St. Ives faces a lawsuit, with plaintiffs claiming crushed walnut shells used in St. Ives exfoliant products cause small tears in skin — which increase risks for irritation, infection, and long-term skin damage. However, Fox News reports that St. Ives claims consumers have been highly satisfied with their exfoliant products for more than 30 years, and these products are dermatologist tested and approved. The truth is that pros and cons exist for all mechanical exfoliants, not just St. Ives products.

Should You Choose Exfoliants?

Whether or not you choose St. Ives is really about whether or not a strong exfoliant is a fit for your skin type — and exfoliants in general aren’t for everybody. The American Academy of Dermatology says while exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, increase collagen, and brighten skin, it can make some skin conditions (like acne and rosacea) worse — and lead to hyperpigmentation in some people. Therefore, always chat with your dermatologist to make sure St. Ives and other mechanical exfoliant skincare products aren’t too harsh for your skin.

St. Ives Customer Reviews

Many St. Ives customers give the apricot scrub exfoliant excellent ratings. Reviewers say the product works well to clean, soften, and clear up skin — leaving it healthy looking, flake free, and rejuvenated. Over 300 Amazon.com customer reviewers give St. Ives an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars for a satisfaction rating. However, some of these customers say the product is too harsh for their skin and causes irritation — or is simply too harsh to use on an everyday basis.

Exfoliant Recommendations

The bottom line is that you need to be careful when applying a St. Ives exfoliant to your skin, so you don’t rub it on too roughly. And, the product may be too harsh for sensitive skin or people with conditions like rosacea and acne. Dermatologist Mary P. Lupo, MD, FAAD and the American Academy of Dermatology say that while you may be able to use facial scrub exfoliants daily if you have oily thick skin, at-home exfoliants might only be okay once or twice weekly if you have dry or sensitive skin. It’s best to check with your dermatologist to determine your individualized skincare needs.

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