DermaDoctor KP Duty Body Scrub

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $46 for 16 ounces

THE SKINNY: DermaDoctor KP Duty Body Scrub works like any other body scrub. It was hard to rank it in any way other than average because nothing about it really stood out at all.

And then I saw that price. That really stood out for a product that did not enthrall me.

What's supposed to be different about this product, according to the manufacturer is that the "dual-action exfoliator combines the benefits of a chemical peel and a microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use formulation"

I just don't know. Honestly, all I can see is that price tag.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find this and other DermaDoctor products at retailers such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $32.50

THE SKINNY: This exfloliator is very rough and very floral. I used it a few times and each time it irritated my eyes.

Like most exfoliators, you massage derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub onto your skin once or twice a week and rinse. The grit, in this case Dead Sea salt and volcanic sand, buffs away the duller surface cells and helps absorb oil.

It did leave my skin softer and smoother, but it also left my eyes watering and red.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: This product is vegan and free from nearly everything -- cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, glycol-free, lanolin-free, gluten free and GMO-free.

-- Tested by Shay

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

COST: $85 for 2 ounces

THE SKINNY: What I did not expect from Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate scrub would be that it was a seaweed green color in the packet.

I also did not expect it to have a strong organic, yet medicinal smell.

Combined, I was not at all impressed.

 It did seem to exfoliate pretty nicely although the formula was a bit too harsh for my sensitive skin. (It was a bit red afterward, but the label warned to use the "gentle" formula on sensitive skin.

But the color and mostly smell, were just hard to overcome. And for something that costs a small fortune, I'll pass on future use.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: It's pricey but well liked with more than 10,000 loves at Sephora.com.

-- Tested by Carrie

Bliss Micro Magic Microdermabrasion Treatment

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $48

THE SKINNY: After a trip to the beach, my skin is always in need of some work. Maybe it's the sand and salt ... or maybe it is the neglect while I am vacationing the days away.

So I saved this little packet for my return-home-routine and it was AMAZING. Bliss Micro Magic Microdermabrasion Treatment is the best I have ever tried.

It was light and not too rough on the skin. But it easily sloughed away all the ick while making my skin feel super-smooth. Unlike a lot of other things on my sensitive skin, this did not cause redness or irritation of any kind.

According to Bliss this is a "skin-smoothing volcanic pumice, conditioning vitamin E and soothing aloe that help gently treat the appearance of dullness and surface imperfections to give your skin a fresher, softer, more revitalized look and feel for spa-perfect results at home." And that is right on the mark.

The only downside is the price. But I am going to go for it. This made my skin feel great in a way that few other products have been able to.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. Look for more samples ASAP!

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy direct from Bliss, where on-site ratings are also really good, or retailers such as Ulta or Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $30

THE SKINNY: There's something about a peel-off mask that I just like. Whether it works or not, peeling the layer from my skin just feels cleansing.

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask has the feeling for sure. It goes on with a minty tingle and peels flawlessly. I am not sure if my skin actually looked better afterward or if it was all in my head though.

One real warning about this product -- the mast is bright red. Like nail polish or lipstick. I was pretty shocked when I ripped open the packet to find that color. (The mask is made with red clay, hence the hue.)

And it takes every bit of 20 minutes to dry. So you will need some time to hide your red-faced self from the world while it does its thing.

This mask is designed for skin like mine which has a few "problem areas." According to the label, "it regulates excess sebum, and eliminates clogged pores. In addition, mineral rich red clay reduces congestive pigmentation in problem areas where pimples previously formed and improves the skin’s texture."

But for me, it was worth it. I just love the super clean feeling a peel-off mask provides.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Even at $30, I will likely be looking for this product at Sephora soon.

-- Tested by Carrie

Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $38.50

THE SKINNY: Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial is a mask that's difficult to use but left my skin incredibly soft and refreshed.

This is an exfoliating mask that smells like a rich clay mask but with a fine and slightly sharp grit.

Because of the grit, you have to apply it to wet skin. But the product starts to dissolve as soon as it touches water. So you need a damp face and dry hands.

Massage on carefully because of the grit. Then let dry. This is where it gets a little scary and starts to hurt. When you take off the mask with water, you start exfoliating your face with the gritty pieces. I was a little worried I'd get something sharp in my eyes, but I didn't.

When it was off, I breathed a sigh of relief. My face felt and looked amazing, though, so all the stress of using the product was worth it in the end.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I think.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a complete list of ingredients online.

-- Tested by Shay

Hey Honey Take It Off!

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $35

THE SKINNY: The Hey Honey Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask left my skin feeling soft and radiant. Yay for honey extract.

But that's where the good review ends.

This peel-off mask is incredibly hard to peel off. The mask itself is clear and runny, and the instructions say to apply a thin coating (over a light coating of moisturizer) to your face.

I ended up removing it off with warm water and a wash cloth. That works fine, but because the product is clear it's difficult to tell if you've actually gotten all the mask off your skin.

I don't understand the logic of applying a peel-off mask over moisturizer. Isn't that a waste of moisturizer? Why not make a thicker mask that's easier to peel off?

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. This mask is good for my skin, but the process stresses me out.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn more about Hey Honey at the company's website.

-- Tested by Shay

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $78

KEEP OR TOSS: The first thing you'll notice about Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion exfoliating scrub is the scent. It's very rosy.

The second thing you'll notice is the grit. It's very gritty.

Neither is bad. It's just a little more than I expected.

This is a good exfoliator that leaves my skin feeling clean and soft. It has a lot of little gritty pieces in it that are rough, but not so rough that you worry it’s going to leave your face red.

The scrub is formulated to brighten and smooth your skin, as well as to prep it for whatever lotions, serums and sunscreens you layer on afterward.

This scrub is quite expensive, so I'm happy my Ipsy box contained a decent-sized sample tube.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion is the 2012 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner for Best Scrub.

-- Tested by Shay

Freeman Polishing Mask with Charcoal and Sugar

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $3.99

THE SKINNY: There is nothing better than finding a cheap product that works like a charm. Freeman Polishing Mask with Charcoal and Sugar is just that.

The simple exfoliating mask has just enough scrubbing power to rub away rough spots will making skin feel fresh and clean. (I also like that you can use it in the shower.)

When you first look at the mask (which is a bit of a misleading term), it is black but looks like dampened sugar crystals. It goes on pretty light -- you can see skin through it -- and rinses off after five minutes. While it is called a mask it works much more like an exfoliator.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: This mask is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner -- typically the sign of a great product.

-- Tested by Carrie

MD Formulations Face & Body Scrub

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $35

THE SKINNY: I love gentle scrubs to sooth dry skin and exfoliate.

MD Formulations Face & Body Scrub has a simple grit that does just that. But overall, it did not impress.

The scrub was gentle enough but did not have an overly pleasant aroma and you really needed a good bit of it to feel the effects.

There's nothing really wrong with this product; it just seemed to lack a "wow factor" for something at its price point.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but I won't go looking for it at the store.

CHECK IT OUT: This product is a little difficult to find, but MD Formulations is available through Amazon.

-- Tested by Carrie

Pida Exfoliating Gel (Review and Giveaway)

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $40

THE SKINNY: Exfoliation is good for skin; you can't really argue that fact.

Pida Exfoliating Gel makes it a little easier to exfoliate with a product that is simple to use and is not rough or smell harsh (issues that sometimes arise with exfoliators).

The Pida gel is a scent-free, clear liquid that you rub on skin. It's not rough and is just a little thicker than water. As you rub it in, you can actually see skin sloughing off. (Which admittedly is both a little gross and awesome at the same time.)

I used the sample on my face and it felt fantastically smooth. And because of the texture of the gel, my face was not red or irritated after use. (A problem I can often have with harsher exfoliators because of my somewhat sensitive skin.) The formula contains aloe vera, antioxidants and Vitamin C, which are all great for skin.

Pida is advertised to help with rough patches, acne and dull skin.

The only thing that really scares me about this product is the price tag. If it were a little less pricey, I would seriously consider adding it to my skin care routine.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. It really does brighten skin.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn more about Pida online and buy from Beauty Army or Urban Outfitters.

-- Tested by Carrie 

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PIDA GIVEAWAY

Want to try Pida for yourself? We are giving one Beauty Test Dummies reader a full-size bottle ($54 value)! Just enter using the Rafflecopter below. Tweet daily plus "LIKE" this post on Facebook for extra entries. Good luck! We'll pick a winner on Sept. 30. 

DISCLOSURE: Pida provided a sample for review and the full size item for this giveaway. The opinions stated are those of Beauty Test Dummies alone.

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