Aveda • botanical kinetics exfoliant • Treatments

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Stasea on 10/2/2009 11:46:00 AM more reviews by Stasea

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Kinky, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff rocks!

I was talked into buying it after I had a fantastic facial at Aveda. It is the most gentle toner type of thing I have ever used! Especially now, as I am 3 months post Accutane treatment AND using Retin-A Micro! It does not irritate me at all. A little dab on a cotton ball goes a long way and I can swipe my whole face and neck. So, the price is not bad considering. My skin feels and looks great after applying it.

This "Exfoliant" toner actually improves the clarity, feel, and overall appearance of my skin.... And I have only been using it a week. My annoying pores are finally smaller, my skin is brighter, and my skin looks smoother. I have pigmentation issues on the lower half of my face from years of acne and the Accutane, and have tried so many things. I'm limited as to what I can use while on Retin-A. This doesn't sting one bit and I'm so happy I bought it. I also feel as though the other products I use are more effective.

It's an all purpose product. My Aveda esthetician said I could add it to masks, moisturizers, toners, etc. I love the smell, but I'm a real aromatherapy type of girl. I got the $9 bottle and I think it'll last for quite some time as I only use it at night.

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jendyb on 9/19/2009 1:52:00 PM more reviews by jendyb

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I thought I would hate this product because it goes against everything that I think an exfoliant should be-- harsh, or at least having a grainy/granular texture of some sort. Instead, this liquid exfoliates by dissolving dirt & oil in the pores with the use of salicylic acid. I like the scent. But, I can see how some people would find it a turn off.

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tempezt on 9/1/2009 4:08:00 PM more reviews by tempezt

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I love this product. Its a gentle way to exfoliate your skin every night. It works a little like a toner, but gets rid of dead skin that might cover your pores. The smell DOES remind me of some type of candy, but I don't mind at all. The bottom line is that the product WORKS and doesn't irritate skin. Who cares what it smells like? I like the sweetness :)

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weenerdogg on 8/5/2009 11:35:00 AM more reviews by weenerdogg

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

What a strange wonderful product. It was my training wheels for chemical exfoliants. I still use it daily after toning in the PM and don't notice a bad smell. Doesn't take much, lasts a long time and clears the pores. I do still need something stronger at times but this usually does the trick. Packaging got a point deducted as glass is not recyclable in all areas, though I love the way it looks. Can be a little pricey though so 4 lippies

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mixedgreens on 7/26/2009 7:40:00 PM more reviews by mixedgreens

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I really like this product - usually toners like this dry out or irritate my skin, but I've had no problems with this. I bought the smallest size, which lasted me quite a while, then got the largest size, which as other reviewers have noted, comes with a pump, which is really convenient. I also think the glass bottle is really quite nice-looking. The only thing I don't like about this product is the smell, which reminds me of those little sweet tart candies. Thankfully the smell is not very strong and fades quickly.

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PawPawGirl on 7/23/2009 1:10:00 AM more reviews by PawPawGirl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this one after getting a facial. I don't see any exfoliation happening even after using it every night for months. It doesn't hydrate like my regular toner does. I think it's expensive. And the glass bottle is not recyclable in my area.

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svs2483 on 4/26/2009 2:18:00 AM more reviews by svs2483

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I LOVE this product and would recommend it to anyone. I went in to Aveda looking for something that would cure my flaky dry skin and this worked literally overnight and the best part is that it doesn't sting. This has quickly become one of my daily regimes. I have sensitive acne prone skin and this did not break me out at all. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it does great things for my skin so I believe it is well worth it - if you think about it: how much have we spent on useless products that never work??? I will definitely purchase this again!

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INDICAN on 3/30/2009 5:40:00 AM more reviews by INDICAN

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Recommended by a facialist to use after I had a glycolic peel that left me peeling like a snake. This is the only stuff that would remove the huge dry flakes that were shedding after my peel.

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*TOP REVIEWER* waterfreak on 3/30/2009 5:36:00 AM more reviews by waterfreak

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I bought the smaller 5 ozsize of this for $19, the larger size is 16.9 oz, costs $42 and has a convienent pump to it. I use this every morning and evening after cleansing. I swipe it on gently with a cotton round. I also use it on my neck and my decollette. I'm not sure what's going on with my skin, I have overall normal skin, no real problems except slightly oily t-zone once in a while and minute dry patches on the apples of my cheeks. I swear since using this I've noticed my skin starting to dry out and peel a tiny bit on my temple and forehead areas. Very strange! A lot of people think an exfoliant has to have some kind of abrasive in it, but this does not. I have to believe it is definitely removing tiny layers of dead skin cells every time I use it due to the tiny dryness and flaking I'm seeing. I also have seen a little imrovement in my decollette area. For some reason I always have an oily zone between the twins. Since using this exfoliant, that area seems to be a lot less oily.

Anyway, the tiny flakiness I see is no big deal so far. If it gets worse then I would consider that a problem. I'll update later if needed. I always use the Botanical Kinetics Toner after this exfoliant. Keep in mind a toner's main purpose is to return your skin back to it's normal pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Exfoliants and cleansers, masks etc change the pH of your skin, so a toner must be used to restore it. Wherever you used the exfoliant, apply the toner, even on your neck and chest area. The toner also helps your skin absorb moisturizer better if the pH is normalized. My daily routine is cleansing in the morning shower, exfoliating, toning, applying moisturizer, then makeup. Evening: Remove makeup, cleanse, exfoliant, toner then moisturizer.

I took off a lippie because I think the packaging is cumbersome and although the thick glass is very pretty, it will not travel well which leaves me having to buy the tiny travel size, but that's also made of the same glass. A plastic travel size of this would be awesome. I hope I don't drop this on the bathroom floor one day, that would be a mess, broken glass everywhere. I also wish the 5 oz size had a pump like the larger size does. Will repurchase again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kawright on 3/24/2009 5:39:00 PM more reviews by kawright

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I wanted to love this product. It's a great concept, the ingredients seem very beneficial to skin, and it has a great tingly feeling when you apply it that really makes you think it's doing something. But I really haven't noticed any difference in my skin since I've been using it, and it's too expensive to buy again when I'm not sure it's making a difference. Also, I can't get past the smell. Since I usually love the Aveda scent, I was really surprised at how bad this product smells, but it honestly kind of smells like vomit to me. Definitely not conducive to making me want to use it.

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MichelleT08 on 1/28/2009 8:59:00 PM more reviews by MichelleT08

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I really like this product. It's like water, and I sweep it over my face with a cotton round. I only use it every couple of days, on the off days from using an exfoliating scrub. It's fairly gentle, but does enough to get the job done.

This contains salicylic acid, which is supposed to be good for rosacea. Although I don't have it, I am very fair and I like to avoid anything that can increase pink cheeks!

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*TOP REVIEWER* yshah0621 on 1/15/2009 10:13:00 PM more reviews by yshah0621

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Olive, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Recommended by my facialist to use in my oily t-zone to get rid of some congestion on nose, forehead, and cheeks.

i have only been using this one week, but so far, so good, knock on wood. no breakouts or adverse effects. It has helped to calm my skin and has gotten rid of the dryness on my cheeks from the harsh Indiana winter and seems to be minimizing the huge pores on my nose.

Smells heavenly. minty and rosewater. i wish it wasn't in a glass bottle, though!

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Casyopaja on 1/11/2009 4:15:00 PM more reviews by Casyopaja

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

It really didn't do anything for me. It's more like a refreshing toner than an exfoliant. Definitely overpriced IMO.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Cinnabuns on 12/11/2008 4:57:00 PM more reviews by Cinnabuns

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I liked using this in conjunction with the puriphying gel cleanser. I applied it to my face, neck and decolletage. It made my skin feel cool and refreshed. I could see the extra cleansing my skin received just by looking at the icky cotton ball afterwards. I like the majority of Aveda's products, but I rarely use a toner so I'm not sure if I would purchase again. I also love the glass containers the skincare line comes in.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pootiebear1031 on 11/29/2008 10:27:00 PM more reviews by pootiebear1031

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I used this at night when I was using the Aveda skin care line. I applied a small amount to a cotton round and applied to my face after I cleansed my face with the purifying gel cleanser. The exfoliant is suppose to promote skin clarity and smoothness. I really can't tell you if this exfoliant really made a difference in my skin but using the whole line helped my skin.

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jenncolby on 4/11/2008 11:04:00 AM more reviews by jenncolby

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

My skin loves this. I always have that dry skin around my nose and this has been the only product that actually helps! I use this at night..using it more than once a day may be too harsh for your skin. Will continue to buy over and over.

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rachcherrie on 4/9/2008 5:43:00 PM more reviews by rachcherrie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Like others have already mentioned this 'exfoliant' makes a better nighttime toner than exfoliant. I find it better to just kinda splash on rather than apply with cotton balls, saves a lot of wastage. Mix with Aveda's "Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque" for a exfoliating spa treatment.

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chloepoodle on 2/16/2008 6:57:00 PM more reviews by chloepoodle

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I, also, keep coming back to this product. I use it as a treatment: mix about half of a teaspoon with about three drops of aveda balancing elements for acne and gently massage in. If it feels too oily, apply a little more exfoliant or water on to your face until it sinks in (usually takes a few minutes).

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Marie1982 on 2/12/2008 10:50:00 PM more reviews by Marie1982

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Not only does this smell WONDERFUL but it works awesome. The esthetician used it on my face and back when I had a facial and back treatment at an Aveda spa. It is gentle enough to use even if you are on Retin-A, although if you are, I would recommend using it once a day, not two, since two may be too drying. Seems to even out skin tone and keep break-outs at bay. My back has stayed smooth and clear since my back treatment by using this 'exfoliant/toner' morning and night. Definitely worth a try and definitely worth every penny I spent on it so far. By the way, my Aveda esthetician HIGHLY recommends the 'Outer Peace' line if you suffer from mild to moderate acne like me. (Mine has been more on the moderate end of the spectrum since I graduated college--UGH!) I'm going to give it a try in a few weeks because the retin-a is WAYYY too drying especially for these New England winters. Anyway, using this exfoliant once a day may help with the flakies and is awesome for 'bacne.'

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*TOP REVIEWER* Mutschi on 10/20/2007 12:41:00 PM more reviews by Mutschi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I finished a bottle of this, but it didn`t do what it claims to do. Then I discovered Paula`s choice 2 % BHA liquid and this is the real miracle product i`ve bin searching for. It does what botanical kinetics promises.

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