Scrub those imperfections away! (Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Refiner)

Member Name: Mrs-LT

Product:	Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Refiner
Date:	27/02/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely soft scent, pleasant to use, gives smooth skin

Disadvantages: Pricey

I think the best thing to do is get the price of this product out of the way immediately....50mls will set you back a horrific £20.55! However, don't despair - this is only to be used every 7-10 days so 50mls of this will last 7-10 times as long as a daily exfoliator. Don't look at the tiny tube and think it will only last 5 minutes because I can guarantee as long as you don't use it more than is recommended - why would you? - it will last a decent amount of time.

You can buy it at Clarins counters which are located in department stores such as Fenwick and House of Fraser. I buy mine at Fenwick as I find their stuff to be much more friendly and helpful, whereas at House of Fraser their sole aim seems to be selling you as mnay products as possible whether they suit your skin or not.

This product is suitable for all skin types and it is so gentle that even the most sensitive skin should be fine with it. Normally I prefer a harsh exfoliator (by which I mean one with lots of large grains) so I expected to hate this when I was first advised to try it as it is super gentle but I was very pleasantly surprised. The product itself is very rich and creamy and the exfoliating grains are so tiny you can hardly feel them, so it feels similar to a cleanser really. However, in this case small definately is mighty as it leaves my skin feeling smoother than all of the other less gentle exfoliators I previously tried.

It is described by Clarins as a rich, creamy exfoliator with skin-polishing and refining microspheres which reveals a clearer and smoother complexion. It:
-thoroughly removes impurities
-refines skin's texture
-enhances natural cellular renewal
-optimises the benefits of complementary products
-is formulated with 2 types of microspheres for maximum beauty benefits.

Obviously some of these things you cannot really qualify through use (I can't tell you it enhanced my natural cellular renewal for instance), but I can say my skin felt softer, smoother and lighter after use. As with all of the Clarins products I have tried, this is another that works exactly as it says it will.

One thing I must say is that you MUST cleanse skin thoroughly after using this. It draws impurities to the surface and if you just rinse it off rather than cleansing properly, these can lie on the skin and develop into horrible spots. So cleanse, cleanse, cleanse afterwards! Following with toner is sufficient although I personally like to cleanse as well. But either way, DO NOT just slap your moisturiser on the top, as the results will not be pretty.

You apply it onto damp skin with light, circular movements - although it is a scrub you should not be scrubbing your face with it!

This product has a gorgeous, mild smell. It is difficult to describe as it is not flowery or fruity - it just smells soft and creamy to be honest but it is a lovely scent.

The active ingredients it contains are:
-Exfoliating micro spheres which lift all impurities, dead surface skin cells and excess sebum and cleanse pores;
-Refining microspheres which enhance the action of the exfoliating grains and refine the epidermis;
-Butcher's Broom extract which stimulates microcirculation, decongests and brightens;
-Mimosa Tenuiflora extract which softens and soothes.

I think this is a brilliant exfoliator and its gentle feeling covers a deeper effectiveness. It certainly disproves my previously-held belief that you can really feel the best exfoliators working on your skin.

Summary: Definately one worth buying