My skin has always been a rollercoaster. Aside from dealing with acne, blackheads and enlarged pores, I’ve also battled with seborrheic dermatitis on my face for most of my life. It’s a condition that doesn’t technically have a cure, but rather medication that suppresses the symptoms, which include extremely dry, itchy and red patches on the skin. Suffice it to say that I’m very selective about what products I put on my face. One product I have yet to regret using, however, is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant, a powder exfoliator that helps scrub away dirt and other debris on the skin.
The brand launched the exfoliator in the early 2000s and I’ve been using it 2 to 3 times a week for the past four years.
SKIP AHEAD What is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant? | How I use Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant | My experience with Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant | Who is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant best for?
What is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant?
Made from ingredients like rice bran, colloidal oatmeal, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid and magnesium oxide, the powder exfoliator helps brighten and smooth skin, reduce blackheads and even out skin tone and smooths the surface of skin, according to the brand. What makes the Daily Microfoliant different from a chemical exfoliator and a physical exfoliator, such as a face scrub or mask, is that it comes in powder form that activates when it comes in contact with water. Depending on how much water you add, you can control how coarse or smooth the scrub is.
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How I use Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant
I first learned about Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant over three years ago, when I wasn’t nearly as careful about my skin care regimen. I went to a local spa for a facial, after which the facialist recommended I try the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. She mentioned that, although “daily” is in the name, I should consider using it every other day or so to avoid any irritation since I have sensitive skin. Since then, I’ve bought the exfoliator off and on for almost four years, and every time I come back to it, I’m reminded why I enjoyed it so much the first time around.
I use the exfoliator consistently, either every other day or every few days, depending on the state of my skin and my seborrheic dermatitis, which can flare up due to weather, how consistently I’m keeping up with other parts of my skin care routine and how my skin reacts to new products I try. I typically use it in the shower, because it’s the most convenient, and I rarely ever use it daily, which works best for my skin. I also never use it if my dermatitis is particularly bad.
When it comes to application, I mix the powder with a small amount of water (around a couple teaspoons) or use very wet hands before rubbing it on my face. I use circular motions around my face to lather the scrub, being most thorough around my forehead, temples and nose, where I breakout the most and have a lot of sebaceous filaments. I usually avoid using the scrub on my lower cheeks near my nose because this is where my dermatitis flares up the worst. (I also always use a cleanser prior to using the powder mixture.) It gets pleasantly soapy, but I have to lather it thoroughly for at least 10 to 30 seconds.
After rinsing the exfoliator off, I splash cool water on my face to help relax my pores before I pat my face dry with a towel. I then follow up with my everyday skin care routine.
Why I love the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Adjustable texture
I love that the exfoliator comes in a powder form rather than a scrub because I can control how coarse it is. If I haven’t used it in a while and want a coarser texture, then I use less water or make sure my hands are a little more dry; if I want a smoother texture (to avoid irritation), I use more water than usual.
Abrasive but not irritating
I’ve used many different chemical exfoliants in the past, and I usually never feel that they’re thorough enough, particularly as it relates to blackheads and sebaceous filaments. I’ve always been more self-conscious about the skin on my nose, mainly because of the size of my pores, blackheads and whiteheads. The Daily Microfoliant acts like a vacuum for dirt and dead skin, except instead of using suction, it uses a more abrasive approach to remove dead skin.
I always make sure to never use it on completely dry skin or with too much force to avoid irritation. While I have both combination skin and seborrheic dermatitis, certain parts of my face, such as my nose and temples are able to withstand a bit more abrasiveness compared to my cheeks. This is why I sometimes adjust the texture of the exfoliator when using it on my nose.
Who is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant best for?
With the Daily Microfoliant, my skin doesn’t get irritated and I don’t notice any redness around my nose, forehead or cheeks most of the time. There’s a slight learning curve at the beginning, but now I’m familiar with how to use it, I rarely (if ever) irritate my skin. That said: keep in mind that this is an abrasive product that scrubs away dead skin cells, so it has the potential to make tiny tears or scratches in the skin if you press it on your skin too firmly or rub it too quickly.
While it’s technically compatible with all skin types, according to the brand, in my experience it’s best for people with oily or combination skin. Because it comes in powder form, rather than a liquid or gel, it's also a good option for people who travel frequently since you don’t have to worry about it leaking.
If you’re looking for a powder exfoliator formulated for specific skin types, Tatcha’s Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder ($68) is another reliable option. It comes in four varieties, each of which are meant to treat different concerns like oiliness and dryness. It's more expensive than typical drugstore options (and slightly more than the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, however.) If you’re looking for something effective but less costly, you can consider Sephora’s Super Glow Cleansing Powder ($12) or Good Molecules’ Pineapple Exfoliating Powder ($16).
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Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I report on topics like wellness, bedding, sleep, cooking and cleaning. I’ve used Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant for over three years off and on. For this story, I documented my use of the product for over a month.
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