Exfoliating Scrub

1. Water (Aqua): the solvent that carries the rest of the formula.
2. Palmitic Acid: a fatty acid that gives the scrub its body and conditions while it works.
3. Stearic Acid: a fatty acid that thickens the formula and helps it cushion the skin.
4. Cetyl Alcohol: a fatty alcohol (not a drying one). Smooths the texture so the scrub glides instead of dragging.
5. Glycerin: draws water to the surface of the skin and holds it there.
6. Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil: conditions the skin so exfoliating doesn't leave it stripped.
7. Allantoin: soothes and calms the skin after the physical exfoliation.
8. Silica: a fine mineral abrasive. One of the two physical exfoliants hat lifts dead skin and buildup.
9. Caffeine: refreshes and tightens the surface of the skin.
10. Panthenol (Vitamin B5): holds moisture and calms the skin during use.
11. Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract: a plant extract that conditions the skin.
12. Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract: chamomile. Calms the skin so it doesn't feel raw after scrubbing.
13. Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): an antioxidant that protects the skin during exfoliation.
14. Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Powder: ground bamboo. The primary physical exfoliant that clears buildup the daily cleanser leaves behind.
15. Sodium Phytate: derived from rice bran. Binds trace metals from water and raw materials that would otherwise shorten the formula's shelf life.
16. Aminomethyl Propanediol: balances the pH of the formula.
17. Phenoxyethanol: a synthetic preservative. Prevents bacterial, mold, and yeast growth in the jar.
18. Ethylhexylglycerin: a preservative booster. Increases the antimicrobial efficacy of the phenoxyethanol.
19. Natural Fragrance: the scent.

Twice a week, not daily. On a clean, damp face, massage a small amount in light circles, avoiding the eyes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize after.

Skip it on days your skin feels sensitive or you've shaved closely. More isn't better with exfoliation - twice a week is the point.

How is this different from a regular scrub?
Most scrubs use jagged particles or crushed shells that catch and tear the skin. That's the "you can feel it working" sensation, and it's actually micro-tearing. Ours uses finely ground bamboo and silica, rounded instead of jagged, so it lifts dead skin without damaging what's underneath.

How often should I use it?
Twice a week, not daily. Exfoliating more than that doesn't get you smoother skin - it strips the barrier and leaves skin raw and reactive. Twice a week is the point, not a starting number to build from.

Do I still need my cleanser?
Yes. The scrub is the occasional reset; the Volcanic Ash Cleanser is your daily wash. The scrub clears the buildup a daily cleanser leaves behind - it doesn't replace it.

Will it dry my skin out?
No. Most scrubs leave skin tight because the abrasive strips it of moisture. This one has glycerin, panthenol, and jojoba built in to hold moisture through the exfoliation, so you finish exfoliated, not scrubbed dry.

Can I use it if I have sensitive skin?
For most skin, yes. The rounded exfoliants and the chamomile and allantoin are there to keep it calm. Skip it on days your skin already feels irritated or you've shaved closely, and never scrub hard. Let the formula do the work, not pressure.

When should I use it in my routine?
On a clean, damp face, before you moisturize. Massage a small amount in light circles, avoid the eyes, rinse with warm water, then moisturize after.

Does it help with ingrown hairs or razor bumps?
It can. Clearing dead skin and buildup keeps pores from trapping hairs, which is what leads to ingrowns. Use it on non-shave days, not right after a close shave.