Apricot Scrub

Most people buy apricot scrub from pharmacies, so you can just go with difference in quality mass market vs. professional grade products. Mass market 3% of active ingredients and a lot of fillers, preservatives and another heavy stuff... Prof. grade a high % of active ingredients, which more safe and professional designed to bring out visible results. Don't forget to mention that over exfoliation with physical exfoliants like apricot etc can cost skin irritation and even more serious problems like dermatitis, because irritated and broken skin is free invitation for bacteria to get in and cause inflammation...
Go with - "if you want to be safe use prof. grade products in case when you don't know what else to say....

Thank You so much, you certainly helped me touch base on this topic....

it can also overstimulate oil glands, ive always been told apricot scrub was a big no no

Me as well, I've heard no about that product. I used it though when I was in high school, it seems that alot of the teen crowd use it just because they are miss informed. The harder you scrub and more often the better, that's why I used it. I had grade 2 acne and I was really desperate for improvements. I found that it actually caused more acne and inflammation and stopped using the stuff within a couple days. I prolly didn't help but that's my experience with that product.

ya it can actually scrach the skin accutane is best for 1,2,3 grade acne

Accutane? Oh my God... It's LAST choice - if nothing else working. It has so many side effect that better take same amound if poison everyday. Plus if it's doesn't work there nothing after that you can do.

You are right, the apricot scrub has chopped up walnuts cutting up the skin and getting lodged in the pores. A few options are using an enzyme mask or a scrub with a well rounded bead.

Apricot scrub uses crushed APRICOT pits (not walnut shells) as the exfoliant -- thus the name: APRICOT SCRUB.
The reason that it is not to be recommended to anyone, regardless of skin type or condition, is that the crushed pits microscopically tear the skin.

Geez, I have been using this product for YEARS!

Everyone always tells me how nice my skin looks and how young I look for my age.
I even use a alpha-hydroxy lotion right after.
Maybe my skin is just thicker than most?

I have never had any problems with this product. In fact, I couldn't do without it!

This product MICROSCOPICALLY tears the skin -- that means you CANNOT SEE the damage that is being done! You may be too young to see the damage NOW, but it will eventually show. It's OK to use a scrub, in face it is recommended that you do, but choose one which doesn't use ground up pits! Try something with Jojoba bead, or something else that it entirely spherical. You'll be glad later on that you did. And a scrub should only be used no more than 3 times a week.

Hmm, I see your point.
Is there any on the market that you recommend?

Now I'm worried!

MD Formulations and PCA both have scrubbs with spherical beads. I prefer the PCA Gentle Exfoliant.

Hi everyone, just discovered this forum. Can't tell how active it is, as the dates of posts are not listed..

I would hope everyone will stop using this on their face now!!! If your clients really enjoy that deep scrubbing feeling, recommend that they put sugar in their daily cleanser maybe once or twice a week. Sugar is naturally round and as much as they scrub, it will not cause any harm to the skin and they will get the feeling they are looking for. Your clients will be happy because sugar is cheap and maybe they will be able to spend a little bit of money on something better for their face rather then apricot scrub!!!

You are not the only one with clients that use the apricot scrub! I have found out that a lot of people use it, and it's too harsh on the skin. I have mentioned it to cleints and they have either bought an exfoliant that I sell or have purchased something over the counter that they can afford.

Oh my...stop having them use Apricot Scrub its the worst. As everyone else has mentioned all the damage it causes on your skin. I use an amazing product called CRYSTAL BALL from Beauty Society (formerly known as Intuit Beauty) This product is made with volcanic microcrystals, green tea extract, chamomile, licorice and an array of exotic oils. If you care for any samples or would like to order any, please contact me or see my website.

Anna
www.aritten.intuitbeautydiva.com
alritten@yahoo.com
612-272-7657

I was told from the time I became an esthetican that St.Ives Apricot Scrub is for your feet not your face! However, I started to practice and learned that so much of the public use it. So I decided to do a little reasearch. There are no Apricots in it. It must have been an original formula that did. St. Ives must have realized this and changed their formula. Because if you read the back it has corn kernal meal (Same as Dermalogica's Scrub). Corn kernal meal is your grit/scrub. And apricot extract keeps customers believing it is the natural scrub of an apricot. I would never put the stuff on my face. Esthetician have to work with their client and if they like it, just make sure it's not damanging their skin. A woods lamp can see if it is. Some skins can take it (but not for long). Don't run your client off. Work with them. Find out when their getting close to the end of the bottle and then turn them on to something better.

I actually think the walnut pits in it are what impale the skin and cause tiny abrasions which will leave the skin open to infection and scarring. It is best to advice your clients not to use this product on their face and if they aren't able to stop using it then they should know that it causes these effects. And any time they exfoliate they should never scrub too hard and only once a week. I honestly know that there are so many other great products out there that provide great results. It is all about educating your clients, they should trust us and our opinions.

I use to use this product a long time ago and have learned recently that Under a microscope this exfoliant looks like broken shards of glass and can do much harm to the face. For an everyday gentle facial scrub I would sugest Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant or if you prefer an granular feel Dermalogia's skin prep scrub is good as well I like the daily microfoliant for my face.

Sugar is not spherical, it's crystal-like. It's recommended for body scrubs, NOT face scrubs. See picture in link for sugar shape... www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar.html.

I think you guys are full of crap and just want to make more money selling "professional" products that work the same or WORSE than inexpensive things like apricot scrub. I have been using it for years and it keeps my skin smooth, firm, and acne free. When I stop using it, my skin starts to look dull and dingy and I break out. There may be more "gentle" exfoliants that are better to use, but I really do not believe the scrub will hurt you unless you are rubbing it in with sandpaper! Even if nut-shell scrubs cause these oh so terrifying "microscopic tears"...so what? Skin heals! I only wish the skin on the rest of my body looked as good as the skin on my face!

Sara in Deerfield
Thanks! My instructor had told me that sugar was round and now that I have done some research, you are right, it is not!! Thanks for informing me, I appreciate it!!

Lets see your face in 20 years!

You are right, go ahead and keep using what you want. And don't about aging either, over the counter products work magic on dull lifeless skin. All estheticians are full of crap-

abi in Denver, Colorado said: You are right, go ahead and keep using what you want. And don't about aging either, over the counter products work magic on dull lifeless skin. All estheticians are full of crap-

If you're not an esty, who are you talking about when you said you "have many clients that are using Apricot scrub?"

abi in Denver, Colorado said: I have many clients that are using Apricot scrub and I need to know why they should try other products. I know that the walnut shells cause tiny rips on the surface of the skin. Is there any other things that anybody can offer me on this product?

Thank you.

I appreciate your concern. While I have not had good results using Apricot Scrub on my face, I find that using it on my feet, followed by a rinse, towel, and Aspercreme, helps me sleep after a long day's work on my feet. I highly recommend it for that purpose. Please try it before you knock it.

abi in Denver, Colorado said: All estheticians are full of crap-

Wow abi,
I'm an esthetician. I guess you're saying that I am full of crap. Would you like to compare knowledge?

Consider this:

I am an esthetician.
There are points that you may find that I agree with you.
If I am full of crap, then wouldn't agreeing with you make you full of crap as well?

This board is so NEGATIVE and mean-spirited. Obviously you non-professionals are not here to learn about proper sking care from licensed professionals. So, in all sincerity, I wish you the best of luck with your skin; as for me, I won't be returning to this board. Ever.

I'm still quite young and I stopped using this product awhile ago, but I just heard about the damage that it does. Is the damage lasting? I'm getting really worried now.

Anonymous in Ann Arbor, Michigan said: I'm still quite young and I stopped using this product awhile ago, but I just heard about the damage that it does. Is the damage lasting? I'm getting really worried now.

A scrub is so important to use in taking great care of your skin. And yes, you have to watch the products that you purchase. I have a really great product created by the same doctors that created Proactiv. If you want some advice, I am happy to healp. If not, do be careful what you use.

i am really thankful that i found this site. this is my third time using st ives apricot scrub and this time it really has my face in a mess. the second time i tried the product a friend reassured me that it has to break my face out before it clears it. so this last time i bought it and decided to give it a chance for my face to clear up. but im so tired waking up each day feeling a new sore spot on my face. i think i will stop it for good this time. any other recommendations? i really dont get acne/pimples unless i use a scrub. sometimes i see my friends using all sorts of stuff on theirs so it makes me worried that im not taking proper care of my skin. any information would be well received

Apricot scrub is a exfoliant for the body not the face!! If you are prone to break outs try a cleanser for your skin type and if it oily try one with clay in it to pull out the oils. also a clay mask weekly will help. there are lots of great spot treatments for the occasional spot. There are great esthtics school in all areas you should check out your nearest on and get in for a skin analysis!

I used the apricot scrub in the past with no problem, BUT this time around I have ended up with severe abrasions to my cheek bone and chin areas. The area is slightly irritated but it you look closely you can see all the abrasions. No more apricot scrub for me. I formely used BUT NEVER AGAIN. Face hurts as an skin look horrible.

I'm 31. About a year ago, before using this scrub people were shocked that I was not in my mid-twenties. Now they are shocked that I'm so actually so young. I now look about 38 (really!-I've asked random people my age-estimate on the street)! BTW I used it once or twice a day and scrubbed quite hard, thinking the more you exfoliate the better. No irritation but a lot of emotional pain.

I think this online doctors can kill people

I just bought the apricot exfoliant scrub and now my Dave reels really hot and looks pretty red! I just read all the replies in this forum and not too sure what to think now... Some people swear by it, others think it's the worst! Guess I will see how it looks and feels tomorrow and post again about the day after effects!

Niki123 in Prince George, British Columbia said: I just bought the apricot exfoliant scrub and now my Dave reels really hot and looks pretty red! I just read all the replies in this forum and not too sure what to think now... Some people swear by it, others think it's the worst! Guess I will see how it looks and feels tomorrow and post again about the day after effects!

Oops I meant my skin feels not Dave reels

Niki123 in Prince George, British Columbia said: Oops I meant my skin feels not Dave reels

What you're feeling is inflammation. Redness, swelling, heat and pain. It's not a good thing my dear.

My esthetitcian AND dermatologist actually recommended me to continue using this scrub
I'm worried after reading the reviews on here about it.
Do you guys reccommend any other scrubs that have spherical grains but are similar to the St ives scrubs in texture?
All the other scrubs don't seem to scrub my skin as well. They are either too gentle or abrasive.

I can not emphasise it enough, MANUAL EXFOLIATORS GOT THE DEVIL IN THEM. i've learned and actually seen skin that has been over scrubbed, nay, SCRAPED, with such scrubs like apricot scrub or the "more gentle" sugar scrub. Any scrub with gritty texture, even joboba beads, should never be used on acneic skin, as it stimulates and irritates. We do need to exfoliate our skin, removing those dead skin cells is very important to having a smooth and clear face, chemical exfoliants are the key to lifelong healthy skin and thank god more and more companys are offering these types of exfoliants.

Anything you get over counter that says "peel" will exfoliate your skin, and don't worry it won't actually make you peel because that can only be done by your esthetician. These over the counter peels will contain AHAS like 10% glycolic (most common), lactic acid, papaya enzyme... Sometimes essential oils like citrus oils (these feel stronger, not for sensitive skin) Etc. these peels can be used once a week to even once a day if you don't experience irritation.

I use clarins bright plus Peel once a day before washing with dermalogica gentle cleanser. I really recomment dermalogica daily microfoliant, or Olay minipeel. I'm 27, my skin is ageless, i have better skin now than I did at 20 i even look younger now! Strangers are always asking me if i'm still in high school lol... I've suffered horrible skin in the past and have litterally tried everything, eventually I was so drawn into the industry and skin chemistry, that I became an esthetician.

Estheticians aren't full of crap - we want people to have beautiful, healthy skin and confidence. We'll tell you the over the counter alternatives if you cannont afford professional products. We just want the misinformed, clueless consmers to stop using this scrub crap and start wearing sunscrean!!

Sana in Kingston, Ontario said: My esthetitcian AND dermatologist actually recommended me to continue using this scrub
I'm worried after reading the reviews on here about it.
Do you guys reccommend any other scrubs that have spherical grains but are similar to the St ives scrubs in texture?
All the other scrubs don't seem to scrub my skin as well. They are either too gentle or abrasive.

Why don't these scrub your skin well enough, is it the feeling you are looking for, or do you have a very thick skin? The reason the st. Ives texture is so bad is because you get micro tears n your skin, which break your elastic and open up for bacteria. Maybe you can try a skin peel, like a salicylic, or glycolic, to chemically remove the outer layers of dead skin. These are light peels, so you don't actually peel but may experience flakiness for a few days. These peels make a noticible difference in skin tone a quality. I would then recommend olay minipeel exfoliator, or PCA ski PHaze exfoliator. Both feel gentler than apricot scrub, but will work so much better for your skin as they contain glycolic acid and are PH BALANCED. Doing a skin peel will give you a fresh start! I don't knw what you mentin to your derm/esty but I can not believe they tell you to keep using apricot scrub and not mention about the benefits of a peel or cemically exfoliating...

Thanks for your informative response! I'm definately going to be throwing the st. ives away and buying something that will chemically exfoliate my skin.. How's the olay minipeel? Does it help in reducing the look of acne scars and discoloration? And what else do you recommend to reduce acne scars? I use a toner with glyolic acid ( proactiv toner apparently has 6% glyolic acid) and i use the Neutrogena Acne stess control power scrub. I was previously using the st. ives scrub 2x a day.. i know. Its horrible but i thought it was actually beneficial for my skin thanks to my my dermatologists recommendations ! Definately changing my dermatologist now..

** glycolic

Most exfoliants with small granules were too rough on my dry skin. I got a professional facial to help with my dry skin and they recommended the Made from Earth Rooibos Tea Face Scrub that will dissolve dry skin without being so rough. Of course they wanted me to purchase an incredibly expensive product, but I decided to do some looking on my own.

I settled on this Made from Earth Rooibos Scrub and have been very pleased. I can use it daily without it being too harsh on my skin. Even using it daily or every other day, the product has lasted a while (bought it in mid-August and still going here at Thanksgiving). It smells pleasant and feels soothing on my skin.