Happy New Year! Winter is upon us here in New England, so let’s start the ball rolling with a box designed to help with the winter scalies.

When I saw reviews for the first Memebox scrub box, I was blown away by how amazing it was, so I jumped on the second version when it was released. I think Scrub 2 isn’t as awesome as Scrub 1, but it contained some great items that’ll be useful in the cold, dry winter for sloughing off scaly skin.

Ratings today will be in Brillo pads, because in winter I kind of want to take one to my whole body.

Beauty Firm Rubbing Jelly Scrub (60mL)
Featuring a super skin-smoothing blend of argan oil, apricot seeds, and panthenol to gently polish, smooth, and moisturize dry and callused elbows and heels. It features a silicone jelly bristle pad to gently yet effectively loosen up dry and callused skin surfaces to reveal younger, brighter, smoother skin. Turn the jelly brush to “open,” squeeze out the formula, and massage over rough patches, then rinse.

I like the scrubby brush attached to the bottle of this product, which is a soft rubbery surface that does more exfoliating than the product itself. The gel texture is different, and I like it better than cream, but there aren’t enough apricot seed bits suspended in the gel to make it really exfoliating, especially for rough patches like elbows and heels. It smells sweetly of apricot, so if nothing else, it makes a good foot wash.

Verdict: three Brillo pads – kinda scrubby

ddung Family Peeling Gel (120mL)
Enriched with alow vera leaf, grapefruit, centella asiatica, and chamomile extrace for soothing and smoothening out the skin. It will exfoliate away excess sebum, impurities and dead skin cells to reveal a clearer, brighter, and silkier complexion. Gently massage the peeling gel over a clean face, rolling away dead skin cells and dry patches, then rinse.

This gel has some great ingredients in it, but I’m skeptical of peeling gels in general. I don’t think they actually promote dead skin exfoliation — what balls up when applied is bits of the gel itself that react to your skin. I haven’t tried this yet, since I’m still working on the peeling gel I got in the Detox box, and I’m also creeped out by the packaging of ddung products. I’ll try this, though, rather than give it away.

Verdict: unknown

Pure Smile Jewelry Scrub Amethyst (100mL)
Made from black sugar, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, glycerin, and amethyst powder extracts for clearing skin of any impurities and making it silky smooth and healthy. Gently massage it into wet skin for a couple of minutes, then rinse.

I got another version of this sweet-smelling scrub in another box and liked it once I started using it. It’s a good body exfoliant with some great ingredients for smoothing and moisturizing skin. I don’t know what the amethyst powder is supposed to do, but it doesn’t make skin sparkly or anything — this stuff rinses away thoroughly.

Verdict: four Brillo pads – scrubby!

ProYou S Special E/B Creamy Peel (50g)
Let this creamy gommage exfoliator erase away all dead skin cells, blackheads, and sebum piled up in the skin. It’s extremely gentle to skin and works to softly roll away the skin impurities as cellulose exfoliates roughened skin texture. It will leave skin feeling much softer, smoother, and brighter. Gently massage it over a clean face then rinse.

Fun fact: this brand is owned by Samsung. You’d think that would result it some sleeker packaging, but apparently they’re going for the pharmaceutical aesthetic. Anyway, I think gommage peels are worthless, since all that’s rubbing off is the gel itself, but I haven’t actually tried this product yet. I’m still deciding whether or not it’s worth it to even open it. This one will probably end up in the trading/give away bin.

Verdict: one sad Brillo pad

TonyMoly Gold Black Sugar Mask (100mL)
Formulated with nutrients from black sugar, gold, and honey extracts, this mask will bring back the suppleness and healthy glow to your complexion. Spread evenly over a clean face and gently massage into skin. Rinse after 10 to 15 minutes.

I do love black sugar masks. I’m using Skin Food’s right now, but this one is similar. The sugar provides just the right level of exfoliation and melts into skin, leaving it smooth and soft after rinsing. Only use sugar masks a couple times a week, though, as over-exfoliating can cause redness and dry patches. And try to keep inquisitive poodles from licking it off!

Also, I’m loving that packaging. “Provide enough nutrition and moisture.” Not too much. Just enough. 😀

Verdict: five Brillo pads — so clean and smooth!

Pureplus+ Skin Freyia Foot Peeling
A pair of translucent foot peeling masks that, within 3 or 4 days after application, start to gradually peel off dead skin cells from your feet for soft and smooth skin. Wash feet, then put on masks and soak your feet in the gel for about one and a half hours. Wash off gel with soap. Dead skin will start to peel off in a few days and will shed completely in a week.

I love foot peels. They’re super gross while the peeling happens, but afterwards, feet look and feel smooth and soft. Some peels are flakier than others, and I prefer the ones where skin comes off in sheets for less mess. I just used a foot peel recently, and you’re not supposed to use them more than once a month, so this one is next on my list.

Verdict: anticipated four Brillo pads and soft feet.

Overall, this box wasn’t nearly as wonderful as the first scrub box, but contains some good products that I enjoy using. I wish it didn’t have two peeling gels and had maybe contained a foot scrubber or konjac sponge, but it’s decent value for what I spent.

Memebox has released a few Boxing Day specials and are concentrating on their branded line of makeup. As usual, you can automatically get $5 off orders over $100 or $10 off orders over $150 by using my link.

All links and codes on this page are affiliate links, for which I receive commission. All products featured in this review were purchased by me. Box graphic by Memebox, all other pictures taken by me.