Aesop Facial Exfoliants
Exfoliation should be a key process in any skincare regime, so if you're not exfoliating at least once a week, get on it! Not only does exfoliation help to remove dead skin cells and smoothen areas of dry skin, but it also is the perfect way to prep your skin for a mask or deep treatment. If your skin is clean and your pores open and rid of nasties then your mask/treatment etc will be 100000 times more effective. And as if you need any more reasons to exfoliate, Aesop have released the perfect products to scrub yourself to clean smooth skin.
Aesop is, as you probably know, one of my all time favourite skincare brands. If you're serious about taking care of your skin, and prepared to invest time and money into the process then I highly recommend that you check them out. I've raved about their oh so amazing face masks many a time (see here and here), and am currently hooked on their Parsley Seed Cleanser* which is working wonders on my skin, so I was really excited to add some Aesop exfoliants to my routine. These are both quite different products, but both actually work really well with my skin and I would heartily recommend them to anyone looking to add a good quality exfoliator to their regime.
First up, the Facial Purifying Exfoliant Paste* (£35). Formula-wise this is pretty much what you expect from an exfoliant; a light, creamy consistency with exfoliating particles. However, what I love about this product is that there aren't too many exfoliating particles within the formula so it isn't at all harsh on my skin (think polish, rather than scrub). Part of the "exfoliation" aspect of this product comes from the inclusion of lactic acid, an AHA which sloughs off dead surface cells. If this sounds brutal, fear not. Lactic acid is one of the most gentle and moisturising exfoliants you can find, so this is the perfect exfoliant if you suffer from acne, rosacea, or have easily irritated skin. It's also brilliant for evening out skin tone and fading acne scars, so spot on for the spot sufferers amongst you (pun intended). This product is also packed with natural ingredients known for calming and soothing the skin such as chamomile, lavender, and rosemary, and contains glycerin so your skin will feel super soft, smooth, and supple after use.
For the spot-sufferes amongst you who prefer something a little more targeted, the Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant* (£27) might be more up your street. I love love love the concept of this product and can't believe it isn't done more often because it works so well, and is such a perfect way of tailoring your skincare to suit your skin. This cute little glass bottle contains finely ground exfoliant particles, designed to be mixed in with a cleanser of your choice so that you have complete control over the strength of exfoliation. The beauty being not only that you can choose just how exfoliating you want the formula to be, but you can add it to any type of cleanser. Oil, balm, cream, you name it. Mind blown yet?? I was expecting this to be quite fiddly and messy but was pleasantly surprised b how easy and simple it was to use. I tipped a small amount onto the palm of my hand, poured on some of the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleanser, and mixed it together before applying to a damp face. This is probably the gentlest exfoliant I've every used, and I wasn't frugal with the amount of exfoliant I applied! Whilst its effects probably aren't as noticeable as the Exfoliant Paste, this would be ideal if you suffer from really sensitive skin or have a bit of a fear of exfoliation. Obviously, containing tea tree and aloe vera makes this perfect for spot-prone skin. It's also probably more suited to oily skin sufferers than the Exfoliant Paste, which I would say is more effective on dry skin.
I'm personally in love with both of these products. I always exfoliate before doing a mask (three times a week) so I've gotten into the habit of using the Exfoliant Paste once a week and the Tea Tree Exfoliant twice a week. A little goes a long way so these products are definitely worth what you pay for them. Yet another five star experience with Aesop skincare, I'm already eyeing up their moisturisers...
You can buy Aesop products instore, online, and in Liberty's and Selfridges stores across the UK. To stay updated with similar posts and reviews you can follow me on Wordpress, Bloglovin, and Twitter.