Fashion
11 Exfoliating Face Washes (Without Microbeads) That Are Great For Your Skin
Lately, face washes have been causing one hell of a ruckus. After studies started to surface in February that seemed to prove the microbeads in your exfoliator might not be so great for the environment, a few states started pulling together bills that could ban the plastic particles altogether.
Now, it appears that New York and Illinois will imminently outlaw microbeads, which would force some brands to pull or reformulate products. Fear not! Your skin can still be perfectly exfoliated. Check out these 11 glow-inducing face washes that are totally in the clear.
Image: Ashley Batz/Bustle Stock Photo
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish
Shea nut shell powder and willow bark extract naturally brighten up your visage.
Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion Cleanser
This cleanser is packed with sodium bicarbonate, which exfoliates without any plastic beads. It’s especially effective when used with a facial brush or washcloth.
Olay Pro-X Miccrodermabrasion Advanced Cleansing System Refill, $11, Amazon
LUSH Polenta Scrub
Easily the yummiest-smelling cleanser on the list, this one is all-natural, with exfoliating ingredients like maize flour, corn meal and cinnamon. Plus, it has corn oil to keep your skin hydrated.
Yes To Carrots Cleanser
On the other hand, if strong scents make you feel a little queasy, try this super gentle, fragrance-free cleanser instead.
Yes To Carrots Fragrance Free Exfoliating Cleanser, $8, Amazon
Murad Exfoliating Cleanser
The beads in this scrub are made from jojoba, nature’s superstar exfoliator. It also has salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids to help dissolve dry, dead skin cells.
St. Ives Mask & Scrub
I tend to get overly excited about 2-in-1 products, and this guy is no exception. You can use it as an exfoliating scrub, but the oatmeal makes for a seriously moisturizing mask if you leave it on a few extra minutes.
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Jojoba beads strike again! The alpha-hydroxy acid in this wash has big exfoliating power, too.
Burt's Bees Peach Scrub
Finely ground peach stone and salicylic acid-packed willow bark help this scrub leave your skin soft and acne-free.
Burt’s Bees Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub, $10, Amazon
The Body Shop Vitamin E Cleanser
The Body Shop’s Vitamin E collection is one of my favorites. This super creamy cleanser doesn’t even feel like a scrub, but has ingredients like jojoba and glycerin to help turn over dead skin cells.
Kiehl's Fruit Exfoliatior
Any skincare made with fruits and veggies automatically gets points in my beauty book. The papaya enzyme in Kiehl’s version of a microbead-free cleanser gently dissolves dry skin, instead of scrubbing it off.
Origins Ginseng Cleanser
In addition to the awesome exfoliating power all the washes in this slideshow share, this one also has energizing ginseng, so it’s basically like an espresso shot for your face.
