Refresh & Renew: 3 Legit, Inexpensive Exfoliators

Skin has a way of taking on reptilian qualities this time of year. In order to allow your creams and serums to fully penetrate your skin, exfoliation is key.

The Beauty Girl and I are both major fans of ExfoliKate (check out her interview with Somerville!), but the stuff can cost you close to $90. Here are three great exfoliators, at lower price points, that I’m digging right now:

Queen Helene Gentle Oatmeal 'n Honey Natural Facial Scrub ($5) Cheap, gentle and light enough for everyday use: t’s the Cetaphil of exfoliators. It's esthetician approved and the creamy formula sloughs off dead skin cells lickety-split.

Biore SkinPreservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator ($14) A quick 30-60 second massage of the alumina crystals, the same type used in professional microdermabrasion, clears all traces of sallowness. It’s also infused with ceramides and antioxidants that amp up its anti-aging benefits. My makeup is going on smoother.

philosophy the microdelivery micro-massage exfoliating wash ($8-$58) Virtually fragrance free with eensie-weensie particles, it’s far from irritating. Again, a 30-60 second massage reveals a refreshed, glowy complexion. I’ve found that the scrubbing action works up a satisfying, light froth. Use it at night to clear pores of a day’s worth of grime and prep skin for the rest of your nighttime routine.

This article was produced by Nicole Pearl for, TheBeautyGirl.com.