Forget Walnuts, Here Are Our Top 5 Exfoliating Scrubs

Following in the footsteps of her hugely successful Kylie Cosmetics make-up range, Kylie Jenner has now officially set her sights on adding a skincare range to her growing beauty brand. Cleansers, serums, toners, and scrubs are normally found in skincare collections and Kylie Skin is no different. The collection includes six products — a foaming face wash, a vitamin C serum, a toner, a moisturizer, an eye cream, and a walnut face scrub.

One would think that the release of a new skincare collection, by a Kardashian-Jenner no less, would be welcomed by the masses. Unfortunately, the use of walnuts has many wondering just how safe the new range really is. 

Why do we worry about walnuts in face scrubs?

In a social media post, Kylie Jenner demonstrated the new walnut face scrub. She even credits it as the secret to her fresh face. Granted, what she does to maintain her face is up for debate. However, the consensus is that the use of a walnut scrub is not it.

A walnut face scrub. my secret to a fresh face. xo, Kylie pic.twitter.com/zRPwqKv0HA

— Kylie Skin (@kylieskin) May 14, 2019

Walnut shell powder is an ingredient often used in facial exfoliating products. While there has yet to be any definitive data, many believe that this ingredient is way too harsh for the skin. Some believe that it even causes microscopic tears in the skin, causing inflammation and other skin texture issues. New York aesthetic expert and board-certified dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, shared her views to POPSUGAR,

“Walnut scrubs are not good for your skin. It’s not the walnuts. It’s the fact that the ground walnut shells can never be pulverized enough to make round edges….Hard walnut shells will create small microtears in the skin, which will ultimately alter your texture in a bad way. In my opinion, this ingredient is too harsh for a face scrub and should absolutely not be used as frequently as it’s being promoted.”

Your exfoliation routine

As we age, the rate of skin cell turnover slows down. This means that the body takes longer to shed dead skin cells and regenerate new ones. This can leave us with dry and weakened skin. Exfoliating, however, helps to slough away dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover. This then leaves us with smoother and more radiant skin.

There are two forms of exfoliation – physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation uses a tool – granules and crystals- physically scrub off dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, uses chemicals – particularly facial acids such as lactic acid and glycolic acid – to chemically dissolve the bond that holds the dead skin cells to the surface of your skin. It does this without any physical scrubbing. People often opt for chemical exfoliants because they’re much gentler on the skin’s surface.

As mentioned, everybody’s skin is different. That said, Kylie’s new walnut scrub may be gentle and effective enough to address your particular skin concerns. However, if irritation and redness occur upon use, it would be advisable to opt for a gentler face scrub.

In choosing your face scrub, it’s important to ensure that it does not contain any microbeads as these can harm both your skin and the environment. That said, we’ve compiled a list of natural scrubs that’ll protect both the barrier and the health of your skin.

Our Favorite Face Scrubs

1. S.W. Basics Exfoliant($12.88)

An organic and cruelty-free product that’s also void of any synthetic ingredients, S.W. Basics Exfoliant is as gentle to the skin as it is on the environment. Like the other products under the S.W. Basic’s range, this exfoliant has no more than 5 natural ingredients. In fact, it only has 3 – organic oat flour, organic almond flour and sea salt.

Oat flour helps to soften and moisturize the skin, almond flour is just abrasive enough to gently scrub away dead skin cells and, as it contains vitamin E, it also offers antioxidant protection. A common ingredient in marine-based skincare, sea salt helps to reinforce the skin barrier – which some harsh exfoliants tend to erode away.

2. First Botany Cosmeceuticals Arabia Coffee Scrub ($15.45)

 

 

Coffee-lovers and beauty junkies unite. This particular scrub from First Botany is rich in both natural ingredients and skin-loving antioxidants. In addition to Kona coffee, other organic ingredients found in the scrub (which also doubles as a body scrub) include olive oil, dead sea salt, dead sea salt granules, Shea butter, coconut extract and grape seed oil.

The caffeine found in coffee grains helps to alleviate the appearance of wrinkles by boosting blood flow and encouraging the production of both collagen and elastin. As both these proteins decrease as we age, we need all the help we can get in maintaining our collagen and elastin levels. Dead sea salt helps speed up the appearance of new, healthier skin and Shea butter helps keep the skin moisturized.

3. Herbivore Botanicals – All Natural Pink Clay Exfoliating Facial Mask ($22)

 

The use of clay in skincare products has become second nature due to its ability to enhance skin health. Herbivore Botanical’s exfoliating clay mask uses French pink clay (kaolin), rose hips, and chamomile flower petals to soften the skin and leave it looking radiant.

The French Pink clay found in the facial mask encourages cell renewal and it’s also apt at drawing out impurities. This makes it a go-to ingredient for those battling with congested and oily skin. Rose hips are fruits from the wild rose plant, and they are rich in omega fatty acids. It encourages a youthful appearance by keeping the skin plump and hydrated. The chamomile petals serve to sooth the skin, and they can also ease any skin inflammation you may be battling with.

4. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($29.50)

The priciest product on our list, Paula’s Choice exfoliant offers both exfoliating and anti-aging benefits. It’s also a bonus that the product is gentle enough to be used daily. If you’re battling with breakouts and visible signs of aging, then this non-abrasive exfoliant is definitely the one for you.

The salicylic acid found in this product serves to chemically shed off the dead skin cells laying on the skin’s surface. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, which serves to minimize enlarged pores and prevent the appearance of blackheads. Furthermore, the acid also helps to ease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The other notable ingredient found in this particular product is green tea. Not only does it offer antioxidant protection, but it also combats the aging effects of sun damage. 

5. Minimo Bath & Body Glow Lemon Cake Turmeric Skin Brightening Facial Scrub ($15.95)

Any scrub that uses natural ingredients that can be found in the kitchen is a scrub that will be gentle and effective on your face. The two key ingredients in Minimo’s organic and kosher facial scrubs are turmeric and raw Manuka honey – both of which help to leave on with a brightened and youthful appearance.

Turmeric, a staple in ayurvedic beauty practices, helps to clear the skin of toxins, combat hyper pigmentation and remove dead skin cells. Raw Manuka honey helps to heal the skin from acne by drawing out impurities, promotes cellular regeneration and it even helps the skin retain moisture.

Want To Know More?

Now that you’ve got your facial scrubs sorted out, how are you planning on taking care of your hair over the summer? Not sure? For help on how to manage your hair this summer, click here for our tips that’ll help keep your mane healthy in the summer sun.