MBP vs PGP
There are two types of products that I wish to review here. I call them the: MBP (mass brand products) & the PGP (Professional Grade Products).
MBP are the products that can be purchased at the drug store, beauty boutiques such as Sephora, even cosmetic counters like the ones you can find at the large department stores like The Bay/Macy's and of course, Walmart.
PGP are products that you will find only within spa's, dermatology offices, specialty shops, or online and are available to persons of profession.
The reason that it is broken down in this way is so that way you can understand marketing differences, price range, POV (as I am an esthetician) and accessibility. Listed Below are my reviews. They are personal and are meant to be used as a guideline. Unless stated other wise the list that follows is not a recommendation. Personal discretion is advised.
The Reviews
MBP or PGP: MBP
Name: Naturally Clear - Green tea cleanser
Company: Unilever
Available at: Drugstores/Walmart
Retail Price: est. 8.50
Scent: Light. Green tea is not over-powering
Texture: Thin gel
Skin Type: Oily
Claims: Fight's blemishes and heals
- 100% Naturally Sourced Extracts
- Paraben Free
- Oil Free
- Contains Salicylic Acid
- Dermatologist Tested
- Hypoallergenic
Note worthy ingredients: Salicylic Acid
Cruelty Free?: No
Pro's:
-Pleasant scent
- Great even as a spot treatment
-It worked for me
-Nice texture and lather
- attractive price point
Con's:
-A little too drying for my skin (even at the time)
- Salicylic doesn't work on everybody so it cannot be 100% guaranteed for everybody.
- No toner to re-balance this product
Notes: I recommend obtaining a hydrating toner for another skin care line to accompany this product.
Would you recommend it?: Yes, to anyone with true oily skin and acne breakouts. Either as an all-over treatment or a spot treatment.
Name: Blemish control apricot scrub
Company: Unilever
Available at: Drugstores/Walmart
Retail Price: 6.50
Scent: Light/fresh
Texture: Gritty (Manual exfoliant)
Skin Type: Oily
Claims: Fights blemishes and helps to stop breakouts before they occur.
- 100% Naturally Derived Exfoliants
- Paraben Free
- Oil Free
- Contains Salicylic Acid
- Dermatologist Tested
- Hypoallergenic
Cruelty Free?: No
Pro's:
- Salicylic acid which is a BHA, promotes cell turnover allowing healing, doesn't promote photo-sensitivity, a naturally derived exfolliant (willow tree bark).
- attractive price point
- Nice scent
- oil free as glycerin is not an oil
- glycerin is an amazing ingredient that restores hydration and elasticity slowing the process of wrinkles, non-toxic and naturally occurring, great for sensitive skin and wont cause irritation, excellent for people with psoriasis and eczema, locks in moisture.
Con's:
- only contains 1% salicylic acid
- It's source of exfoliation while from a natural source (sand), is irregular shaped and the granules are too large. Thus, it leaves you highly prone to micro-tearing of the follicle. This can give the appearance of red bumps that is usually mistaken for acne. These micro-tears can become infected.
- Olive oil can give you more acne as it is mildly comedogenic, traps in dead skin, bacteria and daily pollutants. While squalene IS absorbent olive oil isn't as readily absorbed. Read this PDF regarding the functionality of squalene when utilized in proper formulation. Squalene
- The silica makes this more of a manual exfoliant (as the 'chemical exfoliliant aspect is only 1%) is far more irritating to acne than any other type of exoliant on the market.
- Too much alcohol's in this product.
- I found this product to be too dehydrating for me
Notes: Take this product and use it on the rest of your body, on dry patches of skin.
Would you recommend it?: No. While this product contains glycerine, this products feature is exfoliation. If this was a moisturizer the recommendation would be different. 1% BHA isn't enough for me and St. Ives uses silica's and or shell powders. Both are not good to be grating against the skin. I do however recommend a chemical exfoliator, a powdered exfoliator or one that contains jojoba beads.
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