The St. Ives Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads ($4.99) are freshly scented pads that claim to be the first mass-market brand exfoliating pads with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). They promise to “exfoliate to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin in just seven days” and are made with one-hundred percent natural lactic acid.

I have to confess I was skeptical at first. I tried using the pads on a cleansed face (per instructions) and thought that they were no more than a pleasantly-scented toner. There was nothing gritty or scrub-like about them, and, to be honest, there are times when a girl just likes a bit of grit. However, I kept using them for the prescribed seven days and lo and behold, was I ever wrong!

My skin just looked better and better by the week’s end; it was just glowing: all that winter dryness and dullness was gone to reveal a fresh, rosy new me! I did follow up with a rich moisturizer because even sans grit, this is strong stuff. But I love these pads and will make them part of my nightly routine (they can be used more often, but once-a-day seems sufficient for me).

The St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream ($2.99) claims to, “exfoliate and improve the appearance of rough, uneven skin in just 7 days” and is formulated with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). My hands are always in need of some TLC, so I used this several times a day for a week.

I can’t say I noticed a radical difference in skin texture or tone, but I loved the super-absorbent quality. You could put it on and it seemed to sink right in; none of that slick, greasy feeling that some other hand creams have. As a result, I was motivated to keep using it throughout the day, which I am sure helped my skin. I will be using this regularly from now on. St. Ives, you rock!

– Yona McDonough

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