Exfoliator Review: Dr. Barbara Sturm Facial Scrub

Dr. Barbara Sturm Facial Scrub

Availability: This product retails at $15 for 20 mL or $70 for 100 mL at nordstrom.com, spacenk.com, drsturm.com, bluemercury.com, and macys.com along with their respective physical store locations. You can also purchase this at netaporter.com and shop.goop.com

Would I buy this?: No

Notes: 
According to bluemercury.com:

This refining facial peel removes dry, flaky skin and activates essential skin functions. Vitamin A and purslane, a power-packed active ingredient, promote epidermal regeneration and regulate the keratinization process. The peel also promotes cell renewal, thereby reducing fine lines and improving the appearance of the skin. In addition, Horse Chestnut stimulates the microcirculation and strengthens the blood vessels, while precious silk extracts supply intensive moisture and create an incomparably smooth complexion. The skin is gently calmed, enabling the epidermis to recover with long-lasting effect. The complexion instantly looks more vital, more even and smoother.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Purslane: Has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, astringent, and wound-healing properties.

Almond Peeling Particles: Have anti-oxidant properties due to the high Vitamin E content in almonds. Helps remove dead skin cells. 

Vitamin A: Promotes cell turnover which helps skin's radiance (by having the old skin cells shed) and clarity (by having dead skin cells shed, so they're not clogging the pores). 

Horse Chestnut Extract: Increases skin's hydration by preventing the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. 

Panthenol: Has antioxidant properties. 

Jojoba oil: Is hypoallergenic and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It's also a noncomedogenic oil. 

Shea butter: has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the texture like?

I'd describe the texture as being fine microgranules in a creamy base.

Is this scented?

This doesn't really have much of a scent other than a bit of what I'd describe as that kind of unscented scent that unscented products tend to have. It smells a bit like a clean hotel room or hospital.  

What has my experience with the product been like?

Overall I really like how this is both hydrating and exfoliating at the same time and that it includes ingredients that are anti-inflammatory as the process of exfoliating the skin can be somewhat disruptive and aggravating to the skin itself, causing redness and irritation. That being said though, I think this is just a super pricey creamy scrub and I'm sure I can find something similar for much less. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. 

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes, I am under no obligation to mention it on this blog.