Pür Minerals Joystick - A New Approach to Facial Cleansing

SUMMARY: Pür Joystick Exfoliating Deep Pore Cleanser is a new approach to facial cleansing that offers a travel-friendly solid cleanser that doubles as a mask, ideal for acne-prone skin.

ABOUT THE BRAND: Pür Cosmetics is created to help [people] of all ages and skin tones look and feel their best, while enhancing their skin's health. The planet-friendly, cruelty-free products are formulated without harsh ingredients, and as a beauty trendsetter, PUR is committed to offering a complete range of fashion-forward, pure pigment colors to suit all skin tones and types. They also created PÜR PRO Artist program to give professional makeup artist special members-only benefits and discounts.

BEAUTY ALMANAC TESTED

USE: A facial cleanser in a solid stick format? Ingenious! I've long heard about Pür but had never tried any of their products. The brand sent me their Joystick to test out and I took it with me on a weekend trip. The small size and the fact that I could bring it in my carry-on luggage (as it is solid) was an immediate plus. But the unscented, exfoliating formula was what sold me. I used it for one week: 6 times as a "wet" cleanser and once as a leave on mask.

As a wet cleanser, the product easily worked up a foamy lather. As a mask (I used less water), I left the product one my face for about 3 minutes and then rinsed it off; the texture didn't change much and didn't feel like the typical mud mask. The brand suggests that their products be used for a full 60 days to see maximum benefits. But I don't really have problem skin at the moment (though it IS sensitive) and I like to mix up my product usage.

"This all-in-one cleanser, exfoliator and toner foams on contact to instantly draw out dirt, oil and impurities with charcoal and Moroccan Lava Clay. Suitable for all skin types, but specifically formulated for congested, acne-prone skin." Purcosmetics.com

AROMA & TEXTURE: Joystick really has no perceivable aroma during or after application. Though lavender water is an ingredient, I couldn't detect its aroma. The texture is like a bar of soap with small exfoliating seeds. It's not very rough, however, and is a pleasure to use.

INGREDIENTS: AQUA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM STEARATE, BIS-PEG-18 METHYL ETHER DIMETHYL, SILANE, GLYCERIN, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER), FLOWER WATER, DIATOMACEOUS EARTH, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL DETAINE, QUATERNIUM-90 SEPIOLITE, MICA, SODIUM METHYL OLEOYL TAURATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHARCOAL POWDER, MOROCCAN LAVA CLAY, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED EXTRACT, SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE, QUATERNIUM-90 MONTMORILLONITE, CHLORPHENESIN, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, TIN OXIDE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891O, IRON OXIDE (CI 77491)

PROS & CONS: Joystick is formulated to improve skin of all types, but especially acne-prone skin. The brand's products are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, BPA-free, alcohol-free, talc-free and paraben-free. Joystick's solid format makes it ideal for traveling.

I didn't notice any redness or irritation during use but I did find the product to be drying. It definitely needs to be followed with a moisturizer. The product also seems to get used up quite quickly. I imagine one stick would last about 3-4 weeks with once daily usage. The price is considerably higher than many similar exfoliating cleansers.

Reviews at Ulta.com are enthusiastically positive with one customer writing: "This is my new holy grail exfoliator. I have a really hard time finding exfoliators for my dry, sensitive skin. most exfoliators are too harsh for me, but this one is perfect! it gets the job done, makes my skin feel so smooth and fresh, and doesn't irritate my skin at all! will be purchasing this time and time again!"

Another reviewer wrote, "It was okay. I personally have oily/dry combination skin. I honestly did what the instructions told me to do and used it while my skin was damp. Granted it wants to be focused on the T-zone and I want an all over exfoliator. I really didn't see much difference and I have used it for a few days. I mean it was gentle and left my skin clean but that was about it. I tried another exfoliator on a later date after giving Pur a chance and I noticed more from the other exfoliator in the results. I got a more clean feeling, I saw removal of dead skin with little massaging into the skin, and afterwards my skin felt really soft!"

WHERE CAN I BUY IT? $26 USD for a 1 oz stick at major retailers such as Ulta.com

Products mentioned in article

Pür Joystick

Marlen Elliot Harrison

Dr. Marlen Elliot Harrison’s journalism in the fragrance industry has appeared in international print and online publications such as Playboy...(more)