As a dark-skinned person with facial skin issues, predominantly hyper-pigmentation issue, I have had to try a substantial number of products to help correct my facial skin problems. Name the cosmetic product, I have use it.
I have always suffered from acne throughout my adult life starting from teenage acne, at which point every adult will tell you “don’t worry, you will grow out of it”. Yes, this is true for most people but certainly not for me and not for millions of people out there.
Adult acne sucks, especially if you care about your appearance and presentation, you certainly will not want any of those uninvited guests taking a VIP position right on your forehead. Most people would desperately wish to get rid of these.
That first thought that would go through an average person’s mind Is not to book an appointment to see a dermatologist (that’s if they can afford it), no, most people would either speak to someone who knows someone who knows someone with an acne-success-story, or walk down to the shop and scan through the facial wash isle for any products tagged “spot remover”, “anti-breakout”, “clear skin” etc. In the millennial age though, the very first instinct would be to consult Dr Google.
Through my quest for an acne-free skin, I have come across dozens of products of which will be reviewed on this blog.
Disclaimer: None of my reviews are sponsored.
Today I will review the “Queen Helene Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub”
Description: Green + Blue 180ml Tube with mint leaf graphic
This product is manufactured by an American company named Queen Helene, founded by a chemist named Richard Estrin between 1920 and 1930.
My attraction to this product in 2015 was mainly their use of naturally occurring ingredients. They have a full list of ingredients on their product container and generally they seem transparent in terms of the active ingredients used in their products.
The Mint Julep Facial Scrub was specifically marketed as a deep cleaning facial scrub, said to “deeply cleans and help unclog pores and draw out impurities” Sounds like exactly what you need for an acne-prone skin but these are also the description that should make you take a closer look at the ingredients list.
Personally, I found the scrub was less drying compared to so many others that I have used through the years, however, when used more than once daily, can be relatively drying. The drying effect is less likely due to the ingredients in the scrub but mainly mechanical, due to the coarse nature of the scrub. It contains glycerine which could provide a moisturising effect.
The particles are a lot finer than sugar crystals but coarse enough to give you the gritty feel. If you have active acne or pimples, the particles could cause them to open and become more inflamed so in this case, you are better off using them at night rather than in the mornings.
The Mint Julep Facial Scrub is fragrance-free which is always a plus, but the scrub has a slightly minty scent. They did not make my acne worse or cause breakout which to me is a sign of a healthy mix of ingredients, they are non-comedogenic.
In conclusion, I will recommend this product for acne-prone or sensitive skin but to be used as a maintenance treatment (a couple of times a week) rather than a daily active acne treatment.
