Manuka Doctor ApiClear Purifying Facial Scrub

Where I got it: I have been a long-time user of Manuka Doctor products and my favourite would have to be their ApiClear Purifying Facial Peel and ApiNourish Repairing Skin Cream. This was sent to me as a PR sample. This is RRP $29.95.

What I got: This is a 100ml tube of Manuka Doctor ApiClear Purifying Facial Scrub. ApiClear Purifying Facial Scrub is a gentle facial exfoliant that buffs away dead skin cells and reduces oil, leaving skin looking and feeling smooth, soft and luminous. Using silica-rich Bamboo Stem Extract as a natural alternative to ocean-polluting plastic microbeads, this gel scrub polishes skin and removes impurities for a visibly refined, resurfaced and brightened complexion. Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract and Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract actively fight blackheads and spots, prevent blockages of the sebaceous gland and help to reduce inflammation of the skin, Lentil Extract provides long lasting control of excess sebum and helps to minimise the appearance of pores. Rounded out with Vitamin C and beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) rich Dragon Fruit Extract, which helps to reduce the risk of oxidative damage, this scrub is a powerful skin-balancing tool.

How I find it: This is a gel-based facial scrub uses silica-rich Bamboo Stem Extract as a natural alternative to ocean-polluting plastic microbeads. I recently threw out a couple of Biore and Clearasil facial scrubs I bought a while ago because they are full of plastic beads that will never biodegrade and harm sea animals. It’s great to have products with natural alternatives that are environmentally friendly. After cleansing, I use about a 10cent coin size (see below) and massage it all over my damp skin then rinse off. The gel base of this gentle scrub makes the beads glide on easily without being scratchy on the skin, and it rinses off easily. I can easily use this every 2-3 days.

Overall: This stuff smells very nice and very strong too as I can smell it even from the box and long after I’ve washed it off. If you are not a fan of the scent or of fragrance, then you might want to avoid this. However, the fragrance did not create any irritation on my face and it is a pleasant scent (not the manuka oil scent which not everybody loves). I love the texture of this scrub, use a little bit more and you have a good gel base for that cushioned feeling on your skin so you don’t scrub too hard. The beads are not at all rough so they feel nice on the skin anyway. After washing off, my face feels clean and smooth, but just slightly tight which is nothing a good hydrating toner or moisturiser can’t handle. Overall, I really like the ApiClear range for my combination/oily skin and I like to alternate with the Facial Peel.

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