Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel pads have been a favorite product of mine since he created the two-step at-home peel pads years ago – of course I switched to the extra-strength version when introduced. The pads are just large enough for me to use on my face and neck, and I admit I would sometimes break out another set to use on my arms and upper body during the summer. The good doctor must have known that his clients were in need of a bigger peel pad as has cleverly created a one-step Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Towel ($36 for 8).

The juicy, textured “towel” is actually more of a “washcloth” (5.25 in. squares) but certainly has enough surface area to cover the body and is full of skin beneficial ingredients to address several skin concerns. There is glycolic and mandelic acid to slough off dead, dry skin as well as salicylic and azelaic acids (in the gentler disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates form) to treat chest and “back-ne” by reducing pore blockage  and helping to control oil secretion. The combination of AHAs, willow bark and witch hazel should aid with reducing keratosis pilaris. There are also citric acid and lactic acids which gently aid in cell turnover. Genistein, a soy isoflavone, which reportedly stimulates collagen growth (read Marta’s view). Lastly, there is soothing tea tree oil and chamomile extract as well as the antioxidant properties of green tea and ubiquinone (CoQ10).

The exfoliating towel is meant to be rubbed onto clean, dry skin until it is completely dry. My skin is indeed smoother after use of the exfoliating towel. What I found to be even more impressive was that I noted a reduction in those annoying razor bumps on my legs with regular use of the exfoliating towel! The towels are individually packed, making them ideal to travel with and were featured on Allure’s article “Hurricane Beauty: How to look good when you’re without water.” I actually forgot to pack the handy serviettes when I had to vacate powerless Downtown Manhattan post-Hurricane Sandy to crash on a friend’s couch in electrified Brooklyn. Interestingly enough, the texturized towel was one of the items I used when I returned home after almost a week without beauty products.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), SD Alcohol 40-B, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Larrea Divaricata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Ubiquinone, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Phytic Acid, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Zinc PCA, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate