It doesn't get much better than patting your face dry and feeling the smooth, baby-butt skin after you exfoliate. That's the magic of a good face scrub. Sure, there are other ways to exfoliate your skin, like enzymes and acids. but the manual kind is the OG for sloughing off dead skin and unclogging pores. These formulas usually have a gritty texture, and it's that grit that deep-cleans skin. The trouble is, though, that they can work a little too well—which is why St. Ives Apricot Fresh Skin Scrub, a cult-favorite formula, faced a lawsuit back in 2017.
While the St. Ives Apricot Scrub lawsuit was tossed out of court in December 2018 (more on that below), it's come back into the spotlight because of Kylie Jenner, of all people. Jenner recently revealed she's expanding her Kylie Cosmetics empire with a new skin care line called Kylie Skin. One of the products that will be launching with the collection on May 22? A face scrub that uses crushed walnut shells to exfoliate, much in the same way that St. Ives' Apricot Scrub used them.
Why did the St. Ives lawsuit happen?
The plaintiffs in the St. Ives lawsuit claimed two things: that the crushed walnut powder creates microscopic tears in your skin, exposing it to infections and irritation, and that its label's claim of being noncomedogenic (i.e., it doesn't clog pores) was not correct. “Unfortunately for consumers, use of St. Ives as a facial exfoliant leads to long-term skin damage that greatly outweighs any potential benefits the product may provide,” read the statement.
Crushed walnut powder sounds like it would be harmless—after all, it's just powder. But as NYC dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D., explains, "The smaller the particles, the stronger the exfoliation." As for the accusation that it's not noncomedogenic, that isn't the case. "To be labeled as noncomedogenic, you need to pass tests to prove it," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. So if a product says it's noncomedogenic on the packaging, that means it really is.
Still, this lawsuit was a big deal, because to say the St. Ives scrub is a cult favorite is an understatement. Gigi Hadid swears by it, and writers here at Glamour have used the stuff since high school. And it's super affordable, which is why we included it on our list of the best beauty products under $10 back in 2013. That said, over the years it's also faced a lot of backlash. Over on Reddit's r/SkincareAddiction subreddit, users have shared stories about how it's caused them inflammation, redness, and breakouts.
Why did the St. Ives lawsuit get thrown out of court?
In response to the class action lawsuit, Unilever, the parent company for St. Ives, filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that there was no proof the Apricot Scrub was a safety hazard or defective, or that it cause the alleged damage to users' skin. A U.S. District Court judge agreed, dismissed the lawsuit, and also concluded that plaintiffs failed to prove that the "Dermatologist Tested" claims were misleading because the phrase doesn't imply that it's derm-approved, rather it just means derms have tested the scrub.
Should you use an exfoliator with ground shell particles?
It's worth noting that the scrub has been around since the dinosaurs. Clearly people continue to use it—and you'd think that if they noticed any burning or uncomfortable reactions, they'd stop. Consumers either love it or hate it, which isn't all that surprising when you consider that not all skin is created equal. "Even though your mom used it, your grandma used it, or your best friend uses it, your skin is uniquely yours and can react differently," says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., of the Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. Some of us could use it and be totally fine, while enjoying brighter, smoother skin too. Those most at risk for adverse side effects are people with sensitive skin or more serious issues like eczema or rosacea, since any physical scrub can do a number on them, says Dr. Nazarian. In that case, don't even look at the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, and copy Gigi Hadid's glittery makeup instead.
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- St. Ives Apricot Scrub – Why We Love Apricot
Say
hello to glowing skin. You can’t beat the deep exfoliation of St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub for clean, smooth, illuminated skin. 100% natural exfoliants (like walnut shell powder) and apricot fruit extract leave skin feeling super soft and smooth. But is apricot scrub good for the skin? Read on… Apricot Benefits For Skin St. Ives Apricot Scrub – Why We Love Apricot
Wrinkle Reduction
Face scrubs formulated with apricot kernels promote new skin growth by ridding the skin of the old, dead cells on the surface. Because it rids the skin of the damaged surface cells, this exfoliating action can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moisturization
Some apricot scrubs include apricot kernel oil which acts as an emollient. The moisturizing properties of this natural oil help keep your skin cells hydrated while counteracting any drying effects associated with exfoliating your skin. The end result: healthier-looking skin and a softer surface.
Better Skin Tone
Exfoliation is the key benefit of apricot face scrubs and it can correct poor skin tone by exfoliating away damaged skin. They also prevent pigmentation, revealing fresher, lighter, younger skin cells below the surface. Game changer!
100% Natural
Apricot kernels are completely natural as is the apricot oil in the scrub. So, if you want to go au naturel, apricot oil for skin is the way to go.
Can I use Apricot Face Scrub Daily?
We recommend using St. Ives apricot face scrub – or any of St. Ives scrubs for that matter – 3 to 4 times a week. If you’re prone to breakouts, try our favorite apricot scrub for acne, St. Ives Acne Control Apricot Scrub. Remember to alternate face scrub days with a moisturizing face wash like St. Ives Apricot and Manuka Honey Cleansing Stick or Apricot Oil Scrub.
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Let your face have a little good, clean fun. Our scrubs are made with 100% natural exfoliants and our cleansing sticks are made with 100%
natural coconut oil. Leave your skin feeling alive, fresh, and glowing! CHECK IT OUT Suds up, recharge, and glow out! Made with 100% natural extracts & exfoliant, St. Ives body washes cleanse skin with a sudsy sumptuous
lather.CHECK IT OUT FACE CARE
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Hey! You made it! Welcome to the bottom of the page. Not everyone makes it down here, so we’re guessing you like us. Hooray!
We spend most of our time down here talking about what inspires our skincare. Oh, and how to get glowing skin—specifically, how to make your skin glow. So let’s get started, shall we?
Our products were all made to bring the joy of nature to your skin while making it glow—all without crossing into shiny skin territory (not cute). That’s why our entire lineup features 100% natural moisturizers, exfoliants, and extracts! We also just really, really love apricots.
Think of St. Ives as your go-to for great-smelling cleansers, lotions, masks, and body washes you can use on the daily to get glowing skin that feels super-hydrated and oh-so-silky smooth. Did we mention we’re America’s #1 Scrub brand*?
Thanks for stopping by. Keep on looking around!