Exfoliating/exfoliators/cleansers/makeup removers

[ellex0]

Hi there! 🙂 so I can finally say that I’m extremely happy with my skin lately. My complexion has done almost a complete 360 from when I started actually caring. So- that was just an update for those lovely ladies that consistently give me great advice regarding my thousands of questions! Anyway, at one point I DID have a pretty large hiccup where my skin decided to revert back to extremely dry. This time it was flaking which it had never done before. I realized it was because I was using a couple Dermalogica products that contained many ingredients that irritate sensitive skin - they claim to be for dry skin but they are not good for dry AND sensitive skin. I started using Dermalogica Precleanse (oil cleanser/makeup remover) along with the Soecial Cleansing Gel (devil product numero uno) and the Daily Microfoliant (devil product numero dos). The precleanse actually really worked well for me, but it’s an oil that reminds me a lot of Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil. That’s actually why I chose the precleanse, because I had been using the Tatcha Camellia daily for a month and I fell in love with how quickly and easily it removed my makeup and it didn’t irritate my skin. I had run out of the Tatcha, and I didn’t have it in my budget to purchase it again right away. Same reason I bought the Daily Microfoliant. Based on what I was told by a consultant it was more comparable to the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder, only just a tad bit more rough. When I was using the Tatcha powder, I had no problems using it every day. I loved using it every day and sometimes if I wore heavier makeup I’d use it at night too. Never dried me out, if anything it improved my skins texture with daily use. Well this consultant that recommended me these 3 products (I bought mini travel sizes because I was skeptical, good thing) clearly didn’t hear me tell her multiple times that I have sensitive skin. After just one use of the special cleansing gel and the “daily” Microfoliant, I woke up and my skin was legitimately peeling as if I had a sunburn and I have never had skin so dry that it would flake or peel. It was so dry that it was painful to even make a normal facial expression and it felt like sandpaper. There was not enough moisturizer or face oil in the world to revive my skin at that point. So I immediately stopped using both of those products and continued to use the precleanse with no issues. I actually have stopped exfoliating completely for the past week to prevent further damage. ANYWAY, I found out that the microfoliant and the cleansing gel have BOTH Salicylic Acid AND Alpha Hydroxy Acid Acid in them. Like, both. At the same time. I also learned that the combination of those two ingredients can and will literally rip your face apart, which it definitely did. With all of that being said, I have managed to nurse my skin back to where it was before and I think I’m ready to start exfoliating again. I still don’t have it in my budget to purchase both of my lovely Tatcha products I was using before... so I’m looking for recommendations on what I can use that’s a little easier on my wallet. I really want to stick with an oil cleanser for makeup removal like the camellia oil. I would follow the cleanser with the Tatcha rice powder just to make sure all of my makeup residue was gone... so I’m hoping to find an exfoliant that is gentle like the Tatcha one and that I can use daily. I know exfoliating daily isn’t always good for you, but when I used the rice powder daily for over a month I had no adverse effects and like I said it actually really improved my skins texture and it felt very soft and hydrated after each use. I do need something super gentle though, because of the fact that I prefer to use it daily and my skin really is very sensitive. I didn’t even realize that Tatcha makes a rice powder for sensitive skin called Indigo... because the original one in the white tub seemed like it would be for sensitive skin. I want the Indigo but I can only find it online and right now I can afford travel sizes of everything and that’s about it. Thank you AGAIN for being patient with my long novel posts lol. I credit a lot of you in the beauty insider community for all of the amazing results I’ve seen with my skin. Sooo what can I use that would basically be a dupe to my Tatcha routine?

[mafan]

I forgot to add, if you’re worried about makeup removal, you don’t need to use a scrub to make sure you get things off. Use an oil or balm cleanser first to remove the makeup. Remove it with a warm, gentle cloth. Then use a cream or milk cleanser to wash your face. Don’t use anything foaming — they’re generally too harsh and definitely would dry out your skin. 

I like Clinique Take The Day Off for the first step. I use the balm, but I remembered that they have a cleansing oil, too. 

[mafan]

Given how sensitive your skin is, I’d really suggest staying away from a walnut scrub, especially if you want something daily. Walnut just doesn’t have nice smooth edges and you need something gentle. 

I also agree that something with acids and a scrub scrub like the Dermologica is going to be too strong for you. 

If you like the Tatcha, go over to their website and get the trial size there. (The Indigo might be called sensitive, now.) It’s $15 for the trial size and postage is free at $25 if you want to get the oil cleanser, too. Then get packets at checkout of the different strengths of powder cleanser to see what you like best. And save up for a full size. You could end up spending more on things that don’t suit you. 

Alternatively, try a gentle chemical exfoliator and stay away from anything physical. The First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are nice if you’re shopping at Sephora. Pixi Glow Tonic is a nice affordable choice and you can find that at Target. 

Amore Pacific also makes an enzyme powder cleanser, but it might be more than the Tatcha version. 

Daily exfoliation can be fine as as long as you use something gentle. I think you’d be okay with what I mention above, although you might try every other day with the chemical until you know you’re okay. I would not do daily with a scrub that is more aggressive. 

As as far as oil cleansers, there are a lot of those around. I love the Tatcha one, and the Tata Harper I’m using now is out of your budget range. Bobbi Brown has a nice one and I like the Boscia one, too. You could probably sample a few if you’re near a Sephora store and have time to visit at a quieter point in the day. 

Good luck finding something that suits you. 

[TrysBeautyItems]

@ellex0 I've tried an old version of the walnut scrub, it was too harsh for my non-dry sensitive skin, was better for the body. Origins Modern Friction (tube) was gentler. It's rice,  but becomes a bit creamy with water. It's not loose rice like Dermalogica's/Tatcha.

[SpaceLlama]

I also use the OLEHENRIKSEN - Transforming Walnut Scrub a few times a week and love it! If you want something a little less coarse, Derma E's Microdermabrasion scrub is also great. They don't sell it at Sephora though.

@ellex0

[alexasteph]

@ellex0 There are not many powders available at Sephora, if you preferred that formula. My own personal preference, I don’t like using a daily physical exfoliant. Ones that are marketed as daily use I find to be too irritating when actually used daily. I do a stronger physical exfoliation a few times a week, lately I’ve liked OLEHENRIKSEN - Transforming Walnut Scruband OLEHENRIKSEN - Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub. I use the walnut scrub when I want a quick polish and the sauna scrub when I want a deeper pore clean out. 

[faeriegirl]

@ellex0 I really like OLEHENRIKSEN - Transforming Walnut Scrub. Its not for daily use but you can use it 3 times a week. I think it is great for exfoliation and it smells great. So glad to hear your skin is doing better!

[ellex0]

@faeriegirl @alexasteph I love how both of you recommended products that just happen to be my favorite brand of skincare. I actually saw the walnut scrub at Marshall’s and I just so happen to be on my way there now! I go there for most everything household related and I had intended to go there anyway. Last time I was there they had the walnut scrub but I didnt buy it. The Olehenriksen products at Marshall’s are in the old packaging... and I’ve bought two of the moisturizers and I love them. Nothing changed with the formulas though right? Just the packaging? I’m going to pick up the walnut scrub if it’s still there because it’s half the price of what it is at Sephora lol. Also Alexa the other one you mentioned, is that the one in the green packaging? For some reason I was under the impression that was for oily acne prone skin. I don’t have oily or acne prone skin so I’ve stayed away from it. Is it for oily skin? Will it dry me out? I’m all for a good deep pore cleanse but only if it doesn’t make my face dry. The Tatcha powder is the first powder exfoliant I’ve ever tried but I really do like it. Something about being able to control the consistency with the amount of water you mix it with. But if I use the two products mentioned, should I alternate each one every other day? I just get super paranoid about makeup residue. Also, is it better to exfoliate morning or night?

[faeriegirl]

@ellex0 I always exfoliate at night. In the mornings I don’t cleanse I just rinse my face. I have also used the sauna scrub and it was good, I just prefer the walnut one. I think I have seen a set that has 3 different OH scrubs from Marshall’s. If it has the almond scrub it is really good too.

[alexasteph]

@ellex0 I actually didn’t use it before the packaging change so I can’t speak to that. I only use each one once a week a few days apart. I don’t have oily skin either but I have no issues using the Sauna scrub. I absolutely love it! It’s super cooling and refreshing too - but first it starts off warm to open pores so it’s a nice sensation.