Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher
Peter Thomas Roth claims their Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polishers can do a long list of things: moisturize, tone, purify, improve problematic skin, brighten the complexion, etc. After diligently using it for a few months time, I thought this exfoliator was just mediocre at delivering said promises.
On paper the polisher sounds wonderful:
- gentle, yet effective fruit enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients, & nourishing polyphenols
- instantly smooth, brighten, and clarify skin's appearance
- brightening vitamin C and ellagic acids
- improve the look of problem skin
- revitalized appearance
- brighter, smoother, softer, and more vibrant looking.
Every supposed benefit ticked off a box on my skin concerns list.
The brand even says the $38 scrub is good for both face and body, on top of it being suitable for all skin types; hence the relatively large size, 8.5 oz to be exact. Maybe they tried to generalize a little too much with this item?
I won't disagree with their suggestion that says the Strawberry Scrub can be used on a daily basis. If only the texture factor is important, this would be a pretty solid option. I don't think I have ever used a physical exfoliator as gentle as this is. The strawberry pulp, seeds, and finely ground almonds bits are indeed super fine and sparsely distributed. The pink part that holds the particles is very soft and spreads easily. In fact, the more you rub the more the pink stuff dissolves into the skin. I am going to guess that it is the jojoba oil which holds the exfoliants.
The directions say to use a small amount with some water. I would suggest to use it only damp, almost dry, skin. Don't use on completely dry skin if it is super sensitive. When water is added into the equation, the exfoliator will wash away almost immediately. The scrubbing bits are that fine. The polisher is pretty non-abrasive. It is probably too gentle for scrubbing down the body, where skin tends to be a lot tougher.
I have used it daily in a triple cleanse night routine (cleansing oil, cleanser, and exfoliator). When I use the Strawberry Scrub after a non-foaming cleanser, it helps me feel cleaner by compensating for the lack of foaminess. When I use it with a foaming cleanser, it seems like an unnecessary extra step in the routine.
There seem to be many layers of dead, dry, and flaky skin to my face. Even the daily scrubbing didn't seem to rid the most stubborn patches. It helped smooth the skin a teeny bit, but not enough to justify the effort needed and cost. I also haven't seen any other benefits that initially caught my interest. My skin doesn't look or feel any more pure or brighter and my problematic skin is still troublesome. I do not think the polisher caused any more blemishes; it just didn't help it lessen. My whiteheads and blackhead had no response to the exfoliation.
The bottle format isn't the most ideal. I think if it was in a tube format, it would be even easier to dispense the product out. In its current state, the scrub tends to settle towards the bottom and requires a good 1-motion shake to shift the goods up to the spout. I had tried to leave it upside-down in the shower so I didn't have to shake the bottle every day, but water and condensation would collect inside (despite the bottle being closed) which made the scrub too diluted.
I really did want to like the Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher. But it ultimately isn't anything to rave about for me. I could see this being great for very sensitive skin types (unless it is to fragrance, then skip) or those with generally good skin and need something that isn't harsh.
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