St Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask

I used to swear by the St Ives Apricot Scrub in my early twenties whenever I had a special occasion or a night out and I wanted my skin to look particularly smooth and clear. I always found it to be extremely effective but after I started blogging I read a few articles where skincare experts slated it for being too abrasive and I never repurchased it again.

After ditching the Apricot Scrub, I’ve gravitated towards using chemical exfoliators instead but I really do miss the instant benefits of using a manual exfoliator so when I spotted that St Ives had released a selection of new scrubs, I knew I had to try one. 

The three new scrubs within the St Ives range are; the St Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask, the St. Ives Pink Lemon and Orange Scrub as well as the St Ives Green Tea Scrub. I bought the St Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask £5.65 from the Nourish & Smooth range as it sounded like the best option for my sensitive yet dry skin, and I liked the idea of a 2 in 1 scrub and mask.

“From the UK’s iconic scrub brand, this dual purpose formula made with creamy oatmeal extract and 100% Natural Exfoliants can be used as a mask to nourish skin or as a scrub to smooth away dullness. It’s 2-in-1 gentle exfoliating scrub to soften and smooth away dryness and a mask to instantly nourish skin made with walnut powder a 100% natural exfoliant. 

Use as a gentle exfoliating scrub to smooth dull skin or apply as a mask for a nourishing treatment. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin types and use 3-4 times a week for fresh, glowing skin.“

The St Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask has amazing reviews online so I had high hopes, especially as I loved the apricot version so much. The scrub has a thick and creamy consistency almost like a thick lotion with walnut shell particles suspended within it.

It’s the thickest facial scrub I’ve used, and I always use it as a mask and scrub by leaving it on my damp face for around ten minutes before massaging and rinsing away. The scrub particles are a lot finer than those within the apricot scrubs so it’s definitely gentler on the skin in comparison, but it’s bound to be better for the skin than the larger and more abrasive particles within the apricot version.

I find that even though it’s considerably more gentle, it still effectively buffs the skin whilst leaving it feeling soft thanks to the oatmeal. I think it’s a really good scrub for under £6 but it’s not the best I’ve ever tried, but I didn’t expect it to be with my current favourite manual exfoliator being the Pixi Peel & Polish but that’s also a chemical exfoliator and it’s £26. If you’re looking for a good, budget friendly scrub which isn’t going to ruin your skin, I think the St Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask is a great option and I’d now like to give the other two new scrubs a try too.

Have you tried any of the new St Ives scrubs? Do you have a favourite?

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