Top Ten (Cream) Facial Scrubs! (Mama's Best of Beauty 2013)

I'm a firm believer in exfoliating your skin regularly. In fact, I've discovered that for my oily skin, daily exfoliating works wonders! Here are my absolute favorite (cream) facial scrubs from this past year: there are some for every budget and most skin types and issues. {Products sent for review}



Budget Buys: 

St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub and Fresh Face Apricot ($3 each at Target and target.com) - Two of the best, most easily accessible scrubs out there, these St.Ives Apricot Scrubs boast 100% all natural exfoliants. The Blemish Control version features 2% salicylic acid to help gently clean pores, treat present acne, and stop breakouts before the happen. The Fresh Skin version uses Apricot, Corn Kernel Meal, and Walnut to deep clean, leaving skin smooth and glowing. {These are great for anyone - just pick whichever version suits your skin type/needs. It's also great for tweens and teens that are just starting to develop regular skincare routines.}

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub ($7 at Target and target.com) - This affordable option is actually one of my all time favorite scrubs for a few reasons: the refreshing scent, the tingly sensation it gives, and the fact that it foams. {This scrub is best suited for those that have oily/combination acne prone skin, as the foam and salicylic acid may make it to drying for dry to normal skin types}. 

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub ($5.50 fat Target and target.com; originally raved about here) -  This scrub lives in my shower. I'm head over heels for the great cooling/tingling sensation that it provides, as well as the thorough scrub. It is a great follow up for the Biore strips to help keep your pores clean and clear. {This too may be too harsh for all over use on dry to normal skin types, but I think it is a good tool to use to spot treat certain, blackhead/whitehead prone areas, like your nose, chin, or t-zone in general (regardless of your skin type)}.


High End Treats: 

ZENSATION Ultra Silky Rose Exfoliating Cream ($50 at dermstore.com; originally raved about here) - I'm not gonna lie, this has been my every day jam since the moment I received it. Not only is it a gentle yet effective scrub (it utilizes Rosa canina seeds to very gently slough off dead skin cells, smooth texture,  and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by encouraging new cell growth, as well as Vitamin C to support collagen production and neturalize free radicals, while glycerin and sunflower oil moisturize), it is literally luxury in a jar (as it should be for $50, but a little goes a long way so that you get your money's worth). From the luxe, heavy, frosted glass packaging, to the chic little plastic spatula that comes with it for dispensing the product sanitarily- this little gem truly won my heart. {Good for all skin types, gentle enough for daily use on oil skin types, and perfect for those with anti-aging concerns.}

ESPA Refining Skin Polish ($42 at espaskincare.com; originally mentioned here) - Another super luxe scrub, I'm very happy to have in my arsenal - I reach for this when I've neglected my skin a bit or if my complexion is looking a bit dull. Spherical Diatomaceous Earth exfoliate skin to help clear pores, lift impurities, balance uneven tone and stimulate cell renewal, while nourishing Rose Damascena and Shea Butter soften to refine, smooth and revitalize. {Great for all skin types, especially dry, dull and congested skin.}

L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Scrub ( $35 at loccitane.com) - This is my hubby's jam for the shower and before shaving. Its finely ground nutshells help to efficiently eliminate dead skin cells and impurities, while the creamy base, enriched in shea butter (10%) and chestnut extract, helps the skin to maintain its natural moisture level. {This scrub was specially formulated to gently exfoliate dry or very dry skin.}

Exotic Beauties:

Le Couvent des Minimes Face Polishing Cream ($19 at Ulta and ulta.com) - If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that if it's French and rose based, I'm all about it! So it should be no surprise that I love this scrub. It features an original recipe of three beneficial Roses to gently exfoliates the skin without damaging it, boost skin's radiance, and refine skin texture and smooths away imperfection. {Good for all skin types, especially if you need a gentle exfoliator that will not dry out the skin.}

Surya Brasil Sapien Women Facial Scrub ($17 at shopsuryabrasil.com) - This delightfully bright scrub is vegan and all natural and smells out of this world delicious (like the best, sweetest candied citrus you've ever come across)! This one lives in my shower as well and I grab it on those rare occasions I'm able to shower before my littles wake up - it is the next best thing to coffee to get my morning started off right (though it is no replacement for my morning cup of java). Made with Amazonian Organic ingredients 100% natural exfoliants from Coconut bark and organic Buriti, which remove dead cells and impurities. {This beauty is suitable for all skin types.}

nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish ($34 at nyakio.com) - Speaking of coffee, it's the main ingredient in this exotic scrub from nyakio. The formula is actually based on a recipe from the brand founder's (Nyakio) grandmother: she worked on a sustainable coffee farm, and after spending the day outdoors under the sun, she would boil down coffee beans with honey and apply the grounds to her skin using a sugarcane rod to exfoliate and soften her skin. The polish is super smooth and gives instant gratification to the skin. Plus it smells like coffee! {Great for all skin types and gentle enough to use day and night.}

I hope I introduced you to some scrubs that you will try out this year {and I hope that you love them as much as I do}. Did I miss any of your favorites? It's a new year, and I try at least one new scrub a month, so I'm always on the look out for something new! Leave a comment below and let me know what you love and recommend! Until next time...