| Rating | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Good |
aluminaAluminum oxide, which is used as an abrasive, a thickening agent, and an absorbent in cosmetics. |
| Good |
aluminum silicateSalt that has absorbent and abrasive properties.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Scrub Agents
|
| Average |
apricot kernelOften used as an abrasive agent in so-called "natural" scrubs. Apricot kernals have irregular and...
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
| Average |
azuki beansLegumes that are often ground up for use in skincare scrub products.
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
| Average |
diatomaceous earthLight-colored porous rock composed of the skeletons of minute sea creatures called diatoms....
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
| Best |
jojoba estersJojoba esters are a mixture of esters from jojoba oil and hydrogenated jojoba oil that are used as emollients, occlusives, or as scrub particles in cosmetics. |
| Good |
polyethyleneA synthetic polymer whose many uses in cosmetics depend on whether it is used in solid, wax, or liquid forms. In solid form it can be an abrasive; wax and liquid forms serve as binding or thickening agents and film-formers. |
| Good |
polyethylene glycolAlso listed as PEG on ingredient labels, polyethylene glycol is an ingredient that self-proclaimed...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Scrub Agents
|
| Average |
sea saltCan be effective as a topical scrub, but if left on skin it can increase skin sensitivity to UVB...
Categories:
Scrub Agents,
Sensitizing
|
| Good |
sodium chlorideMore popularly known as common table salt. Used primarily as a binding agent in skincare products...
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
| Average |
walnut shell powderAbrasive used in scrub products; not preferred to polyethylene beads.
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
| Good |
sodium bicarbonateA synthetic inorganic salt more commonly known as baking soda. It has many functions in cosmetics, including pH adjuster, buffering agent, and abrasive, such as in face or body scrubs.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Scrub Agents
|
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!