‘Blessed’ with oily combination skin, my pores are enlarged around T-zone. Unfortunately, pore size is genetically determined, so there’s not much I can do to change it. What I can do, instead, is to make pores appear smaller.
When pores are clogged up with oil and dead skin cells, they swell beyond their genetically determined size and thus, look larger. To prevent this from happening, I need to exfoliate my skin regularly.
Exfoliation is an important step in my skincare routine: the process removes dead skin cells, thus improving the appearance of the skin immediately, which then looks smoother and clearer. Regular exfoliation (recommended twice a week for oily combination skin) funtions primarily for me to keep the pores unclogged, hence preventing sebum buildup, thus keeping acne and blackheads/whiteheads at bay.
Exfoliation will also help in lightening of acne scars – which is why I am adding exfoliation as part of my weekly skin care routine in the first place. The exfoliation process also allows the active ingredients in skincare products to penetrate the skin better afterwards.
Due to my philosoply “SAVE on those you wash off” I was not willing to spend too much on my exfoliation products. After reading forum discussions on Scrub and Masks, I intend to use drug store brands first as I am not willing to splurge yet hence I explore the skincare sections in Guardian and Watson’s.
On MakeUpAlley app on iPhone, it seems that the most popular (by review count) scrub was the Apricot Scrub by St.Ives and the Avocado & Oatmeal clay mask by Freeman. However, I’ve read reviews on the forums that the St.Ives Scrub might be too harsh as the beads are rough. On the other hand, the Freeman mask’s tub is quite huge – obviously value for money, but what if I did not like it? These two, while popular, seems to be on the lower end side and I am extremely cautious, especially for my face care.
And so I venture through the selection of brands until I came across Simple as the individual items were within my budget (SGD$10-20 max per item) and as it is marketed “perfect for even sensitive skin” ~ I was sold. As exfoliation on acne prone skin can be a bit tricky, may cause more harm than good, my philosophy in picking skincare products for the very first time (for exfoliation purposes and in general) is to try the gentle version first (formulated for sensitive skin), then upgrade to more potent ones after.
Simple Kind to Skin Range: NO PERFUME, NO COLOUR, NO UNNECESSARY INGREDIENTS so it won’t upset your skin. Dermatologically tested and approved.
Product Claims:
Kind To Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub = SGD$12
“Our Smoothing Facial Scrub is a perfect blend of ingredients to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin brighter and more even textured. Perfect for even sensitive skin. Our special blend of Simple cleansing goodness containing Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Rice Granules, helps to gently exfoliate and improve skin condition.”
Kind To Skin Deep Cleansing Face Mask = SGD$12
“Our Deep Cleansing Face Mask is a perfect blend of ingredients to draw out deep down dirt and eliminate dead skin cells. Perfect for even sensitive skin. Our special blend of Simple cleansing goodness containing Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Bisabolol, Natural Clay and Seaweed Extracts, helps to gently cleanse and exfoliate helping to improve skin condition.”
Simple Kind to Skin Facial Scrub & Face Mask
Simple Kind to Skin Facial Scrub & Face Mask
Simple Kind to Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub
Texture: whitish cream with gel consistency, containing very fine beads. I use it on my damp face after I cleansed my face and pat dry with towel. Massage in circular motion, upward and outward direction. One 75ml tub last me 4-5 months with twice a week usage.
Smell: fresh with a hint of minty lemon smell.
Verdict: After I massage my face with the scrub and rinsed, I felt as if I just double cleansed my face. There was no significant WOW effect that I felt, which I attribute to the fact that this scrub is too gentle for my preference. I am not a waster, so I use this until the very last drop.
Simple Kind to Skin Deep Cleasing Face Mask
Texture: whitish cream clay mask that does not dry up. Lasted me 5-6months with twice a week usage.
Smell: faint pleasant natural smell.
Verdict: At first I applied too much product on my face and I was like, “3 minutes – impossible!” I waited for 15 minutes for it to dry up but it never did. In the end I just washed it off. Subsequently, I used lesser amount of the product and the mask sinks into the skin within 5-7 minutes but did not dry up, does not make my face feel tight at all. After the mask sinks in, I slowly massage water to dissolve the mask before completely washing it off. After I rinsed my face, WOW, my face is super smooth and supple.
I like the mask more as a hydrating mask instead of deep cleansing mask to refine my pores. I felt that I need a clay mask that does dry up for that deep cleansing I am after.
Admittedly, the Simple mask is a gentle mask, great for hydrating and cleansing sensitive skin.
However, as with my general pleasant experience (no irritation) with the two Simple exfoliation products, they are of good value yet too gentle for me, hence the not so significant effect that will prompt me to rush out and repurchase again.
The only other review I could find: by Nadya and Yvonne.
Until my next review =)
Always Happening 