Beauty

[ellaphant]

I have dry, sensitive skin. After trying several scrub products, I found I liked St. Ives Apricot scrub, from the drugstore, the best. I only use it one a week.

A tip from NYC dermatologist Patricia Wexler, who used to be on QVC - I saw her in the mid 90's when I lived in NYC. She told me to STOP using soap on my face and body as it is SO drying. Boy did I see a difference! I use organic non- soap washes generally, in a pinch Aveeno or Baby Shampoo!

[JeanLouiseFinch]

If you want a gentle facial exfoliator, I highly recommend Fleur de Lis Rice and Papaya Enzyme Powder. You get it on Amazon. The unscented is not pleasant at all. I'd recommend the Madagasacar Vanilla as being the least offensive scent. It's actually pleasant. The FDL enzyme powder is free of talc, which can be an irritant for some people.

[Marbellaspain]

The Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion cream is fabulous. I find it gentle. Tatcha enzyme powder is very good too, even more gentle. If you don't have allergies to aspirin, dissolve 8-9 uncoated tablets in hand. Put all over face. Wait about 10 min. Add water and works as a scrub. Super cheap and very effective. My favorite travel mask/scrub.

[Tigriss]

I use and love baking soda mixed with my regular cleaner/baby shampoo. I have eczema, so I need something gentle to get the flakes off without irritating it. I also use my Salux cloth gently as my other exfoliater, but it is more so than the baking soda. I also brush my teeth with baking soda. I use baking soda for lots of things. You can also get an exfoliating facial cloth or a buff puff at your store for gentle exfoliation. I have sensitive, T zone oily skin with dry patches of eczema. I still break out around my cycle and hate that!

[maestra]

Instead of a scrub you may do better with an enzyme peer, esp. since you are sensitive: Dr. Gross peel pads, PTR Wrinkle pads are ones I have used and I'm hyper sensitive. Scrubs can tear the skin.

[maestra]

Don't use St. Ive's scrubs-they are hellish on sensitive skin!

[w84WEN]

Can I offer a different suggestion? Rather than a facial scrub, try using Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil (or any of your favorite facial oil). I'm using Retin A at night and our skin needs a moisturizer without water. Water increases the redness and irritation so try to avoid those, at least at night, if you can. Beauty products are trial and error for most of us. It's not a one size fits all so it can also get costly. If you have a Sephora near you, stop in a pick up a few different samples. They have always been so kind and willing to help. Good luck mammaslp.

[mommaslp]

Thank you everyone! I knew I'd get great advice from all of you! I'm going to try a couple different suggestions and hopefully find the one that works. It is trail and error. With me, what worked last winter may not work this year. That's why I value your input so much.

I am curious to try the aspirin recommendation. Have never heard or done that before. Makes sense in theory. Thanks again!

[feline groovy]

I've been a fan of St. Ives products for decades, and use their regular apricot scrub plus this for my face.

Highly recommend it, and it's available at Amazon where others do as well.

[Crisso]

I prefer AHAs (normal to dry) or BHAs (oily) or gentle enzyme peels to scrubs. The latter will scratch the skin over time, no matter the shape of the bead. Initially the tears are so minuscule that they are barely visible, which is why I think people believe they are doing no harm.