STEP 3 OF 9 IN THE GLOW RITUAL

The Polish : Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator

kojic resurfacing exfoliator

A dual-action exfoliator that smooths away surface roughness, conditions as it works, and leaves skin visibly more luminous and prepared for what follows.

4.6 (8 reflections)
£35
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Made fresh once you order
  • Dispatched within 2 working days
  • Free UK shipping over £75

Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.

On the skin

What this bottle brings

  • 01

    Leaves skin visibly smoother

  • 02

    Conditions while it resurfaces

  • 03

    Creates a muted luminous glow

The Polish : Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator

Why this exists

Exfoliation often falls into two incomplete camps: physical scrubs that feel effective but only address the surface, and chemical exfoliants that work more quietly without resolving the immediate tactile roughness. This formula brings the two together at calibrated strength. Fine perlite provides the mechanical resurfacing that loosens accumulated dead cells, while kojic acid supports a more even-looking tone over time by addressing uneven pigmentation at the formation stage. The supporting base matters just as much here : glycerin, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, sodium PCA, and betaine help keep the skin cushioned and comfortable so the complexion is left refined rather than stripped. The result is a polish that feels purposeful in use and leaves the face and body ready to absorb the next steps in the ritual more efficiently.

Inside the bottle

The key actives

01

Kojic Acid

Kojic Acid

Supports a more even-looking complexion by addressing uneven pigmentation at the formation stage.

02

Perlite

Perlite

Provides fine physical exfoliation to lift away accumulated surface cells and smooth texture.

03

Betaine

Betaine

Helps maintain comfort and hydration while exfoliation is taking place.

04

Sodium PCA

Sodium PCA

Supports the skin's natural moisture balance so the finish feels conditioned rather than exposed.

05

Shea Butter

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Adds cushioning and emollience to help counter the drying feel that exfoliation can leave behind.

On the skin

A gentle cream-gel with fine, purposeful particles suspended through it. It glides with enough movement to feel active, then rinses clean without a stripped finish. Skin feels smoother and more conditioned afterwards, not squeaky.
The Polish£35

Where this sits

Your place in The Glow Ritual

From first cleanse to final seal, this is step 3 of 9 in the full Glow Ritual : the resurfacing step that smooths and brightens before treatment.

  1. Step 1The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash
  2. Step 2The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
  3. Step 3The Polish Resurfacing Kojic ExfoliatorYou are here
  4. Step 4The Surface AHA Peeling Concentrate
  5. Step 5The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum
  6. Step 6The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser
  7. Step 7The Glow Marine Active Day Cream
  8. Step 8The Lift Peptide Firming Serum
  9. Step 9The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil

Build it as a ritual

Build yourGlow Ritual

Add the steps you don't already use. Your bag updates in real time. Rewards apply at checkout, automatically.

The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash

£36

The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating Toner

£37

The Polish Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator

£35

The Surface AHA Peeling Concentrate

£37

The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum

£33

The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser

£35

The Glow Marine Active Day Cream

£32

The Lift Peptide Firming Serum

£34

The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil

£48

Complete the ritual. Qualifying orders enjoy Complimentary Shipping, a Complimentary Candle and 10% OVESSI Reward.

Selected ritual subtotal £0
Estimated checkout total Includes The Glow. £0

Rewards apply automatically at checkout. Complimentary Shipping over £75. Final price calculated by Shopify at checkout.

The application

How to layer this

  1. 1

    Start on damp skin

    Apply a small amount to damp skin on the face and body. The slip helps the formula move evenly before the fine perlite does its work.

  2. 2

    Massage with control

    Use slow circular motions, keeping pressure light and even. Focus on areas where roughness builds, such as the jaw, forehead, arms, and shoulders.

  3. 3

    Rinse thoroughly

    Remove fully with lukewarm water. The skin should feel polished and comfortable, with no residue left behind.

  4. 4

    Follow with moisture

    After exfoliating, continue with the rest of your ritual. This step is best followed by toner, serum, and moisturiser to support the freshly revealed surface.

What to expect

On the skin, over time

  1. Day 1

    Immediately after rinsing, skin feels smoother to the touch and looks a little more luminous. The surface appears less dull without a harsh aftermath.

  2. Week 1

    Micro-roughness begins to feel reduced, especially across areas that collect texture most easily. Subsequent steps in the ritual may feel easier to spread and absorb.

  3. Week 4

    The surface looks more consistently even, with a more refined feel where roughness or uneven tone has been most noticeable. Skin presents as brighter, but still comfortable.

The deeper detail

The formulation, the provenance, the standard

Formulation

Kojic acid, the lead brightening active, functions by inhibiting the enzymatic step in melanin synthesis that produces uneven pigmentation. At cosmetic-grade concentrations, it does not bleach or chemically strip skin; it modulates the formation of new pigment while allowing the normal cell turnover cycle to gradually reduce the appearance of existing dark spots. The formula also carries Ascorbyl Palmitate, a lipid-soluble form of Vitamin C, and Tocopherol (Vitamin E), which together provide antioxidant protection during the resurfacing process and support a brighter, more even-looking surface tone.

The base is a water-glycerin emulsion with Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Shea Butter as the lipid phase. These are not cosmetic afterthoughts; they ensure the exfoliator does not strip the barrier it is resurfacing. Sodium PCA and Betaine maintain skin's Natural Moisturising Factor throughout the mechanical action, leaving the surface feeling conditioned rather than exposed. A cold-pressed Citrus Limon Peel Oil and Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil provide the clean, sharp finish that signals the formula has activated.

Perlite, a naturally occurring volcanic mineral milled to a fine particle size, provides the physical exfoliation component. It is sharp enough at the microscopic level to loosen and remove dead cells on contact, smooth enough to be used twice to three times weekly on the face and more frequently on the body, where skin is thicker and more tolerant.

Provenance

A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.

Cruelty-free. Vegan. Dermatologically tested. Gluten free. Natural certified (Ecocert COSMOS Natural).

From our community

Reviews and reflections

4.6
Based on 8 reflections
  • 6
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Verified

    Holiday glow-up

    Took the dull look off fast, skin looked smoother and stayed that way for hours.

    Stefan L. Barcelona · Dehydrated · 18-24 · 17 May 2026
  • Verified

    works nicely

    Thorough polish. Skin looks brighter.

    Hannah W. Brooklyn NY · Mature · 35-44 · 2 Apr 2026
  • Verified

    gentle for my skin

    Wary of exfoliators but this one's sensible. Smoother without redness. Twice weekly is plenty.

    Yasmin K. Cardiff · Sensitive · 45-54 · 11 Feb 2026
  • Verified

    use it on my body

    Used on shoulders after gym. Smoother feel without overdoing it. Fresh finish. Can use few times a week no problem.

    Fatima F. Stockholm · Dehydrated · 35-44 · 13 Dec 2025
  • Verified

    Cheek texture, less rough

    Cheek skin felt smoother after cleansing, rough patches less tight by next evening and the texture sits well under moisturiser.

    Hedda Y. Munich · Sensitive · 25-34 · 26 Nov 2025
  • Verified

    even tone

    Addresses uneven tone without being harsh.

    Holly O. Edinburgh · Dry · 35-44 · 28 Aug 2025
  • Verified

    sunday reset

    Expecting a scrub but it's more gentle cream-gel. Used on my body, especially elbows,surface felt smoother straight away. Minty-citrus finish is clean and a bit bracing. didn't leave my skin tight. I do it two to three times a week on face, wouldn't go daily tbh.

    Amelia W. Bath · Dehydrated · 55+ · 11 Jun 2025
  • Verified

    Scent is off

    Scent is off, but this moisturizer still feels super smooth once it’s on. I use it only once or twice a week.

    Layla B. Seattle WA · Sensitive · 35-44 · 20 Feb 2025
The Polish£35

Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.

  • Made fresh
  • 2-day dispatch
  • UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days

In case you wondered

Frequently asked

How often should I use this exfoliator?
Use two to three times weekly on the face, or more frequently on the body if your skin tolerates it well. Adjust based on how your skin feels, especially if you already use other exfoliating steps.
Can I use it on both face and body?
Yes. The formula is designed for both, with a calibrated texture that is gentle enough for the face and suitable for thicker body skin.
Will this feel abrasive on mature skin?
The perlite is finely milled for a more controlled physical action. It is designed to smooth without leaving the skin feeling overworked when used with light pressure.
Can I use this with other brightening products?
Yes, but keep the rest of the ritual balanced. Since this step already includes kojic acid, follow with calming hydration and avoid over-layering too many exfoliating actives at once.
Will it leave my skin feeling stripped?
It should not. The base includes conditioning lipids and moisture-supporting ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, shea butter, sodium PCA, and betaine to help maintain comfort.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
The Polish£35

Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.

Vegan · Cruelty-free · Full INCI on every product · hello@ovessi.com