The second product I got from Banler is Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads. I LOVE exfoliators and really had high hopes for this product. Claims (from the bottle) are:
This highly effective, gentle, non-abrasive scrub for all skin types that contains soft ultra-gentle jojoba beads and botanical nutrients that work in two ways. First, they help exfoliate surface dead skin cells, allowing active treatment products and moisturizers to penetrate better when applied. Then, our ultra-fine jojoba beads help open clogged pores and emulsify the sebum that contributes to blackheads and whiteheads. Because these unique buffing beads gradually dissolve with continued contact with the skin’s surface, the risk of irritation is minimal, leaving the skin smooth and refreshed.
Sounds great, eh? Exfoliates, and gets rid of sebum. Unfortunately, this product just did not live up to my expectations. I have used it on my face, upper arms and chest daily for a couple weeks now. It is fine, but way too gentle for my tastes. I like a much scrubbier exfoliant. I know some would say that damages the skin, but I don’t believe that is the case once you get used to them and use them sparingly (which is fine with me, I have little desire to add exfoliating to my DAILY routine anyways…with a good exfoliator once or twice a week should be enough. I used to live in Asia, and man did they exfoliate there, scrubbing with rough towels until flakes of skin fell off everywhere. Koreans have very soft skin though, not damaged at all. I got in the habit of heavy duty exfoliating there and still prefer it.
Back to Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads: Just didn’t cut it. Two things I use exfoliators for regularly are the the dry patches and bumps I get on on my upper arms, and the oily white bumps I get next to my nose. This product did next to nothing for these areas. As well, I did have some whiteheads when using the product, and it did nothing for them. Nothing. I do like the marine scent and how easily the beads rinse off (sometimes an issue with scrubs), but not enough to buy this product, especially at the hefty price of $30.60 at Banler (more elsewhere) for an 8oz bottle. Back to my favorite exfoliant, Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub or my more affordable second choice scrub, Queen Helene!
I will say, however, that the Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads did get some great reviews at make-up alley.com, so if you are a fan of gentler scrubs, you may want to ignore me and try it anyways!
