Reviews · Dermalogica · Skincare
Is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant worth it? Who it suits, and who should skip it
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a rice-based powder that you mix with water into a paste, massage in and rinse off. It's one of Dermalogica's best-known products and a favourite for dull skin. This is a research-based guide rather than a hands-on test. It covers how it works, how to use it and who it's worth it for, using Dermalogica's own product information and retailers' listings.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 40g
What works
- A powder that turns into a creamy paste with water, then rinses off
- Combines papain (a papaya enzyme), salicylic acid and rice enzymes, which Dermalogica says release when the powder gets wet
- Dermalogica says it brightens dull skin and evens tone, and that it's gentle enough for daily use
- You rinse it off, so it's an easy step to add to an evening routine
- Sold in a 13g travel size, so you can try it before buying a full-size bottle
Worth knowing
- It contains salicylic acid, so it can be too much alongside a leave-on acid or a retinoid
- Getting the paste right takes a little practice: Dermalogica says to start with very wet hands
- Daily use won't suit everyone, so if your skin is sensitive, start with two or three times a week
Who it's for
It's worth it if your skin looks dull or uneven and you like the feel of a gentle scrub you rinse away, especially if leave-on acids don't suit you. Skip it if you already use a leave-on acid such as Paula's Choice 2% BHA, or a retinoid, because doubling up on exfoliation can irritate.
The powder is made from rice, with papain (an enzyme from papaya), salicylic acid and rice enzymes. Dermalogica says these are released when the powder meets water, so the exfoliating action only starts when you mix it. It describes the result as brighter, smoother skin with a more even tone.
To use it, shake about half a teaspoon into very wet hands and rub them together to make a creamy paste. Massage it over your face in circular movements, avoiding the eye area, for about a minute, then rinse thoroughly. Dermalogica says it's gentle enough for daily use, but if your skin is sensitive, it's sensible to start with two or three times a week.
It comes in a 13g travel size (one of the picks in my luxury beauty stocking fillers guide) and larger bottles, including the one linked on this page. If you'd rather exfoliate with a leave-on liquid, Paula's Choice 2% BHA is the other cult option, and better suited to blackheads and congested pores.
How this page was written: I haven't tested this exfoliant myself. Everything here comes from Dermalogica's product information and retailers' listings. If I test it, I'll update this page with a hands-on verdict.
The verdict
If your skin looks dull and you like a gentle scrub you can control, Daily Microfoliant earns its cult status: an easy, rinse-off exfoliant that's simple to fit into a routine. If you already use a leave-on acid or a retinoid, you probably don't need it.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 40g
