Acure Brightening Facial Scrub 

Like Ren's Rosa Centifolia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser (see my review here), Acure's scrub is another exfoliant-cleanser hybrid.  A great time-saving product for those days when time does not permit you to exfoliate and then cleanse separately. It's formulated with organic sea kelp to exfoliate and French green clay and organic lemon peel to remove impurities from the pores. Organic chlorella growth factor and argan stem cells help stimulate new cell growth, cleanse and brighten the skin. According to Acure, chlorella growth factor ("CGF") is clinically proven to protect collagen and elastin fibers from enzymes that destroy them. I cannot speak to whether a cleanser, which stays in contact with the skin for a short time before it's rinsed off, is an effective vehicle for CGF to penetrate the skin and therefore provide protective benefits.

The CGF claim aside, this is one well-formulated product. The exfoliating particles are dispersed evenly throughout the product, making it easy to get to every inch of your face quickly. It strikes a good balance between remaining gentle but having enough grit to make you realize it's working. And for those of you who like the feeling of a cleanser that foams, this one foams up when you rinse it off. The scent is mild, like mint green tea, and the seaweed particles and green coloring make it fun to use. At $10 for a 4 ounce tube, this is one of the best-priced organic scrubs on the market. 

This company's high standards of efficacy and purity make me feel good every time I purchase an Acure product. The founders are committed to organic farming and environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes. The list of ingredients is impressive and shows that Acure has done its research on what benefits dry skin most.  It is paraben free, gluten free, synthetic fragrance free, silicone free, phthalate free and vegan, and scores a "2" rating on Skin Deep.

 4 Fl oz (US $9.99) Click here to buy.