Many dermatologists I’ve interviewed don’t recommend using a physical exfoliator like a face scrub, but ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish ($54) isn’t your average scrub. This one actually comes highly recommended by skin-care gurus, and after trying it myself, I understand why. Here’s my honest review.
The Benefits:
I am no stranger to a traditional double-cleanse regimen (balm, oil or micellar water, and then cream, gel or milk), but sometimes I need a good face scrub. My skin craves it, especially on those days when I feel caked in sunscreen after reapplying every two hours. However, I have combination skin that I wouldn’t classify as sensitive per se, so I fully acknowledge that physical exfoliators aren’t for everyone.
This formula uses ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals as its exfoliant to slough off dead skin cells and other debris. The texture is kind of like that wet, soft sand that sticks to your body at the beach. After I rinse my face, my skin feels baby-soft and smooth and looks more luminous. The radiance boost isn’t just temporary either. With continued use, the tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a stable form of vitamin C) in the scrub helps reduce the appearance of future dark spots and evens out a blotchy skin tone. Other noteworthy ingredients include tea tree, vitamin E, vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), and glycerin.
How to Use It:
A little goes a long way. After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, don’t fully dry your skin. While your skin is still damp, gently massage a small amount of the scrub onto your face and neck, and then rinse clean. They keyword here is “gently,” which is the keyword with any physical exfoliant. It’s not necessary to scrub too hard with any product, and if you do, it can create micro-tears in the skin.
The brand recommends using it two to three times a week to start, and then building up to everyday use. However, if your skin is dry or sensitive, you will probably be fine with using it less often. Also, this formula contains synthetic fragrance (it smells very clean and fresh), so make note of that if your skin is sensitive to fragrance specifically.
Price/Where to Buy:
