Two years ago the brand Sand & Sky came into a (social media) storm real quick. I don't see Sand & Sky ads anymore but I don't know whether the hype has died or simply because I have blocked their ads. Their ads (especially videos) are actually quite entertaining because the "before" and "after" comparisons are never done in the same lighting, or even on the same parts of skin. Thanks to an invitation from Beautyheaven to try the Pink Clay Exfoliating Treatment I can decide for myself whether it lives up to the hype.
To summarise my experience in 4 words: excellent concept, poor execution.
The concept
Sand and Sky Pink Clay Exfoliating Treatment is a 2-in-1 physical and chemical exfoliant. Bamboo and macadamia granules contained in the product are designed to be used first as a physical scrub, and thereafter the product is meant to be left on skin like a mask so that the fruit extracts (containing AHAs) and lactic acid can work as a chemical exfoliant to further smooth out skin texture.
In addition, it contains pink clay to draw impurities and plant oils to nourish.
The execution
The first problem I have is that the scrub is too harsh. The instruction is to use this on clean, moist (not wet) skin. The granules are quite sharp, not refined and abrasive in a bad way. I have normal/combination and non-sensitive skin and I certainly find this scrub much more abrasive than most other scrubs I have tried (actually, it reminds me of St Ives apricot scrub!).
The second problem is the effectiveness of AHA action. After massaging a good amount of scrub on skin for half a minute, the physical granules tend to aggregate together and the paste dries up to crumbs. There is almost no point to leave the product on the skin as it is, because (1) there simply isn't enough to cover the whole face and (2) all acids (including AHAs) need an aqueous medium to be active. To overcome this, I have to add a large amount of product onto my skin, so to let the AHA component work properly as a mask.
Results
The product does work - my skin feels smoother and cleaner afterwards - but so do many other exfoliants, AHA masks and peels. This scrub/mask is half way but not quite there in either aspect. I don't think it is an outstanding product, and taking all things into consideration (including the large amount of product that needs to be used each time) it is over-priced ($59.90).
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup & Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.