Best Exfoliating Mask

I’m wildly obsessed with great skincare, but that doesn’t mean I want a big, lengthy routine. It means I want clean, effective skincare that’s enjoyable to use. So when I found the best exfoliating face mask (it’s this one), I did a happy dance.

I LOVE good exfoliating face mask/scrubs. Soft skin, smaller looking pores, more radiant (fresh skin), and more even makeup application (basically all the things that led me to stop wearing foundation)! Oh, and after a few months of using this scrub, I noticed that my skin tone was more even and my serums were more effective – vitamin c and peptide serums alike! This I AM polished product is the best exfoliating mask!

Best Exfoliating Mask

There are many kinds of exfoliating products available. One important distinction to know is the difference between a chemical exfoliant and a physical exfoliant.

A chemical exfoliant (not scary, I promise) is an ingredient, think lactic acid, salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid – BHA), or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), that resurface your skin by the nature of the ingredients. It’s like a liquid exfoliant! Think along the lines of a chemical peel done by a professional – only these are much less intense and safe to use at home.

A physical exfoliant is that “scratchy” kind of exfoliation so many of us are used to. Physical exfoliants immediately leave skin feeling soft. Examples include pumice, rice bran, sugar, salt, coffee grounds, shell, oatmeal, etc. There are loads of examples – and obviously very natural/safe ones alongside synthetic ones.

A physical exfoliant is going to be good at exfoliating the surface of your skin. Chemical exfoliants are going to be able to sink in a little deeper. Exfoliating masks that offer both physical and chemical exfoliants are the most effective at softening skin for longer periods of time.

Is Exfoliating Your Face Good?

Absolutely. Our skin naturally turns over – all over our body. With the right exfoliating mask and the right skincare routine, you’re just evening out and amping up this natural process.

Exfoliating products help slough off dead skin cells! Uneven layers of skin can lead to variations in texture and tone that aren’t wanted. It can also lead to hair follicles clogging and hair not being able to grow (i.e. zits).

When your skin is properly exfoliated, it’s more vibrant (glowing), softer, and smoother. It can also help minimize dark spots, evening out your skin tone. And while that feels and looks great, it also all helps makeup go on (and stay on) more smoothly. Which keeps makeup in place for longer!

The two groups of people who might want to seek professional advice before using an exfoliating mask are people with very sensitive skin and people with acne prone skin. Alternatively, you can always do a patch test where you try the mask on a small part of your skin – often along the jawline or under your neck. Just ease into it and see how your skin reacts.

Should you Exfoliate Your Face Everyday

I’ve long been a fan of exfoliating, but there’s a bit of an art to it (i.e. you CAN do it too much). Super aggressive, drying exfoliants can actually irritate your skin and break down your skin barrier (think of it as the gate keeper to your skin’s happiness and sanity).

Exfoliating too much or with drying, irritating ingredients can lead to itchiness, dryness, and excessive oil production. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but your skin will produce extra oil if it’s dehydrated….which gives you oily skin. When I’m helping people find their skincare routine, helping them get the right moisturizer is one of the most important steps. What’s your skin type?

Some products are advertised as everyday exfoliators. These tend to have very gentle exfoliants in them (think rice bran that’s very small and dissolves more easily) and they tend to only be physical exfoliants. I used to use these regularly but, truthfully, scratching layers of your skin off isn’t great either, so you have to find a good balance.

How Often Should I Exfoliate My Face

There is no single answer to this. At most, you can exfoliate every 2-3 days probably. In the summer, this is ideal for my skin with this polished face mask. In winter, when my skin is drier and much more sensitive, I can only exfoliate once per week. Listen to your skin. If it feels angry after an exfoliating mask, then it’s been too soon.

When you first start using an exfoliating product, it’s best to ease into it. Let your skin adapt to the changes. You could probably start with 2x per week if you skin is responding well. Then increase it as needed.

I will note that an exfoliating mask is an active product – you’re sloughing off skin, so you want to be kind and gentle to your skin. For me, this means using a gentle facial oil rather than a moisturizer after masking. In the winter, I may need to do this for two days since my skin is so much more sensitive.

What Can I Use to Scrub My Face

There are a number of items already in your home that make fine physical exfoliators.

• wet coffee grounds
• sugar
• oatmeal
• brown sugar

Yogurt can be gentle chemical exfoliators – think lactic acid, but it’s going to be very gentle.

How Hard Or Soft Should A Face Exfoliator Be?

This really depends on your skin. I’ve used items that have very scratchy exfoliants in them, wrapped in a smooth lotion. These tend to be more scratchy but not as uniformly exfoliating. Others, like rice bran, are very soft, but I don’t find them very effective. Physical exfoliants like pumice are my happy (sustainable, clean) place!

Best Exfoliating Face Mask

The face exfoliating scrub was one of the first Crunchi products I tried and I’m almost ready to admit that it’s my favorite of them all – but don’t make me pick. My friends and clients totally agree – I’m getting everyone hooked on it.

Ok. So it does everything it’s supposed to, but why do I think this is the best face exfoliating scrub?

Crunchi I Am Polished Exfoliator Review

PROS:

• Natural/Clean Beauty
• Gentle Scent
• Effective
• Use of Paracress (nature’s “botox” – see more below)
• Glowy
• Easy to use
• No wait time*

CONS:

• might be too aggressive for very sensitive skin
• at $60, it’s more expensive (*Get my Crunchi discount code*)

*To use the I AM polished exfoliating mask, apply to clean, damp skin. Scrub all over and rinse. You can leave the mask on for 5 minutes for the chemical exfoliant portion. Follow with toner/essence, serum (nothing too active), and moisturizer. After using this mask, I use this facial oil as it’s nourishing and gentle.

To learn more about skincare steps, read what skin toners are for and the benefits of facial serum.

I think Crunchi makes some fabulous products. They have the best facial oil and I really love their liquid blush as well. You can read my Crunchi skincare review and my Crunchi makeup review too.

What is Paracress?

Paracress was a new one to me, but I love it. Think of it as a natural alternative to injectables (e.g. botox). It’s actually been proven to help soften wrinkles. It’s a powerhouse for getting smooth skin and is great if you’re looking for that “anti-aging” factor. Add that to the options for the best natural retinol products and life just keeps getting better!

Paracress is combined with glycolic, lactic, and fruit acids in this scrub, which gently remove dead skin cells. The pumice is a natural exfoliant for skin that’s finer than many other products, making it more suitable for even sensitive skin but effective for everyone.

And then the green tea leaf extract helps to soothe skin and gives the product a subtle but HEAVENLY scent.

Want some more skin care greatness? You’ll love my Crunchi Body Treatment review – see my before/after photos of just a few days of using the product on my décolleté to minimize pinkness and sunspots.

Natural & Clean Beauty

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!