What's with the microbeads?

[Nixxxed]

So, I ran out of my normal Neutrogena face wash, and decided to try something different. I got this new St. Ive's cream face scrub - Apricot Radiance - that, among other things, claims to have "Gentle microbeads".

The cream part of the cleanser was awesome - left my face smooth and tight and tingly. But the microbeads... AIEEEEEEE!

I know microbeads help with exfoliation, but I thought they were supposed to dissolve, or break apart to release oils or moisturizers, etc. Oh no - not these. Even though I followed the directions to "avoid contact with eyes", I *still* got them in my eyes and spent the last few minutes of my shower flushing them out.

And, to make matters worse, I finished my shower, dried off, and got dressed, and then felt something weird in my eyebrows. Microbeads! And then something faintly scratchy on 3 of my 4 chest hairs. Microbeads! And ... well, let's just say "further south" and leave it at that. ;)

Why? Why? Why? :shrug: I had to go take another shower just to get them off!

Anyone else have any grooming product disasters?

[amber]

New reports are that microbeads aren't good, they are too harsh and put tiny tears in your face. The best thing is to use a gentle cleanser, with either a washcloth or a very soft brush. That provides plenty of exfoliation. Then perhaps get a toner, which will further exfoliate and clean your pores. I wouldn't even exfoliate every day, your skin needs to have it's natural oils on it for at least a little bit every day, it helps it heal and provides protection.
:wavey:
I've been reading about how you shouldn't use microbeads for years, where have you been? :laugh:

[Nixxxed]

New reports are that microbeads aren't good, they are too harsh and put tiny tears in your face. The best thing is to use a gentle cleanser, with either a washcloth or a very soft brush. That provides plenty of exfoliation. Then perhaps get a toner, which will further exfoliate and clean your pores. I wouldn't even exfoliate every day, your skin needs to have it's natural oils on it for at least a little bit every day, it helps it heal and provides protection.
:wavey:
I've been reading about how you shouldn't use microbeads for years, where have you been? :laugh:
Well that explains why they added the "gentle microbeads" disclaimer then. :laugh:

But I seriously had no idea they were bad, or that they didn't dissolve or break open. Now I'll have to clean my shower again tomorrow, too - unless I want to just pretend I'm at a very sandy beach. (EDIT: As opposed to, you know, the kind of beach with NO sand. :rolleyes: Maybe I should just cut my lossed and go to bed. :D )

[amber]

Well that explains why they added the "gentle microbeads" disclaimer then. :laugh:

But I seriously had no idea they were bad, or that they didn't dissolve or break open. Now I'll have to clean my shower again tomorrow, too - unless I want to just pretend I'm at a very sandy beach. (EDIT: As opposed to, you know, the kind of beach with NO sand. :rolleyes: Maybe I should just cut my lossed and go to bed. :D )
Ah, yes, the sandless beaches. One of my most memorable vacations! :laugh:
um, yeah, if they feel sandy? they are probably not that gentle.

[all the same]

Aveda makes a great gentle exfoliant. It's a liquid, so isn't abrasive to your skin. I like it but sometimes I like to use a salt scrub to really GIVE 'ER! :lol: I've never experienced microbeads, but having them in my pubes would hardly be my idea of a good time!

[Janet]

Neutrogena has a new face wash line that works great. It's like $25 but it comes with face wash and two lotions. The face wash exfoliates but sooooooooooooo gently---and cleans too.

If that is too much, the best is aveeno. Their exfoliating face wash doesn't clean as well as the Neutrogena IMO but it's very gentle.

[Jessica Leigh]

So, I ran out of my normal Neutrogena face wash, and decided to try something different. I got this new St. Ive's cream face scrub - Apricot Radiance - that, among other things, claims to have "Gentle microbeads".

The cream part of the cleanser was awesome - left my face smooth and tight and tingly. But the microbeads... AIEEEEEEE!

I know microbeads help with exfoliation, but I thought they were supposed to dissolve, or break apart to release oils or moisturizers, etc. Oh no - not these. Even though I followed the directions to "avoid contact with eyes", I *still* got them in my eyes and spent the last few minutes of my shower flushing them out.

And, to make matters worse, I finished my shower, dried off, and got dressed, and then felt something weird in my eyebrows. Microbeads! And then something faintly scratchy on 3 of my 4 chest hairs. Microbeads! And ... well, let's just say "further south" and leave it at that. ;)

Why? Why? Why? :shrug: I had to go take another shower just to get them off!

Anyone else have any grooming product disasters?

oh my... i had the same problem with this stuff... i went to the store, they were out of my usual facial cleanser, and i saw all these ads and displays for this st ives apricot radiance so i thought "well lets try it then" no no no... first off, i don't have sensitive skin, but it BURNED my face. i had to use green tinted makeup for a day to mask my red face... RED! and those microbeads are awful! i don't have chest hair, but they did get caught in my hairline and when i rinsed my face some of them somehow got in my armpits and stuck in there! i found them while drying off after the shower. terrible!

also, my roommate got a free sample of it somewhere, tried it, and hated it too... it needs to just go away.

[Janet]

Thanks for the heads up, I will NEVER use that.

[wondergirl9847]

I used to use St. Ives, but I have bad acne for some God-awful reason :( and I have to use Pro-Activ. I had a horrible breakout a couple of weeks ago, and my mom suggested using soap in the morning and Pro-Activ at night, so that's what I did, and my face has cleared up. I am using Oil of Olay soap. I've not used the microbead St. Ives, but it was Apricot Scrub and I think even that was too harsh for my face. I have a hard time finding the right combo to keep my face clean and acne-free.

[skcin]

Nixxxed - make sure you see a doctor if your vision seems affected or your eyes still hurt after a day or so. These things can cause corneal abrasions.

[Nixxxed]

Neutrogena has a new face wash line that works great. It's like $25 but it comes with face wash and two lotions. The face wash exfoliates but sooooooooooooo gently---and cleans too.

If that is too much, the best is aveeno. Their exfoliating face wash doesn't clean as well as the Neutrogena IMO but it's very gentle.

I love Neutrogena. I've always used the plain ole' orange liquid, and never had a problem. $25 sounds a little steep, though.

[Nixxxed]

oh my... i had the same problem with this stuff... i went to the store, they were out of my usual facial cleanser, and i saw all these ads and displays for this st ives apricot radiance so i thought "well lets try it then" no no no... first off, i don't have sensitive skin, but it BURNED my face. i had to use green tinted makeup for a day to mask my red face... RED! and those microbeads are awful! i don't have chest hair, but they did get caught in my hairline and when i rinsed my face some of them somehow got in my armpits and stuck in there! i found them while drying off after the shower. terrible!

also, my roommate got a free sample of it somewhere, tried it, and hated it too... it needs to just go away.
Aha! I knew I couldn't be the only person with the same microbead problems. Thanks for sharing! :xoxo:

It says it has Salicylic Acid - could that be what burned your face? I don't know what that is, but like I said - the cream part of the cleanser worked awesome for me.

And I don't much about makeup, but where in the world did you come up with green-tinted foundation? :shrug:

[Nixxxed]

I used to use St. Ives, but I have bad acne for some God-awful reason :( and I have to use Pro-Activ. I had a horrible breakout a couple of weeks ago, and my mom suggested using soap in the morning and Pro-Activ at night, so that's what I did, and my face has cleared up. I am using Oil of Olay soap. I've not used the microbead St. Ives, but it was Apricot Scrub and I think even that was too harsh for my face. I have a hard time finding the right combo to keep my face clean and acne-free.
Do you mean the St. Ives Apricot scrub with the ground-up apricot pits as the exfoliating agent (comes in an orange tube)? Yeah - that stuff ripped me to shreds the one time I tried it.

I only had bad acne in sporadic fits in high school, thankfully. But I remember what it was like, and I'm so glad things like ProActiv are now on the market (plus a few others). People make such a big deal about it improving your looks - but it was never about that for me. Acne hurts and itches and oozes and is just a big pain!

[Nixxxed]

Nixxxed - make sure you see a doctor if your vision seems affected or your eyes still hurt after a day or so. These things can cause corneal abrasions.
Yikes - I hadn't even thought of that. Well, the Tube O' Microbeads is already in the trash, and I haven't noticed any vision impairment today (thankfully). I'm glad I used it in the shower - if I had just been washing my face at the sink, getting the out would've been hell. :nod: