St. Ives has expanded its range of facial scrubs to target all skin conditions, writes Meera Murugesan
IT was 1985. Everyone I knew was singing along to Michael Jackson’s Beat It and Dynasty was the most watched soap opera on television.
It was also the year I discovered the most important beauty ritual of my life — exfoliation.
A friend of my aunt’s came home with a jar of St. Ives Apricot Scrub (yes, it was sold in a jar then, not a tube).
Curious about how to use the product, they encouraged me to try it on first. Thirteen and eager, I gladly obliged and voila! — I discovered the wonders of exfoliation. I instantly saw a brightness and freshness in my skin and it even felt softer.
I couldn’t quite believe that a product could actually pull this off and I have been a faithful slave of exfoliation ever since.
If, like me, you have combination skin with open pores that’s prone to whiteheads and blackheads, exfoliation should be your best buddy.
Ever wondered why many men tend to have smooth, problem-free skin? It’s because they are naturally exfoliating when they shave every day.
St. Ives has significantly expanded its range of facial scrubs since the 1980s.
Besides my much-loved apricot scrub, which is now a cult classic (I still use it today), the brand has other variants such as the Radiant Skin Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub and Energizing Coconut & Coffee Scrub.
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The first is a citrusy face scrub with pink lemon and mandarin peel extracts, and works to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone.
I love its zingy, citrusy fragrance. It’s great to use first thing in the morning when you need to give your skin a “wake up” call.
It also has a “moderate” exfoliation factor so it’s gentle enough to use regularly compared to some facial scrubs. I use it about three times a week and my skin doesn’t experience any irritation.
The Coconut & Coffee Scrub, on the other hand, is a deep exfoliation product to energise tired and dull skin with antioxidants like Vitamin E and C.
I have to admit, this one doesn’t go down well with me. I do not like the creamy, nutty scent that it gives off. In my opinion, it is overpowering and I do not like the idea of something that smells and feels so rich on my face.
The Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub, however, is a clear winner. I have always struggled with blackheads and this scrub, packed with green tea is meant to unclog pores for clearer skin.
I use it twice a week and find a significant reduction in the appearance of blackheads on my face, especially around the T-zone. It has a very mild but fresh scent that is appealing too, just like the freshness one associates with green tea.
For those who want a gentle scrub, St. Ives has the Gentle Soothing Oatmeal Scrub & Mask.
It can be used either as a scrub to gently buff away dull skin or as an oatmeal and honey face mask. I use it as a mask because when it comes to scrubs, I always prefer something with a little more action.
As a mask, this product leaves my skin feeling nice and soft and refreshed.
The range also includes the brand’s much-loved favourite, the Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub and a new variant, the Acne Control Apricot Scrub.
All products are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), oil and paraben-free and dermatologist tested.