Exfolikate

Exfolikate by Kate Somerville

As we age, changes take place in the dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin which effectively slow down the natural exfoliation process in the epidermis. Dead cells pile up, leaving the surface scaly, discolored, and dull.  Exfoliation serves an important function - to help get rid of that dead layer of skin.  Exfolikate by Kate Somerville is a dual action scrubbing and enzymatic exfoliant.

Designed to be used once or twice per week, Exfolikate contains:

• Salicylic Acid to balance hydration
• Scrubbing Microbeads and three powerful P’s - Papaya, Pineapple, and Pumpkin Enzymes - to effectively clean pores.
• Rosewood and Cinnamon Extracts to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Aloe Vera, Honey, and Vitamin E to smooth and soften skin. 

After applying to a cleansed but still wet face, you massage for about 30 seconds and then let sit for 2 minutes, although I've left it on for twice that long before.  You can actually feel it tingling, enough so that I wouldn't want to leave it on for too long.  After rinsing, I do see a visible difference in my skin.  It's smoother, softer, and my pores look smaller. 

I originally got some samples of Exfolikate from Sephora and was impressed enough to buy a full sized version, even at its hefty price.  How hefty you ask?  Enough that I thought long and hard about it and waited until Sephora had their Friends and Family 20% off sale to take the plunge.

Cost:
.5 oz tube is $19,
2 oz is $85
5 oz is $175

I bought four of the .5 oz tubes, as that got me the same amount as the 2 oz tube but at $76 vs. $85.   I've used one full tube over a 3 month period, so 2 oz should last me a year.

While the ingredients are chock full of natural sounding ingredients, I'm also seeing parabens (used as a preservative), which is not so good.  According to EWG's Skin Deep Database, parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.  Most of the parabens listed below have a risk rating of 5, which is moderate.  Some of the essential oils listed could also be irritants to some, so that is something to be aware of.  Versions for both sensitive skin and acne are available as well.

Despite the negatives of it's price and a few questionable ingredients, I'm liking Exfolikate!

Ingredients:Water, Lactic Acid, Polyethylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pectin, Carica Papaya Fruit, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Papain, Bromelain, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Honey, Acetic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Salicylic Acid, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cinnamal, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Beta-Carotene (CI 75130), Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810).