Take a look at the photo. If you are like me, you’re probably seen this product in the facial care aisle of your local pharmacy for years. The no-frills labeling style and plain, white container definitely makes the product seem out of place among the more current, attractive and graphically-designed packages of surrounding products. Pernox looks like a prescription product that somehow was mistakenly placed among the over-the-counter stock.

Interestingly, Pernox is always strategically placed on one of the lower shelves in the aisle so that the posted price is way, way below eye level for the average sized adult. I remember seeing the 4oz. tube version of Pernox once and since I happened to be shopping for facial scrubs I actually bent down to check out the price. Talk about sticker shock. It was $19.00. As I straightened up and walked away, I remember thinking to myself, “that must be some scrub!”

I am quite frugal, but I have expensive taste. So, of course, sometimes even I have to pay full price. Kicking and screaming at times, but I get through it. I’ll pay $95 for my favorite Annick Goutal perfume, $27 for my staple YSL lipstick and $32 for Prescriptives foundation, just to give you an example. The funny thing is that when I set foot inside a Rite Aid, Duane Reade, Walgreens or any other drugstore–I don’t know what exactly happens–I suddenly can’t spend over about $12 for any one item. Weird. I know. (This phenomenon has prevented me from testing L’oreal’s Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup on several occasions, but at a drugstore price of $15.99…I just can’t do it.)

I know that now you’re probably wondering, “Then how the hell did she buy the $20 Pernox?” Well, it wasn’t with a five-finger discount, I assure you. I bought it because it was on sale at Walgreens, my dears. 50% off, to be exact! After seeing Pernox for years and being unable to purchase it because of my self-imposed restriction, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that the large bottle of Pernox could now be mine for a mere $10 and change. (Silly me even considered buying two bottles at this bargain price.)

Now that I have had time to use the scrub and observe its effects, I must say that it IS worth $20!

The manufacturer information states that Pernox for Oily Skin is a “lathering, abradant scrub cleanser that gently peels and helps remove excess oil”. All true, except for the gentle part. I think that depends on how hard you massage it into your skin. The scrub’s texture is very fine, but very abrasive. I think the active ingredients (sulfur & salicylic acid) do most of the exfoliating work, so a light hand is key if you don’t want to give yourself a chemical “burn”. Use it correctly and I think you’ll find that the scrub does a wonderful job removing dead skin and will give your skin a super, smooth feel–the perfect canvas for makeup application. I’ve also noticed that over time, due to its light peeling effect, Pernox also helps diminish spots.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I have sensitive skin. Therefore, I use the scrub with a light hand and have had no problems. If you have very sensitive skin, there is a chance that the scrub may be too harsh due to the combination of chemicals, the added “lemon” fragrance and the abrasive texture. And about that lemon scent–it’s not at all citrusy. “Mediciny” is a more accurate description. The scent is the only thing I don’t like about the product because you have to rinse really well or it tends to linger and cause your S.O. to give you funny looks and silently question your new perfume choice.

All in all, Pernox Scrub Cleanser for Oily Skin is a winner. I recommend you try it. It’s a clever buy…at 50% off, of course!

• Pernox Lathering Abradant Scrub Cleanser (5oz/US$20.00 retail)
  • Product category: Abrasive, exfoliating facial cleanser/scrub that lightly peels skin
  • BUY IT NOW for 50% OFF at Walgreens drugstores (in-store only)
  • Company literature states the product “gently peels and helps remove excess oil” and should be used instead of a facial cleanser
  • Ingredients: Water, polyethylene, sodium octoxynol-2 ethane sulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sulfur, fragrance, salicylic acid, docusate sodium, modified starch, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose and EDTA.
  • TCS Tip: Product has a shelf life of approximately 2 1/2 years. Check bottom of bottle for product’s expiration date.

Note: Those with very sensitive skin might want to try Peter Thomas Roth’s Botanical Buffing Beads, which is a gentler, but very effective and non-irritating scrub. Read about it here: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub