, (the list goes on and on) and not one product has made my skin as smooth as this exfoliant did in one use. My skin is baby soft, baby smooth and there are no rough bumps and textures on my skin under my makeup. There's no buildup around my nostrils looking like Cakey Town, no dry patches, flakes of any sort. This cleanser exfoliant is a gel consistency with incredibly dense, micro exfoliators, much like they use for microdermabrasion. This exfoliant is no joke and may be too aggressive for some. For others it'll be heaven sent. A little goes a long way with the exfoliant and you only need about a quarter size to a half dollar size. Be careful dispensing from the tube because it'll shoot out more quickly than you think. I would remove makeup first but that is a personal preference. You just start rubbing it into your skin in circular motions, spending 10-15 seconds on each area of your face. Make sure it gets nowhere near your eyes! Rinse off by wiping it off with a washcloth. I've noticed that if you splash rinse it's easier for particles to get in your eyes and not fully get rinsed off around hairlines and can get stuck in eyebrows. Rinse with cold water to close pores and pat dry and boom! your skin will be immediately softer and smoother than you thought possible. This stuff is pricey. One of the reasons I never repurchased in my 20's. I didn't need exfoliant this strong and Apricot Scrub was enough for me so spending $30 on an exfoliator seemed insane back then. Now, it's not in the least and I need something that is going to keep my aging skin cleaner, softer, more exfoliated. So at this point, the price is completely 100% worth the effects considering it helps my skin look younger, cleaner, smoother, brighter and my makeup hasn't looked this even and smooth in years. I highly highly recommend this for anyone who has severely congested skin that is unresponsive to other exfoliants or those that other exfoliants don't quite get the job done. I am prone to breakouts and this exfoliator has never broken me out. I'm not saying you won't if you are acne prone, and even if you're not you might experience a purge because it is such a rich exfoliant. If you try this I wouldnt use it daily, I would just kind of feel it out as to how often it's needed because you don't want to over exfoliate (this goes for while you're using...seriously you only need 10 seconds, 15 secs max on the most congested areas) because then you'll be right back to flaky patches from over exfoliated skin. In my opinion, this is the best exfoliator available for purchase and has truly been a game changer for me now that I'm in my 30's. Amazing stuff. HG status for sure.

I like to switch skin care products in the winter because my face seems to get very dry.I am always on an endless search to find a facial product that best suits my skin type.I have used this before ,a sample size long ago and i do remember liking it.Anyway this works great for me.Its a great cleanser with a mild not harsh exfoliation. I noticed immediately my face not only felt and looked very clean but it also helped remove some dead ,dry skin.My face had a nice natural color to it and so smooth.I didnt find this drying at all and i could most likely use daily if i wanted but i find it may be to much for me so im using 3 x a week.My only complaint would be how fast this dispenses out! Very wasteful.Hopefully in the future they will come up with something better that dispenses slower given the price .Hate to waste so much each use.I have ordered the foaming face soap thats enroute to use in between this and another one of their products. Hope i good good results with them as well.

I wish things that were expensive didn't work so well so that I could continue buying the cheap stuff. But... this exfoliator is great and it's cheaper than some of the other products I was going to buy. I love that it's the really small beads that you massage in and really buff your skin. In the winter my skin gets dry and using this daily keeps it smooth. I'll buy it again when I run out.

OH MY- DOES THIS EXFOLIATE! UPDATE: DECEMBER 2016... ~I am on my third order! I still like this and it still does it's job. I do not experience any redness- that went away after a few times. ~Again, be careful when dispensing as it comes out FAST and if I do not watch it, I am trying to reverse 'suck' it back into the tube! ~As far as a higher end skin care exfoliator,- I feel that this is very well priced. Some exfoliators are crazy expensive. ~It does not dry out my skin at all... BE CAREFUL if you have sensitive skin. I was surprised how red my face was the morning after I used this the first time. I am used to retinol products, and use good products including microdermabrasion that I do monthly. So when I experienced this redness, on my cheeks and nose I was surprised. I use every other day and- *My skin is baby smooth after I use this Skin Ceuticals and my serums suck into my skin. *It does not have huge BEADS or almond pieces that tear your skin- DON'T USE THOSE! (I say to my daughter!)- but rather small beads. * I use this on my hairline as well- on the back of my neck and ears- it ALL starts to hang- YUCK! *I REALLY REALLY like this. IT WORKS. *In fact- I am going to try a few other Skin Ceutical products as my serums and lotions run out, and I have been DEDICATED to one brand for over 11 years! THAT is a scary thing for me to do! *As far as making a difference... I think this is a needed addition to any skin care routine AND if you are not exfoliating- START- it is a must for other products to do their job (; OH- it comes out of the container fast, so be careful when pouring into your hands, a little will do ya.

I had seen many doctors about the scarring on my thighs (elevated lumps from folliculitis) and none of the products they prescribed helped to minimize or eliminate these unsightly scars. Within a week of using this product on the affected area during my daily shower, the lumps began to shrink and the rough skin became softer. I was so embarrassed by my legs and had vowed never to go to a pool again. I know I will need to continue the practice but having to give up the pool is no longer a concern!

It leaves your face feeling so fresh and clean, but it did seem a little expensive for the size of the bottle you receive.