La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub Review

I recieved La Roche-Posay's Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub in a swap. Little did I know that the main method of exfoliation was polyethylene (aka plastic) powders. Should have read the ingredients before I swapped.

Minor detour before we begin the review: You'll often find polyethylene listed as an ingredient in exfoliating products these days. They're the little beads/powders that act as scrubbing agents for your skin. In truth, they're just plastic! You're flushing plastic down the drain every time you use one of these products. Not really a positive move you're making for the environment. Suggested alternatives include natural exfoliators like St. Ives Apricot Scrub (although I don't use this product because it's just much too rough for my skin), BHA, AHA, or others. It seems a bit difficult to find physical exfoliation products without polyethylene in them though. I was at Target the other day looking for an exfoliator for my cousin who is just beginning to use skin care products and couldn't find a single exfoliation product (minus St. Ives Apricot Scrub) without polyethylene in it!

On to the review!

La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub Review

Product Information
Smoothes and deeply cleanses skin, while respecting its physiological balance.

Cost: $16.00 for 50ml/1.69oz

Recommended For:
All skin types
sensitive skin
aging skin

Benefits
A jellified texture to reduce friction and irritation from rubbing while facilitating rinse-off. With antioxidant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water to strengthen skin's natural defenses. Physiological pH, Soap-free, Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Safe for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients
APF [Activating Protease Factor] - chemical exfoliation to boost cell turnover while respecting skin's physiological balance.
Micronized diatomic & polyethylene powders - physical exfoliation with micronized (crushed and smoothed out) powders to avoid irritation.
Poloxamer - a mild cleanser use in contact lens solutions to cleanse even sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay thermal spring water - antioxidant, strengthens skin's natural defenses.

Directions
Apply to wet face morning and/or evening using gentle massaging motion, avoiding eye area.
Rinse thoroughly with water.
For very sensitive skin, only use 2x per week.



Here you can see the little granules:


My thoughts:
+ Smells nice. Kind of floral-y.
+ pH balanced
- The "powders" (more like granules) were too rough for my skin. I wouldn't recommend this to those with sensitive skin because the granules hurt my face when I was scrubbing with them. I'd use it in the shower on my body if it weren't for the polyethylene powders.

Verdict? Polyethylene aside, I'd recommend this to those who don't have sensitive or aging skin because it scrubs fairly well. My skin was smooth after using this product but definitely a bit red since it's sensitive. I wouldn't repurchase because of the plastic "powders" in it and that it's a bit too rough for my skin.