Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get rid of blackheads, acne scars, and fine lines? Is there a way to renew your complexion and banish dry skin?
You can achieve all these results by using the best microdermabrasion face scrub.
Yet, this raises questions like, “Is microdermabrasion good for your skin?” And perhaps you’re wondering how a microdermabrasion scrub is different from a regular face scrub.
We’ll answer these questions about doing microdermabrasion at home as we review the products below.
What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure performed in a dermatologist’s office. (1) It’s suitable for all skin types and tones as it’s very gentle and requires next to no recovery time.
During the procedure, a machine peppers the skin with very tiny exfoliating particles. It leaves the skin pink, but with immediate improvements. The texture is silky smooth, and discoloration is noticeably faded. By the following day, the patient is fully recovered, but with a more radiant, youthful complexion.
The instantaneous enhancement is followed by long-term benefits. Microdermabrasion thickens collagen to firm the skin: repeated treatments smooth wrinkles and acne scars.
Compare that to dermabrasion, where the doctor must apply a topical anesthetic, then sands the skin raw. It takes days to recover from dermabrasion.
After microdermabrasion, it’s essential to hydrate the skin, wear sunscreen, and skip aggressive treatments like acne medication for at least one day.
How to do microdermabrasion at home
Obviously, microdermabrasion at home isn’t as intense and won’t provide the same dramatic results without repeated treatments.
It can be done with exfoliating devices and/or microdermabrasion face scrub. We’re not talking about scrubs with ground-up walnut shell, and apricot kernels as those are too aggressive.
We mean the same active ingredients used by professionals, like fine mineral particles and exfoliating chemicals like alpha or beta hydroxy acids.
The goal is to exfoliate the skin without causing irritation, redness, and dryness.
Generally, it’s best to apply the microdermabrasion scrub once every other day or once a week if you have sensitive skin. Massage it into the skin gently for a minute or two, then rinse well and apply moisturizer. It’s that easy.
How to choose the best microdermabrasion scrub
Those with oily skin will benefit from beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid as it penetrates oil and unclogs pores. It’s a type of acne medication that prevents breakouts.
Meanwhile, those with dry or sensitive skin will benefit from alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic or glycolic acid. These ingredients dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells for easy exfoliation. At the same time, they moisturize.
In both cases, skip the scrubs with thicker grit and large particles. Look for scrubs with a fine texture from volcanic pumice or silica. They are effective at polishing the skin without scraping it raw. You’ll see our top picks for face scrubs in the reviews below.
Best Microdermabrasion Face Scrub in 2024
Revision Skincare Finishing Touch Microdermabrasion Cream
Here’s one of the best at-home microdermabrasion creams. It’s recommended by dermatologists as it provides excellent results for the money.
Just a note: it’s messy and can stain towels. That’s because it’s based on Polynesian volcanic black sand, freshwater silt, and ultrafine pumice. Yes, you’ll be pampering your face as if you were at a spa in the islands.
But it’s not all about the abrasion. The creamy texture comes from rich shea butter, an outstanding moisturizer packed with vitamins that condition the skin. Thankfully, it’s not greasy, so all skin types can enjoy it.
While you use the cream, it detoxifies and absorbs impurities while it brightens the complexion. Once you rinse it, it leaves the skin soft and moist.
Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant
Have you ever used a Konjac sponge? If so, then you’re familiar with one of the ingredients in this scrub. It contains glucomannan from Konjac because it soaks up excess oil and impurities.
Next, there’s polylactic acid derived from corn starch. This gentle exfoliant dissolves the dead skin to refresh the complexion.
Finally, pink grapefruit imparts plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants to erase discoloration and brighten tone.
DRMTLGY Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub
If you’re on a budget, this is one of the best microdermabrasion scrubs for acne scars. One jar can last for as many as 120 uses. Moreover, it’s made in the USA and paraben-free. Even better, it’s dermatologist-recommended, and it comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
While that sounds good, it gets more exciting when you read the label. The formula is infused with natural ingredients like apple, lemon, and green tea leaf extracts. It feeds your skin the nourishment it needs to look and feel younger.
But the active ingredient is glycolic acid derived from sugarcane. With regular use, it fades fine lines and wrinkles and shrinks pores. It makes blackheads disappear and prevents blemishes. Give it a try if you have acne-prone skin.
Bliss Micro Magic
It will make your skin tingle in a satisfying way. It’s a scrub with peppermint and pumice, plus soothing aloe.
Enjoy it in the morning to wake up in the shower. Massage it into your face for a couple of minutes, then rinse. It’s mild enough to use up to three times per week.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub
This face scrub has the perfect amount of glycolic acid to exfoliate without causing irritation. The tiny molecules penetrate deep into dead skin to encourage cellular turnover.
Next, it has salicylic acid to clear out pores clogged by sebum. It prevents blemishes and clears up breakouts.
Combined with a vibrant grapefruit fragrance, it’s everything you need to renew the complexion.
The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion Exfoliator
Here’s a scrub with exotic ingredients like camu berry, crushed garnet stones, and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana.
The camu berry has 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that brightens skin tone and promotes collagen production to firm texture.
But it’s the ultrafine gemstone particles that remove the dead skin and encourage blood circulation.
Lastly, the shea butter provides nutrients and seals in moisture.
DERMA E Microdermabrasion Scrub
Give yourself a spa-quality treatment with this delicious natural scrub. The energizing scent comes from citrus essential oils that rejuvenate the skin.
There are also Dead Sea salt and volcanic sand to renew the complexion. The blend purifies the skin then jojoba oil softens and seals in hydration.
Reviewers say they see rapid improvement with regards to blackheads, texture, and overall glow.
philosophy microdelivery – vitamin c resurfacing peel
This pleasant gel is a peel-off mask, not a scrub per se. Not only does it resurface the skin without scrubbing, but it also replenishes nutrients.
It removes dead cells and cleanses pores with lactic and salicylic acids. Then, it’s full of vitamin C and peptides to revitalize the skin.
Only one treatment per week will leave you looking refreshed and feeling baby soft.
Touch Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub
How can you get the same exfoliating crystals that dermatologists use for microdermabrasion? Buy this scrub. It features clinical quality alumina crystals with just enough grit to do the job without tearing the skin.
Just like very fine grit sandpaper, the scrub polishes the skin without scratching it. Therefore, it’s safe for all skin types as it’s acid-free and non-comedogenic. The addition of allantoin, green tea, aloe, and chamomile ensures that it’s gentle and soothing.
It’s manufactured in an FDA-inspected and cGMP-compliant facility in the USA. Plus, it comes with a money-back guarantee.
Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish
The most potent scrubs like this one contain physical and chemical exfoliators.
It has professional-grade crystals, glycolic acid, and papaya enzymes. The latter two gently dissolve dead cells and impurities while the crystals sweep away the debris.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
If you’re looking for a gluten-free, vegan product, pause here. It’s also cruelty-free and does not contain parabens.
This gentle yet surprisingly effective scrub is mild enough to use daily. It’s based on rice enzymes and salicylic acid. The phytic acid in the rice bran releases dead skin cells while salicylic acid opens up pores. Users say that the creamy texture melts into the skin.
Then, white tea and licorice balance and tone the complexion while oatmeal and allantoin soothe and remove redness.
RAYA Microdermabrasion Facial Cream
This brand produces products for their chain of spas in the USA. They recommend the scrub for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, but not sensitive complexions.
It contains the same crystals used by dermatologists in microdermabrasion machines. They are suspended in a cream made from safflower oil, fruit enzymes, and herbal extracts.
Reviewers say their face feels velvety soft after using it. They’ve also noticed that their makeup looks better as their skin has improved.
Neutrogena Bright Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish
It’s not surprising that the best drugstore microdermabrasion scrub is made by Neutrogena. They combine mandelic and glycolic acids with cellulose to provide both chemical and physical exfoliation.
The blend is mild enough for delicate skin yet potent enough to develop a brighter complexion after only one use.
Moreover, it’s dermatologist-tested and free of oils and alcohol.
Users recommend using plenty of water to keep it from getting sticky.
Dr. Brandt Skincare Pore Dermabrasion
If your biggest concern is the size of your pores, shrink them with this scrub. It cleanses and removes excess oil and dead skin with the best ingredients from nature blended by science.
Probiotics and papaya work hand-in-hand with fruit extracts and essential oils. They tighten pores and brighten the complexion all at once.
No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Face Exfoliator
This brand adapted professional microdermabrasion techniques for home use. Their scrub has the same aluminum oxide micro crystals as are used in specialized machines. The crystals are suspended in a moisturizing emollient base which leaves the skin silky soft.
After only four treatments, you should clearly see improvements like fewer fine lines, smoother texture, and less discoloration.
Candid Essentials Advanced Microdermabrasion Scrub
We saw many readers complain about the high prices of certain brands. (Rodan + Fields, we’re looking at you.) Why not enjoy similar results from a scrub like this one? It’s nourishing to the skin and free of artificial fragrances, parabens, petrochemicals, and artificial colors.
Use it every other day and watch blackheads disappear. It smooths fine lines and erases age spots, too.
The fine particles of bauxite sweep away dead skin while avocado, grapeseed, and hemp seed oil plump and condition the skin.
Clinicians Complex Microdermabrasion Cream
Would you like to find the same type of product as facialists use in the spa? Then take a look at this scrub as it’s a clinical-grade microdermabrasion cream.
It exfoliates with aluminum oxide crystals, the same as you’d find in a dermatologist’s office. Plus, it moisturizes with glycerin and cucumber while it works.
But it’s the follow-up with arnica, vitamin E, and vitamin C that keeps the complexion healthy.
NeedCrystals Microdermabrasion Crystals
Perhaps you have a face cleanser that you love using. Turn it into a microdermabrasion scrub with these pure aluminum oxide crystals harvested in Brazil and France.
You only need a teaspoon of the high-purity crystals per two tablespoons of your favorite gel, cream, or oil. (Yes, you can mix it with straight coconut or other plant oil).
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Starter Kit
Instead of massaging the scrub with your hands, we recommend trying this microdermabrasion kit. It includes an applicator and a dozen single-use puffs impregnated with ultrafine crystals and purifying ingredients.
In a clinical study, 91% of the users who tried it for the first time had instantly smoother skin. After only a week, 88% could see improvement in fine lines. Then, after a month, they saw that wrinkles and age spots were noticeably diminished.
The applicator runs on two AA batteries, and Neutrogena sells refills of the rejuvenating puffs.
Conclusion
Put down the apricot scrub and the washcloth. It’s time to try microdermabrasion.
It’s kind to the skin and exceptionally good at renewing the complexion.
In only a couple of minutes every other day, you can enjoy the benefits of a microdermabrasion scrub.
If we helped you find your new favorite beauty product today, please come back and tell us about it.
Source:
1. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/microdermabrasion accessed December 10, 2020
