Daily Skincare Struggles?

Do you often feel frustrated by rough pores or blackheads?
As someone with sensitive skin, I tend to avoid scrubs that are too harsh.

Since moving to Singapore, I’ve fallen in love with the scrub series from the US skincare brand St. Ives.

In this article, I’ll share my personal favorite items, explain the differences between the series, and show you where to buy them locally.

What is St. Ives?

St. Ives is a US-based skincare brand, best known for its exfoliating scrubs.
Their products use natural ingredients and are very reasonably priced, making them easy to pick up at drugstores or supermarkets in Singapore.
The concept is simple: “Daily, easy care for clean, smooth skin.”
Natural scents and a pleasant texture are some of the reasons why it’s so popular.

St. Ives Scrub Series – Features and Differences

Each St. Ives scrub targets different skin concerns with specific ingredients:

• GREEN TEA SCRUB BLACKHEAD CLEARING: Helps with acne and blackheads
• COCONUT & COFFEE SCRUB ENERGIZING: Smooths rough skin and removes texture
• PINK LEMON & MANDARIN ORANGE SCRUB RADIANT SKIN: Improves uneven skin tone and dullness
• APRICOT SCRUB FRESH SKIN: Classic scrub for deep cleansing
• APRICOT SCRUB ACNE CONTROL: Targets pores, acne, and uneven texture
• OATMEAL SCRUB & MASK GENTLE SMOOTHING: Brightens dull skin, gentle for sensitive skin, moisturizes
• AVOCADO & HONEY SCRUB SOFT SKIN: Exfoliates while softening and moisturizing
• ROSE WATER & ALOE VERA GENTLE SMOOTHING SCRUB: Gentle exfoliation, ideal for sensitive skin

My Favorite Product

My top pick is GREEN TEA SCRUB BLACKHEAD CLEARING.

After each use, my skin looks brighter and feels smooth to the touch.
At first, I was worried it might be too harsh—especially since I’ve had allergic reactions to green tea-based cleansers in the past.

But trying this at home exceeded my expectations.
No allergic reactions, no tightness—this scrub works beautifully even on sensitive skin.
It’s now an essential part of my skincare routine.

Is St. Ives Safe? Why is it so Affordable?

Ingredients and Skin Safety

Most St. Ives products use natural ingredients, and facial scrubs are adjusted to a relatively mild pH (4–7).
However, some physical scrubs (like the apricot scrubs with walnut shells) may give slight friction, so sensitive skin users should apply gently.
Even with my sensitive skin, GREEN TEA SCRUB BLACKHEAD CLEARING does not cause tightness or irritation.

Why So Affordable?

St. Ives scrubs are around S$9 (170g)—very affordable.
Unlike high-end brands with salons or flagship stores, St. Ives:

• Reduces distribution costs by selling in drugstores and supermarkets
• Minimizes advertising expenses while relying on social media and word-of-mouth
• Uses natural ingredients efficiently in manufacturing

These cost savings allow the brand to offer high-quality products at low prices.
For store-based luxury brands, maintenance of outlets and high advertising costs usually make similar products more expensive.


Packaging Note
St. Ives has updated the packaging for its scrub series, but the formulas remain essentially the same.
In Singapore, older packaging is still common in stores, so you may see both versions—the contents are unchanged.

Where to Buy in Singapore

You can find St. Ives products at:

• Drugstores: Watsons, Guardian
• Supermarkets: Cold Storage, FairPric etc
• Online: Shopee, Lazada

Conveniently available, making it easy for both residents and travelers to pick up.

Summary

• St. Ives is a US-based, affordable skincare brand
• The scrub series targets specific skin concerns, making it easy to choose the right one
• My personal favorite: GREEN TEA SCRUB BLACKHEAD CLEARING; for sensitive skin, OATMEAL SCRUB & MASK is also great
• Available in Singapore at drugstores, supermarkets, and online

Using a scrub 1–2 times a week helps remove roughness and dullness, leaving your skin looking brighter and feeling smoother.
Affordable, effective, and easy to incorporate—this scrub series has become an essential part of my daily skincare routine.

Image source: St. Ives official website