The Best Face Scrubs & Exfoliators for Men
Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom
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The Body Shop Liquid Peels: New Formulation Review
The Body Shop’s liquid peels are back and updated with a new twist, promising all the glow without the show. Remember the original liquid peels? A bit of a letdown particularly for for those expecting miracles in a bottle. Now, I’ve got the new Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel and the Edelweiss Liquid Peel…
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Acne, spots & blemishesDry / Dehydrated SkinFace ScrubsFace WashesNormal-Combination SkinSensitive SkinZO Skin HealthZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser Review
Last year marked a significant shift in my skincare needs due to eczema medication for my hands, which unexpectedly made my facial skin drier and more sensitive. My regular cleansing products, used for their powerful cleansing, exfoliating and resurfacing capabilities, became immediately too harsh for my skin’s new-normal. This led me on a quest for…
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Reviewing The SBTRCT Clarifying Facial Exfoliator
In a skincare industry that’s trying to right it’s excessive and wasteful wrongs, the SBTRCT (pronounced “subtract”) Clarifying Facial Exfoliator emerges as a strong contender that is more than just waste reducing – it’s actually really good. Awarded the Best Exfoliating Bar of the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, this bar is not just another addition…
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Clinique For Men Face Scrub Reviewed
Quick disclosure before anything else, because it matters for how you read the rest. I trained as a beauty therapist, and one of my early jobs was working on the Clinique counter while I was at university. So I have sold this, demonstrated it on strangers’ faces, and used it on my own for a…
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Acne, spots & blemishesAveneFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinSerumsAvène Cleanance Expert Skincare
A few years ago I attended an event with the french Pharmacy brand Avene for the launch of their Avene Cleanance Expert, a new hydrating acne treatment (similar in packaging and brand messaging to La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus). I’m always highly sceptical when it comes to acne treatments that are on the lower…
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Yves Rocher Summer Spree
Why aren’t there more Yves Rocher shops in the UK!? It drives me nuts there’s only one in the whole country in Marylebone, London Central. If you’re not familiar with the brand, they’re a very comfortable cross between The Body Shop and Avon. Their products are wildly underrated, providing excellent efficacy, with good formulations and…
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The Body Shop Liquid Peels and why I wouldn’t recommend them
NEW Liquid Peel formulas from The Body Shop are reviewed here. These Liquid Peels from The Body Shop have been out a few months now. The brand clearly thought they were onto a winner as they introduced them into the Vitamin C, Drops of Youth and Drops of Light skincare collection. They’re a relatively new…
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The Tiniest Electric Cleanser: Foreo LUNA Go for MEN
I’ve never gotten into the Foreo LUNA. I’ve been sent the original twice and I’ve given it my best shot – I just didn’t like it. The devices are a different take on devices such as the Clarisonic and Clinique Sonic but instead of using brushes, it’s made of sonic vibrating solicone nodules designed to boost your cleansing.…
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If you can meet with Triumph & Disaster…
This is a very new brand to me and was kindly sent to me by MANKIND to try out and see what I think. This isn’t a sponsored piece either, but I’m always excited to share new brands that I think are effective, accessible and gosh-darn pretty! This New-Zealand brand is beautifully executed. Their packaging…
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Amanda Lacey Skincare
Not only am I very excited to be working with Amanda Lacey on a new project with her, it has been a delight to try out 3 pieces of her renowned skincare. If you’ve not heard of Amanda Lacey before, it’s because her skincare is not lining every boutique in the country with very select…
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The Best Face Wash for Men (UK)
So many times I’m asked, what’s the best this or what’s the most popular that and it’s a tough question to answer. The best thing is what works best for you! How much of a frustrating answer is that? But with what’s the best face wash for men, I would definitely make a start with Clarins…
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TOM FORD for Men Skincare and Grooming NEW Brow Gel, Shave Oil and Exfoliator
This was a very pleasant surprise. I had the TOM FORD Men Skincare and Grooming exclusive when it first launched back in 2013. Since then there has been the addition of the Beard Oils but these are the first releases that are suitable for everyone. The new additions to the Skincare and Grooming collection are: TOM FORD for Men…
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Zelens Skincare Review: An Introduction
I’ve been looking forward to showcasing this brand since I started using the skin care line a couple of months back. Zelens skin care, created by Dr. Marko Lens MD MSc DPhil (Oxon) FRCS with a specialism in Plastic and reconstructive surgery, has achieved critical acclaim and over the last couple of years just seems to…
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AesopDry / Dehydrated SkinEye CreamsFace MasksFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinSerumsToners & EssencesAesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Skin Care
Not a review as such, more than a public service announcement! Aesop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant skin care is a great all rounder regime for normal/dry skin that’s designed to hydrate, re-balance and protect against environmental and oxidation damage. I’ve reviewed a lot of the products in the range over the last year or so but as…
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Bobbi BrownDry / Dehydrated SkinFace ScrubsFace WashesLip CareMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinThe Ultimate Skin Care Routine by Bobbi Brown
This has definitely been a long time coming and stupidly one of those reviews I’d assumed I’d already written years ago. Bobbi Brown skin care is just perfect – no bias and with plenty of testing. Do you have any skin care that you just feel safe with? Where whatever amazing, ultra-technical advanced product you’re trying,…
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Superdrug Tea Tree Exfoliating Cream Wash & Tea Tree Nose Strips
Just as how so many people buy skincare, I saw and bought these Superdrug Tea Tree products because: the packaging caught my eye; the price was good and it was on offer. An often lethal combination. Remember, always ask yourself: why is it cheap and why are they trying to sell it quickly (on offer)?…
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How To Brighten Skin with VMV Hypoallergenics Illuminants+ Treatment Exfoliating Toner
How to lighten skin I often receive questions asking for my recommendations and tips on how to lighten skin discoloration. Now there’s an almost underground side to skin care focusing on asian (south, east and west) and black skin where lighter and brighter is more desirable (in the same way a tan is more desirable in western…
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Clinique Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush: The Clarisonic Killer?
The Clinique Sonic System came as no surprise as it was inevitable that our lord and master, Estée Lauder companies, would eventually take on L’Oreal’s success with the Clarisonic facial cleansing brush. It was also pretty inevitable that Clinique would be the brand to do it; standing as one of the world’s biggest selling skin care…
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Acne, spots & blemishesEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace ScrubsFace WashesLa Roche-PosayMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinSponsoredTest Driving La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System: The Results #Sponsored
Over the last six weeks, three of my closest friends and myself have been trialling the new La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System. The products themselves aren’t new, and even though you might be thinking “But Thom! I’ve not seen that toner before!”, I’d firstly ask you to stop yelling at me and to…
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Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It Facial Scrub for Enlarged & Blocked Pores
Every blogger out there rants and raves about how much they love Soap & Glory. The branding; the fact that it’s always on offer at Christmas (suspiciously so) and that it’s pretty cheap for the claims it makes, all put me off trying the brand – until now. Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In…
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Acne, spots & blemishesEye CreamsFace MasksFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinOriginsGinZing Refreshing Face Mask & Collection
I reviewed the GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturiser back in May last year (£23 here from Boots) and since then, Origins have been busy, busy bees, adding three more products to their best-selling collection including: the NEW Refreshing Face Mask; Refreshing Face Scrub Cleanser and the Refreshing Eye Cream. The whole range relies on the power of…
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Aesop Exfoliation: Friction Makes Fabulous
It seems that me and Aesop are on the same page in terms of the importance of exfoliation. Whatever your skin type or concern, exfoliation is hugely beneficial to the balance and wellbeing of skin. With more sensitive concerns such as rosacea and acne, try not to use manual exfoliators but instead, chemical exfoliators that break…
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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water
I love reviewing Effaclar products from La Roche-Posay because they’re one of the very few brands that know sensitivity is a skin concern and not a skin type. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water is designed to gently cleanse the skin, remove impurities, break-away surface dead skin cells and balance surface oil and water. Sensitive…
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Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant
Another fab addition to the Aēsop regime I’ve been using of late, the Aēsop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant designed to powerfully exfoliate oily and blemish prone skin (but not blemish affected). So to get this out of the way, you should never use a manual exfoliator (with beads, grains, buffers etc) if you have…
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Freeze 24-7 SkinSmoothie Retexturizing Glycolic Pads 10%
Pads – every brand has ’em and they’re almost always the same – a pot of cotton pads overly-drenched in a salicylic acid based solution. They’re nothing new. However, Freeze 24/7 have taken this clichéd skincare product and turned it into something quite special and rather cool. On first inspection, you open the box, undo…
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Acne, spots & blemishesDry / Dehydrated SkinEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace ScrubsNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinRazor Burn & Shave RashSensitive SkinNeal’s Yard Remedies Men Revitalising Face Scrub
By now I’m sure you know what a fan I am of good, gentle, chemical exfoliation, but sometimes, you just can’t beat a good scrub. Neal’s Yard Remedies Men Revitalising Face Scrub is one of the best I’ve come across good few months; it’s pretty powerful. Now, you may also know that I’m very ‘anti’…
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LUSH Ocean Salt Facial Scrub
I continue to be more and more impressed by facial skincare from LUSH, a brand I only ever revered for bath and body care. After the sadly limited edition Buche de Noël Solid Cleanser from last Christmas and now this, I’m becoming a bit of a convert to say the least. I’ve said it once,…
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Acne, spots & blemishesEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace ScrubsNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinREN SkincareToners & EssencesREN Clarifying Toning Lotion
A great new product from REN and finally, a great natural and effective alternative to one of my favourite products in the world. It feels completely neutral on the skin but leaves it feeling smooth and ready for moisture. Designed for a combination to combination/oily skin type, this gentle chemical exfoliator uses a natural form…
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Sampar Equalizing Foam Peel
It’s official but if you caught my exclusive then you’ll already know that on the 2nd May, Sampar will launch here in the UK at M&S Beauty and it’s already live over at Feel Unique. Sampar Equalizing Foam Peel is a brand new offering from the brand and I think you’re going to like it.…
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4711AromaticCliniqueFace ScrubsFace WashesLa MerL’OccitaneMen's FragranceMoisturisersPhotoageing & FirmnessSerumsToners & EssencesMy Favourites for Spring 2013
Versace Eros You can read my full review for Versace Eros here, but this is definitely my favourite for spring. It’s light, sweet and fresh, but with a solid base that lets everyone know you mean business. My favourite notes are the Madagascan vanilla flower and deliciously fresh apple. Versace’s first men’s fragrance launch in…
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CliniqueFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinPhotoageing & FirmnessToners & EssencesClinique 3 Step Skincare System: 2 Dry Combination for Men
After a fantastic consultation at Manchester’s Selfridges, Exchange Square, I was shocked to learn that for the first time in my life, the perfect Clinique system for me is Number 2 – Dry Combination. Most of my life I’ve used Clinique’s Anti-Blemish solutions, but over the last year my skin seems to have finally vanquished…
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Strivectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub
Inside the large box, ladened with scientific jargon, you’ll discover an incredible exfoliator, a truly fabulous product. I can’t start this review without mentioning the box, I do find it a bit silly, but I can’t stress enough how much of a wonderful product it is. On the back, it talks about engineering the formula…
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Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream with Microbeads
This is one of my favourite, luxurious exfoliators with tiny Microbeads suspended in a gentle cream base with extracts of Mimosa Tenuiflora and Elderberry. Despite Clarins recommending application onto damp skin, I find it’s best to apply this product onto dry skin, massaging the cream quite gently, concentrating particularly on the T-Zone, then rinsing off.…
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Ted Baker Grooming
I’m always dubious when fashion lines launch their own range of skincare, very dubious indeed, and hearing of the new Ted Baker – Ted’s Grooming Room line really got me polishing and sharpening my beauty knives. Well, after trying the products, my weapons are away as I have been unbelievably impressed. The products I tried…
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Ren Micro Polish Cleanser
Well after getting back from the blistering, Barcelona sun, my skin was looking tanned but feeling grim and a little dull as my thickened epidermis began to dry out slightly. It was time to get my glow back. Now REN have long since been a producer of potent, effective treatments designed for most skin concerns…
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Acne, spots & blemishesEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace ScrubsLa Roche-PosayMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinSensitive SkinSpecial CareLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel / Astringent Lotion / Mat
Recently in Spain, through visiting one of the billion or so pharmacies that are placed around the city at every turning point (still haven’t gotten to the rout of why there’s so many) I ended up trying Toleriane Soothing Protective Skin Care as I’ve been using Tretinoin and needed something to calm my skin down.…
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Billy Jealousy Grooming
I was lucky enough to receive a collection of Billy Jealousy grooming supplies after trying out their shampoo and conditioner a couple of months back. I have to say that trying them out has been great fun. Sucker Punch Face Scrub With the scrubbing power of Tahitian volcanic black sand and crushed Walnut shell, it…
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Enlarged & Blocked PoresEye CreamsFace ScrubsMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinRazor Burn & Shave RashSerumsShavingSpecial CareZirh Skin Care and Shaving
You may or may not have heard of Zirh before. They’re a brand that are relatively new to the scene here in the UK, but they’ve exploded with a bit of a bang and I have been informed that they’ve been around for 20 years or so in the US. I was sent the range…
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Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System
So it’s time to review this. I’ve had it for a month and wanted to really test it out before I gave my verdict. Since using this I have had maybe 4 spots, that’s it, and this is from someone who might have one come up every day. It’s a level of physical exfoliation that…
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Acne, spots & blemishesEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace MasksFace ScrubsMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinREN SkincareSensitive SkinSpecial CareREN ClearCalm3 Range
It’s been a while since I’ve been this genuinely excited and actually quite giddy to use a new product range. The range consists of 4 products, a clay facial wash, clay mask, day moisturiser and night moisturiser. Unlike many so called ‘acne-care’ series, this range has no beaded exfoliating scrub of any kind which made…