6 Microbead-Free Exfoliators To Try
Sure, you might be concerned with conserving water in the shower (we certainly are here in California!), but have you ever considered how the products you use affect the environment too? In case you haven't heard the news, those tiny plastic balls, also known as microbeads, found in exfoliators and body scrubs are doing some serious damage too.
In a nutshell, the pieces are so tiny they're hard to filter out. They then get released into lakes and oceans where fish and other critters ingest them. Worse, those pollutants travel up the food chain, which means you could end up getting those beads back, but not for exfoliating purposes. Luckily, several states including Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, and most recently, California--have created legislation to restrict the use of microbeads and more states have bills pending to follow suit.
While we wait for a total ban of plastic microbeads, we can all do our part by using microbead-free products. Here are a few exfoliators we recommend:
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($54)
Dermalogica was actually one of the first companies to put exfoliating powders on the market. The granules in this product are made with rice, so they're safe to ingest. You also get a brightening effect because it contains ingredients like bearberry, grapefruit, licorice, and soothing green tea.
Bliss Micro Magic ($48)
The microdermabrasion action in this product comes from volcanic pumice and it also contains aloe and vitamin E to sooth the skin. Use it twice a week to slough off dead skin cells and pull out impurities from your pores.
Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel ($72)
This is a two-step product that resurfaces your skin, evens out your skin tone, and minimizes fine lines. It contains vitamin C and peptide crystals that acts as the mechanical exfoliator as well as lactic and salicylic acid gel that shrinks pores and acts as the chemical exfoliator.
Renée Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads ($42.50)
This scrub smooths your skin's texture, clears pores, and evens out your skin tone. The magic is in the beads made from jojoba esters, which are environment friendly and safe for those little fish to eat. It also contains peppermint oil to increase circulation and brighten your skin.
Lush Let The Good Times Roll ($12.95)
This exfoliator is a completely natural choice and it smells like kettle corn. The main exfoliating ingredients are maize flour, corn meal, popcorn, and cinnamon. Just mix a pea-sized amount with water to make a paste and apply it to your face in small, circular motions.
Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub ($28)
There are tiny pieces of pineapple and papaya in this scrub. The enzymes from the fruits and the finely ground grains work together to gently exfoliate your skin. It's especially great to use on the T-zone area!
