What is a good facial scrub?

[neostyles]

I am starting to suspect that my shaves could be improved even more by cleaning up my my mug. I am looking for something that has a manly look, works well, and isn't overly expensive. What would you recommend?

[gearchow]

For myself, I have found that facial scrubs can be too much of a good thing. I have a couple of stiff and scritchy brushes that I feel really gives my face a nice massage and I suspect, cleansing.

But as far as facial scrubs, you probably won't find any better then the products that women use. Just transfer it to a more manly container. :001_smile

Besides, going to the Macys or Nordstroms women's sections is always a simple pleasure.

-jim

[rickcharles606]

Hey guy, my wife works for Clinique and they have a fantastic men's product line. I use their Facial Scrub & Shave Prep about 3 times a week. I've tried a bunch of other facial scrubs, but this one isn't too rough and is unscented, so it doesn't clash with your shave soap, etc.

The rest of their shave products are actually pretty good too, they make an aloe shave gel, that I use to make an uberlather occasionally. Also, they have an after shave gel with witch hazel that's pretty good, but I prefer aftershave splash with alcohol. All are worth a shot, good luck :)

[gearchow]

"Clinique", I was trying to think of that brand. And they do target men these days, don't they?

-jim

[rickcharles606]

"Clinique", I was trying to think of that brand. And they do target men these days, don't they?

-jim

Oh yeah, they target us for certain. I am a bit biased though, because they are my wife's employer, but their products are created under the guidance of dermatologists and undergo rigorous allergy testing before a product hits the market. My SWMBO just told me that the number of tests is 7200 per product. She also adds that Clinique is the only line that "actually" tests, while other company might claim hypo-allergenic, they don't actually run the tests.

Crap..now she's talking my ear off about Clinique, LMAO

[kend]

Go with "St. Ives Apricot Scrub". Pleasant scent. Like rubbing your face with wet sand, which I believe is good....you want to feel the grains. Very invigorating! :yesnod:

[dpm802]

I've tried a few face-scrub products, and find they are generally too rough and gritty for me. Any good face soap will do just as well, without leaving my skin feeling raw.

A few months ago, I was treated to a demo facial using Billy Jealousy products. The first product that the salesgirl put on was called "Liquid Sand" and that's just what it felt like. I was grimacing and twisting up my face right from the start, because it flat-out HURT. No matter what else she put on afterwards, that initial scrub brought down the whole experience.

The best face scrubs I've found contain Oatmeal. This does a great job of exfoliation without the pain.

No matter what you use, I'd recommend against using it every day. Once a week should be more than enough for most skin types and environments.

[KWyKJJ]

L'Oreal 360 clean deep exfoliating scrub. I stole this from my fiance after she convinced me to test it out first. Mine now and it is by far my favorite. You have probably seen the commercials or seen it in the store. It has this little rubber scrubber attached to the bottle that you pop out. This stuff is glorious. It has microbeads which do the scrubbing but don't shred your face and it has salicylic acid. My shaves have never been better.

[kzoo1]

Not a "scrub", but many here swear by Noxzema. I have been using it to good effect as well.
Makes a great preshave as well as cleaning your mug.

[maxman]

I like the Nutrogena products myself.
Don't be afraid to use products geared to women.
There's some good stuff there, you just have to mind the scents.

You don't want to smell lilke perfume.

[gsurko]

Go with "St. Ives Apricot Scrub". Pleasant scent. Like rubbing your face with wet sand, which I believe is good....you want to feel the grains. Very invigorating! :yesnod:

+1 Cheap too.

[CharlieTN]

I've been using the Real Shaving Co facial scrub and really like it. Has a good scent and leaves my face very slick. It doesn't take very much either. Check Rite-aid.

Charlie

[KeithS]

Go with "St. Ives Apricot Scrub". Pleasant scent. Like rubbing your face with wet sand, which I believe is good....you want to feel the grains. Very invigorating! :yesnod:
I have to put the lid back on the tub of this stuff EVERY time in the bathroom. My teenage daughters use this daily and their faces are much clearer than 3 months ago. Maybe I should try it.

[fccexpert]

Soap, water and a good cotton wash cloth. Honestly, that is all you need.

[Dr Charles Green]

Noxema as a pre-shave works for me. Slather it on, let it set for a few minutes, leave it on and lather your soap or cream right over it.

I couldn't believe the difference it made in the quality and comfort of the shave.

I am now on my 10th shave with my Merkur 34c and Derby Blade with no pulling, nicks nor irritation.


STAY SHAVED

[GlobalGentleman]

+1 on the St Ives Apricot-perfect granular size for exfoliation IMO. Doesn't really smell feminine at all either!

Otherwise, check out the Jack Black scrub-awesome geranium scent and a great product !! And far more masculine look if it makes a diff for you.

[djboring]

Nivea for Men - will cost you about $5 a container, and will last a couple of months of every-other-day use.

[Gregny2002]

I've been using the Real Shaving Co facial scrub and really like it. Has a good scent and leaves my face very slick. It doesn't take very much either. Check Rite-aid.

Charlie

I agree. It works well, it's cheap and easily available, and doesn't stink like fruit salad or whatever like if you were to use a product marketed towards women.

[cameraflier]

I started stealing SWMBO's Cetaphil. It works, and it's cheap enough that she doesn't mind sharing. It's done lots to clear up my neck. It's in my shower routine now.

[Quetzal]

I just make a paste out of some baking soda and water and then just use that to scrub. It leaves the skin very smooth and seems very gentle.

[Eudjinn]

This.

http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Helene-Apricot-Facial-Scrub/dp/B000EGOFQU/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1298662744&sr=8-29

St. Ives is not scrubby enough and too runny. This stuff really exfoliates, doesn't smell fake, is very cheap and makes your face feel great. Trust me. (available at most pharmacies)

[Ackaroth]

I use the St. Ives exfoliating stuff as well, and was going to come here to see if it was good or bad for preshave. It would seem that quite a few of you enjoy it as I do, so I am going to take that as an okay to continue when my DE arrives.

[Kvarten]

I have used Gillette Thermal pre shave scrub for a few times, and I like the heating feeling it gives. It seem also that my whisker softens a bit.

[okey]

I use the Gilette scrub .It has some blue grains that you can feel scraping at the skin and its easily rinsed off and the scent is pleasant and mild .

[touchdowntodd]

the wife loves all of the st ives products, but the apricot messes up her skin

[deruitem]

Zirh scrub is awsome, sure its expensive but it last me about a year. It has a very fine scrub in it. For me its the right combo of not to rough but rough enough to remove dead and dry skin. I use it a couple of times a week

http://www.zirh.com/product.aspx?f=9

[Don B]

I am starting to suspect that my shaves could be improved even more by cleaning up my my mug. I am looking for something that has a manly look, works well, and isn't overly expensive. What would you recommend?

Can you be more specific about why you think you would benefit from a scrub?

[Ackaroth]

the wife loves all of the st ives products, but the apricot messes up her skin

See, I like the exfoliating, but not sure how it does for my skin, I have pretty clear complexion.

[neostyles]

I didnt realize real shaving co also had a facial scrub. Ill def check it out. Until now, ive been using axe body wash as a facial scrub and needless to say, i think this will work better haha. Out of curiosity, how long would one tube last me? RSC's products are typically very inexpensive but this seems like something that I would use alot when I get it.

[gash]

I use barbed wire.

[gus1942]

I am starting to suspect that my shaves could be improved even more by cleaning up my my mug. I am looking for something that has a manly look, works well, and isn't overly expensive. What would you recommend?When I shower, i use a loofa sponge and include my face. Never cared foe pre shave products.

[Deltaboy]

I use the Nox and when I need to get my face really clean I use a bar of soap make a lather then add a spoonful of kosher salt. It gets the job done.

[dpm802]

A good washcloth will help exfoliate your skin. I use an Ayate cloth,
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ayate

I've tried other brands and didn't stick with them very long. I especially did not like the synthetic ones.

The Ayate cloth is a natural fiber. It will break down over time and needs to be replaced about once a year. I recommend leaving it in its twisted shape as it comes out of the package, instead of unfolding it into a flat square. Be sure to wring it out and hang it up to dry between each use. And be aware that after the first time it gets wet, it will shrink to about 50% of its original size.

[lt114]

I found that facial scrubs prior to shaving actually contributed to irritation and bad shaves. As soon as I ditched the facial scrubs, I had no issues.
The exfoliating from the brush should be enough to do the trick.

[Renato1]

I'm a fan of the fairly mild Nivea for Men one.
The Lab Series one is probably the best one I've come across, but it is pretty expensive.
The Somersets one is fairly interesting, the way it lathers up quite dramatically compared to others.

That said, that they actually help or do something useful for wet shaving is something I am very unconvinced about. They certainly do work well exfoliating tired looking skin on parts of the face under the eyes and on the forehead where one doesn't shave.
Regards,
Renato

[M80]

I use Mean Green Industrial Hand Cleaner for a facial scrub.
http://www.meangreen.us/site/products/details/5-Hand+Cleaners/6-Mean+Green+Power+Hand+Scrub

253226

[mistercitizen]

Nivea for Men - will cost you about $5 a container, and will last a couple of months of every-other-day use.

+1 I currently have been using this. I've used the Neutrogena for Men equivalent (about the same amount of product for about the same price and same availability in the U.S..... Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) and I prefer the Nivea to the Neutrogena. The Nivea seems a bit "scrubbier"..... or maybe coarse is a better description. I like the scent a little better too but that's pretty minor IMHO (I'd take a stinky product that works over a pleasant scented product that is "so-so"). To be honest, I don't use a scrub very often.... maybe once a week.... and I don't have alot of experience with many different brands. Anyway, Nivea says "Men" on it and it looks "manly" and as far as I can tell it does a good job..... but when it comes to exfoliating the skin on your face I would think there's really nothing better than traditional wet-shaving everyday with a brush and a good quality cream.

Ben

[mistercitizen]

I use Mean Green Industrial Hand Cleaner for a facial scrub.
http://www.meangreen.us/site/products/details/5-Hand+Cleaners/6-Mean+Green+Power+Hand+Scrub

253226

Now that's manly!!! You could make some sausages with that thing too!! I can see it now.... we're scrubbin' our faces and makin' some sausages.

Ben

[ThePatrician]

Grandpa's Soap Company has a Pine Tar Soap that's fantastic, super-manly, and a great all-around soap. They also have an oatmeal soap that's supposed to be great, but I've never used it. Dr. Bronner is also great, and gets a good amount of love around here.

[syngent]

clinique facial scrub is far from mild and wont run off your face, i use it along with the lotion im my daily/weekly rotation

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

I use my Boar Bristle Face Brush (I picked up from http://www.brandonfemme.com/product_info.php?products_id=4032532), for shave prep & exfoliating any possible ingrown hairs (by loading the brush with Cetaphil soap then scrub my face in a circular motion), morning and night. :thumbsup:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=202586&d=1322311262 “Laughter is the [face] brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of your heart”. Mort Walker

[O.G.]

Facial Fuel Facial Scrub by Kiehl's. It cleanes the face and only is needed in small amounts once or twice a week, tops. In addition, I have had the same container for at least 2 years that is how little you need.

[DMT]

I'm a big fan of Real Shaving Co face scrub. It has cocoa butter in it so it dose a great job at soothing and softening your skin while giving a good deep clean.

[Neognosis]

Jack Black makes a face scrub with menthol that I have been using. I like it a lot.

[GencoOliveOilCompany]

Great call on St Ives. I use it 2-3x/week

[bhorsoft]

The Body Shop used to have a rice bran facial scrub a few years ago. I used it exclusively. It was mild enough for every day use, but kept the pores from developing black heads in 'em. Unfortunately, it was discontinued and I've never found anything near as good.

[Mandina]

As mentioned above and based on what I've read, use of a shaving brush and the act of shaving itself do all the face scrubbing that most of us possibly need. Most anything beyond that, from what I understand, has more to do with advertising campaigns than anything else. On the other hand, from what I've read, the same caveat applies to mouthwash and many other cosmetic products--which I myself use!

[BubbleBoy]

Soap and water and a washcloth or sponge will do nicely.

[Renato1]

Soap and water and a washcloth or sponge will do nicely.

For shaving yes, for getting rid of fine acne problems, I doubt it.
Regards,
Renato

[trdjohn]

I use the single use (throw away) Buff Puffs without any soap on the days I don't shave, but use it only gently WTG of my hair growth on days I do shave...seems to be working pretty well, especially on my neck/jaw line.

[akokandy]

I've used 3:

Every Man Jack: nice mint scent, very fine scrubbing particles
Nivea for Men: clean scent, much coarser particles
Cade: best scent, coarse particles and bits of wood that make me worried I'll get a splinter, and too much $$$

Nivea's been my favorite so far. I use face scrub maybe 3 days a week and it's a product that lasts me awhile. I find that for me, it does make a difference, especially on my neck for both preventing and freeing out ingrown hairs.

I used to get maybe 1 or 2 a week. Since I started using scrubs, I get maybe 1 every 2 months, and it clears up quick.

[KMF79]

I always wash my face with a cleanser before shaving. It removes dirt and oil from your face that may cause your razor to drag or skip. Especially if the razor's head is (chrome) very smooth.

If you want something affordable and can be easily found, I use and suggest, Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Gentle Skin Cleanser. It works well and is 100% natural.

If you want something that is of higher quality and has an outstanding scent, I use and highly suggest, Anthony Logistics for Men Glycolic Facial Cleanser. I can't tell you enough how much I love this stuff. It has natural ingredients, smells amazing and works very well! It is a little more expensive though. Hence the reason I substitute with a less expensive option at curtain times. Anthony Logistics also has a couple other facial cleansers/scrubs as part of their full line of men's shaving products you might want to look in too. If you're curious check out their website. :wink2:

[Jimbo]

Go with "St. Ives Apricot Scrub". Pleasant scent. Like rubbing your face with wet sand, which I believe is good....you want to feel the grains. Very invigorating! :yesnod:

Count me in on this one. I've also used this Oil of Olay product; it works well and helps with wrinkles around the eyes.
http://www.olay.com/skin-care-products/ADS/Classic-Cleanser?pid=075609001017

St. Charles shave made a scrub that had really fine particles in it. It was nice. I don't know if they still make it.

[edgerunner]

Yves Rocher is my favorite daily face wash that I find perfect for my pre-shave routine. It has cooling and light scrubbing effect, so it softens my skin and beard very well:

http://www.yvesrocher.ca/control/skin-care/men-s-skin-care/daily-face-wash-for-men/?cmSrc=Category

[Sandokan]

Body Shop Scrub is excellent and affordable.

[manybilis]

you might want to give baking soda a try.

[mikey]

with Hoppe's No. 9.

Thanks,
Mike


I use barbed wire.

[bhorsoft]

with Hoppe's No. 9.


My favorite aftershave - better than the Veg! :gunsmilie: