Growing up as a teenager in sunny southern California, I always hated my fair skin that seemed to burn with just a glance from the sun. In the summer my friends, with their golden tans, would lather on delicious-smelling coconut tanning oil and smirk when they told me the thick white sunscreen I used on my face wasn’t rubbed in all the way.
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So, the summer I turned 17, I was determined to get a tan. I decided if I just spent an hour or two every day in the sun working on my tan, gradually, I’d transform into a golden-skinned goddess. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I discovered the tanning salon. The smell, the creams, the overly tanned employees, the little sticker I could put on my hip — it was all intoxicating, and I was in love. I walked out of each session feeling better than the last, and it soon became a bi-weekly habit. Sure, I knew it probably wasn’t great for my skin, but that was tomorrow’s problem, right?
Needless to say, 20-some-odd years later, the wrinkles and dark spots are not quite as exciting or welcomed. I no longer leave the house without an SPF smeared all over my face, and if it’s sunny outside, I’m wearing a hat. But the years of sun damage in my teens and 20s have now become physically evident as dark spots and wrinkles, and alas I’ve been on the hunt for a cure for quite some time.
Ingredients
I was more than intrigued by the Glow Turmeric Brightening Facial Scrub from Minimo Skincare. The brand focuses on natural, clean ingredients — and their star ingredient, turmeric, is believed to help minimize dark spots from sun damage and acne.
Turmeric gets its health benefits from curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making it a useful ingredient for a variety of skin concerns.
The scrub also contains raw manuka honey to soothe the skin, pure cane sugar for exfoliation, organic cinnamon to nourish dry skin, and non-comedogenic oils to hydrate the skin.
Application
The scrub itself is thick, but the sugar particles are fine enough to be gentle on the skin. I massaged a small amount on my face and right away noticed the golden color. I left the product on my skin for about 5 to 10 minutes and then used the silicon pad to scrub small circles around my face. Turmeric is known to be quite potent in color, and while I didn’t notice a residue on my skin, I did use a dark-colored face towel to avoid stains.
Note: Always do a patch test on your skin before using new products in case of any allergies or sensitivities.
Post Cleanse
I was immediately impressed by how soft and clean my skin felt. I have very sensitive skin and didn’t notice any redness or irritation. I followed up with my daily moisturizer, and I really did feel like I was glowing.
The scrub can also be used on the body. So, if you suffer from dark spots or patches — under the arms, knees, or elbows, for example — this scrub is a great natural alternative to brighten those areas.
Scent
Minimo offers this scrub in lemon cake, citrus peach, and unscented options. I opted for the unscented this time, and while it didn’t have a strong fragrance, there was a very slight earthy scent. Reviewers rave about the lemon cake scent, and I am planning to order that next time.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been using this product every other night for about 2 weeks. Are all my wrinkles and dark spots erased? No, but I’m fairly certain there is no magic cure. I do feel like the dark spots on my face have faded, and I love how soft and clean this product makes my skin feel. I also enjoy the ritual of a nightly skincare routine. While it may not make me look 22 again, it’s certainly nice to indulge in a little self-care.
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