Okay so I’ve been using the OG Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion since like… 2016? And when I heard they reformulated, I literally braced myself for disappointment. The old one was basically crushed diamonds in a jar that left my face raw but radiant.
But here’s the thing — the new one is *sneaky* better. The grit feels nearly identical at first, but the after-feel is completely different. Less angry red, more glow-without-the-cringe.
It’s $49 for 2.5 oz (the same price as before, thank god). The claim: buffs away dead skin and “age-defying” actives sink in deeper. I rolled my eyes at the marketing, but then I read the ingredient list.
Aluminum Oxide Crystals
The physical exfoliant — sharp enough to actually resurface, but the new coating makes them less stabby on skin.
Encapsulated Retinol
Slow-release, so it doesn’t nuke your moisture barrier when combined with the scrub.
Shea Butter (New!)
This is the big change — the old formula had zero slip, this one has a cushion that prevents over-scrubbing.
Photo: Mockup Free / Unsplash
Old formula was pure mechanical exfoliation. New one is trying to be a treatment too. The hero actives actually do stuff, not just sit there looking pretty on the ingredient deck.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
It’s still grainy — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But it’s a wetter, creamier grit that melts down as you massage. The old one felt like sandpaper escaping your hands at 7am. This one stays put, which means it’s actually working on your face, not your bathroom floor.
Week two, I noticed something weird: my nose pores looked smaller. Not a claim they make, but it happened. Also, no purge breakouts, which shocked me with the retinol addition.
Photo: Masum Rahimi / Unsplash
My skin stayed smooth for 4 days instead of 2. The glow is less “just got waxed” and more “slept 10 hours.” But the big win: zero breakouts after use. The old formula gave me these tiny whiteheads if I used it twice a week. New one? Nothing.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
The reformulation is smarter, not softer. Same grit, better delivery system, and the retinol addition makes it a two-in-one that actually earns its price tag. I’m not switching back.