AGE-PROOFING SKIN, NATURALLY: Origins New “Modern Friction” For Body

Origins has once again found a way to make taking showers as pleasurable as a visit to a spa. Its new “Modern Friction” for the body – a gentle exfoliant — follows the launch of “Modern Friction” for face. This jar contains a creamy, whipped buffing paste that lathers into rich suds when water hits your skin (a little goes a long way). You have to use this product in a rather unusual way to reap maximum benefits: rather than step into the shower and apply the body exfoliator, apply it first to dry skin, massage it on “age prone zones” like elbows and knees, and then step into the shower.

The first thing to strike me about Modern Friction for the Body is the fragrance: essential oils of lemon and bergamot gently fill the air when the jar is opened. The lemon oil refines pores and bergamot oil soothes the skin.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a gentle microdermabrasion that works as well as “Modern Friction.” The paste contains purple rice from China that has antioxidant properties, Aloe Barbadensis that acts as an anti-irritant, and cucumber extract. Moisturizing ingredients like Shea and Cupuacu butters leave the skin feeling supple and smooth, while bamboo and Corn Cob extracts work hard to exfoliate the skin and erase discoloration.

The bottom line? It is moderately priced, at $38, and it can diminish skin imperfections like stretch marks, age spots and flaking. Sounds like a frictionless bargain to me.