CULT BUY: "The fancy white face powder that's made my skin the softest it's ever felt."

Physical exfoliants get a bit of a bad rap in 2018. Yeah, you’re right. They’ve been copping it since the early 2000s.

It’s not their fault. They didn’t choose the environment-polluting, rashy, apricot scrub life.

Now, it’s all about chemical exfoliants, with their fancy acids and qualifications in ridiculously glowy skin.

The thing is, not all physical exfoliants are created equal.

Some are out there, living their lives, just trying to smooth your skin without too much fuss.

One of those is the called the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, and you really ought to give it a moment of your time.

Just hear it out, alright?

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dermalogica daily microfoliant
Images: Supplied.

When this cult-brand exfoliating product wandered talked its way into my bathroom, I wasn't really sure it was for me.

I have sensitive skin, you see. And don't physical exfoliators cause micro-tares and irritation?

That's where the difference between an exfoliating scrub (a physical exfoliant containing tiny granules of dried fruit or nuts) and a microfoliant is quite important.

Never having used this $64.99 product before (pssst it's currently down from $90), I set about doing so research on the internet and on my face to find out if the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant could graduate from skincare side chick to the love of my life.


Here goes.

What is a microfoliant?

A microfoliant is exactly what it sounds like when you ponder it for a moment or two. A micro (i.e teeny tiny) exfoliating product.

In the case of the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliatant, it's a finely milled white powder made from a rice bran that turns into an exfoliating paste when mixed with water.

Voila! Once activated with water, the formula releases rice enzymes and the acids you'd find in chemical exfoliants - Citric Acid and Salicylic Acid - to gently resurface the skin and tell dead skin cells to take a hike.

Exfoliating can be taxing on the skin if not done right, hence this product contains ingredients like green tea, gingko and oatmeal to calm and hydrate the skin.

The overall effect should be one of smoother, brighter, 'extraordinarily clear' skin. Or so the bottle says.

Side note - we tried the Instagram glitter face mask. Here's what we thought. Post continues after video.

Video by MWN

How to use the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This process will feel strange at first. You might even wonder how this suspicious-looking white powder can somehow turn into an all powerful exfoliating paste.

But it does.

After cleansing with your product of choice, pat your face dry, but not completely.

Remove the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant's lid and pour about half a teaspoon worth of the white powder into the palm of your hand.

Then, carefully trickle some water into your hands and rub together until the powder foams up into a textured paste.


From there, rub the paste into your skin in gentle, circular motions for about a minute, focusing on the areas that are giving you grief (for me, it's my chin).

Once you've given yourself a good scrubbing, rinse off with cool water and dry your face as per usual.

Dermalogica says the product is formulated for daily use, however it'd be wise to start off slowly once or twice a week to see how your skin reacts to the product. I've been using mine twice a week for two months and haven't had any issues.

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dermalogica daily microfoliantdermalogica daily microfoliant
dermalogica daily microfoliant

Does the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant work?

Short answer: YES.

The proof is in my freckly-skinned pudding, because I've genuinely not had so many compliments about my skin's overall appearance in a long time.

Sure, my chin and I are working through some congestion issues - with the microfoliant's help - but the general feedback from my friends and co-workers is that the texture and brightness of my skin is what they notice when they look at my face.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant earned its spot in my 'weekly' beauty products, which means it gets a place on the bathroom shelf, not tucked away in the cabinet.

It's easy, effective and takes 60 seconds.

And it's just a rollicking good time.

You can find the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant on sale for $64.99 over on Mamamia Shopping.

Is chemical or physical exfoliation a part of your weekly beauty routine? How open are you to trying new products?