Introduction

While I was in my local $1 Store (which I spend way too much time and money in) I took a walk down the beauty supply aisle.

Normally the beauty aisle of the $1 Store is filled with no-name, poor quality products that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. This time, however, they had a large quantity of products from St. Ives.

While St. Ives isn’t a top brand, it is a name brand that can be counted on to deliver a decent product in most circumstances.

I use, and love, the St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub, so I thought that I would give some of their other products a try. I picked up a tube of Peel-Off Hydroxy Masque, a bottle of Peaches & Cream Renewal Wash, Purifying Clear Pore Cleanser, and Peaches & Cream Beauty Lotion.

These products normally run anywhere from $3.50 up, but I picked them up for $1 each—the packaging was imperfect. For this type of savings I can put up with off-center printing on the package, the product inside is the same.

Why I Bought It

I bought the St. Ives Peel-Off Hydroxy Masque because of the product claims on the packaging. It looked like a product that could really improve the look and feel of my skin, and who doesn’t want that?

Did I mention that I only paid $1? How can anyone pass up a product for $1 if it even looks like it could possibly be of some benefit?

Product Claims

This treatment masque will improve your skin’s texture and help recover its youthful appearance.

I cannot say that I have noticed a difference in my skin’s texture, nor have I recovered any youthful appearance. I cannot attribute this to product failure. I am only 25 years old and have not yet suffered the misfortune of losing my youthful appearance.

Formulated with a combination of alpha and beta hydroxys, this peel off masque stimulates skin’s natural renewal process.

I am not going to challenge their claims as to how they formulate their product, I don’t work in their lab.

Lifts dead surface cells and complexion dulling impurities

It does life dead surface cells and impurities, but not to darn many of them. I have found that it isn’t the most effective exfoliant around. I think that St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub is much better at exfoliating.

Contains apple extract, a natural source of antioxidants

Again, I will not challenge what they do and do not put into this product but instead take their word for it. I do appreciate the fact that St. Ives uses natural sources when possible.

Directions

While I find that giving directions for some products is insulting (such as baby wash), they are helpful for products such as this because not everyone is familiar with how to use such a product.

To use St. Ives Peel-Off Hydroxy Masque you simply apply lightly to your face in an upward motion (downward can encourage wrinkling), taking extra care to avoid your eyes.

Leave the product on until it dries completely, then peel off carefully and rinse away any residue that may remain.

Warnings

You should avoid contact between this product and your eyes, as it is for external use only. If you should happen to get it in your eyes, flush thoroughly with water.

I’ve actually gotten this product a little too close to my eyes. While it didn’t actually get into my eyes, the fumes were enough to make my eyes water and sting. When they say keep it away from your eyes, take their word for it!

Also, they caution sensitive skinned people that this product may cause them a temporary tingling sensation.

I am far from sensitive skinned. It would be more accurate to say I have skin of steel. This product didn’t make my skin tingle, it flat out stung intensively! If you are sensitive skinned, this would burn and hurt like (you know what)!

My Thoughts

I really didn’t find the St. Ives Exfoliating Masque to be an effective exfoliant. It really didn’t do much for my skin, which was quite a disappointment. I would have been much more disappointed if I had paid full price for it.

I’m also not too crazy about the actual application process. This product is a very thick, glue-like product and it feels like I am wiping tar on my face. It’s hard to control and get exactly where you want it.

I do like the fact that my face feels really soft and smooth after I use St. Ives Peel-Off Hydroxy Masque.

I also like the fact that it peels off very easily without any discomfort whatsoever. I think that this may be the reason it is less than effective as an exfoliant—it’s too gentle.

Recommendation

I would not recommend this product. There are too many other products on the market that do the job of exfoliating much more effectively with less mess.

Ingredients
Water, SD Alcohol 40, Polyvinyl Alcohol, PEG-8, Glycerin, PEG-75, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Primula Veris Extract, Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Extract, Sambucus Nigra Extract, Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract, Apple Extract, Disodium IDTA, Sodium PCA, Solluble Collagen, Honey, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Fragrance


Recommended: No