I always considered proper cleansing and exfoliating my #1 beauty secret, because no matter how good all those expensive serums and moisturizers are, they won’t do anything if the pores are clogged. Recently I had an opportunity to try Pomegranate / Lactic Acid Exfoliant from Reviva Labs, which was both effective and affordable.
ABOUT THE BRAND
Reviva Labs is one of the most unique skin-care brands in the cosmetic industry. Established in 1973 to serve the newly emerging skin-salon market, the Reviva line is comprised of skin treatments created for skin professionals demand for individualized formulas that meet specific needs. During Reviva’s early years, it was known as “The U.N. of skin-care discoveries”. With European affiliations Reviva’s founder had selected the specialties of 12 different laboratories in 6 different countries, imported them in bulk and repackaged in retail sizes under the Reviva label. Years later, Reviva Labs own chemists, experienced with natural extracts, were able to reproduce the treatments, following reviva’s exacting standards; adding the latest technological advances. Reviva Labs, a small company compared to the cosmetic giants, via it’s european affiliations and dermatalogical research, has introduced more skin-care firsts through America’s skin salons and health food stores, than most of the cosmetic giants. Reviva Labs are also pioneers of making cruelty-free beauty products – they’ve been doing it since 1973, way before it was a huge deal worldwide.
PRODUCT CLAIMS
Lactic acid and a complex of plant & herbal extracts remove dead skin; pomegranate, a strong antioxidant, fights future skin damage and peptides, allantoin and soy treat past skin damage. Non-abrasive, each application of the mild, new exfoliant (can be used 3 times weekly), leaves skin looking clearer, brighter and feeling smoother.
First of all, I really liked that by using very simple packaging Reviva Labs let the product speak for itself, and I’ve tried plenty of beauty products to know that it’s not fair to judge a book by its cover. There are some really great companies out there who prefer to save some money on the packaging to deliver high quality formulas at affordable prices.
I’m one of those people that absolutely has to smell every single beauty product, because for me fragrance is part of the experience. Just from looking at this muddy gray-ish swirl I assumed that it will smell like mud as well, but to my surprise it actually had a pleasant scent to it. I’m not sure how to describe it, but the scent was fruity-flowery with a hint of medicinal herbs.
I always apply facial masks with a brush to make sure the layer is nice and even, and it also helps me save a lot of product by not overusing it. Right now I use a cheap blush brush from e.l.f., but I think I’m going to swap it for a flat foundation brush instead. The mask felt very comfortable and creamy, and I didn’t feel any uncomfortable tingling.
The instructions on the package recommend waiting a few minutes, then gently removing the hardened exfoliant with your fingers, and washing off the excess with lukewarm water, but I decided to use a washcloth instead. I thoroughly inspected my skin, and I noticed that the surface felt noticeably softer and looked more smooth and radiant. The pores on my chin, forehead and cheeks were nice and clean, and seemed smaller than before, but my nose definitely needed a lot more work. I didn’t expect a miracle, because I know it’s the only truly problematic zone on my face, so I used an abrasive scrub from another brand to finish the job, and it was much easier to do because Pomegranate exfoliant brought all the gunk closer to the surface.
THE VERDICT
The ingredient list is very short, which is a great thing for beauty products, and after examining it I found two main things I really liked: the absense of the notorious “fragrance” and parabens. The jar is a nice size, and if applied with a brush it will last me a long time. I also liked how it made my skin feel after the very first application, and even though it didn’t completely clear up the pores on my nose, the rest of my face felt petal fresh, soft and looked radiant.
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PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$19 USD, 2oz. Available at Reviva Labs, Amazon, Vitacost.
INGREDIENTS
Demineralized water, vegetable oil, bentonite, glyceryl stearate, zinc oxide, kaolin, cetyl alcohol, glycerin (veg.), pomegranate extract, lactic acid, thyme, ground pepper, bran, palmitoyl tripeptide-3, allantoin, soy, oregano leaves, xantham gum, polysorbate 20, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, citric acid.
