Korres Face Scrubs pt.1: Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser & Thyme Honey Cleansing Scrub

When it comes to Greek pharmacy skincare, the face scrubs and face masks from Korres are among the most popular products, and with good reason: they come in convenient, travel size-friendly 16ml tubes and usually cost no more than a few euros.

Now, I must admit, that even though their face masks never really manage to intrigue me enough, that hasn't been the case with their face scrubs: most often there's at least one of them in my bathroom cabinet. So, I figured, why not properly review all of them, deciding which one I like the most at the same time? :)

At the moment, there's three facial scrubs listed on their website: the Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser, the Thyme Honey Cleansing Scrub and the Pomegranate Cleansing Scrub, but I distinctly remember there being an Olive Stones Deep Cleansing Scrub as well, which might currently be discontinued. Today, I'll be reviewing the first of
those two.

The first thing you might notice about the Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser is, well... the name. It's not marketed as a scrub, but as a cleanser, and while it does lather up a tiny bit, I couldn't imagine this substituting any cleanser whatsoever. As a scrub, however, it does a great job: it has a decent concentration of granules (derived from rice seeds and cherry stones) in an aloe leaf juice mix, and it succeeds in gently exfoliating my dry and sensitive skin, leaving it clean and smooth. The ingredients also include ascorbyl palmitate, rose oil and salicylic acid (in lesser concentrations, but still), which aid to brighter skin, while also ensuring that the formula is tolerated by acne prone skintypes (the product itself is suited to all skins). Personally, I really enjoy using this one 1- 2 times a week, along with a chemical exfoliator, and I'd definitely repurchase.

As for the Thyme Honey Cleansing Scrub, my feelings are a bit mixed: it's aimed at dry and sensitive skintypes, and while the creamy consistency, which includes honey, aloe and calendula extracts, doesn't aggravate my sensitive skin, it doesn't do a whole lot in the exfoliating department. The walnut grains in it are too big and too sparse for my taste, doing only half the job. On the website, it's described as a "moisturising" scrub, and yes, while I can see its hydrating benefits, I still have quite a bit of dead skin left once I wash it off. Not a future repurchase for me, I'm afraid!

I should say, however, that both of these scrubs work well with even the most temperamental of skins, like mine, and they are both really gentle. Sadly, only one of them actually did the job for me, and it's not even sold as a "scrub", nor is it aimed at my exact skintype! Who knew!
Lesson of the day: "don't rely on the label, if you feel it might work for you, give it a go anyways"!

Physical exfoliators (i.e. scrubs with granules) may not be appropriate for inflammed skins or skins battling acne. If you're challenged with more than the odd monthly hormonal breakout, consult your dermatologist.

Have you tried any of the Korres face scrubs? Any favorites?

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