Iv San Bernard Mineral Red Extreme Peeling, 300 ml is a gentle exfoliating gel for the skin of dogs and cats. According to the manufacturer, it is dermatologically tested and designed for pre-cleansing the skin so that washing and treatment products from the Mineral Red line work more effectively. The microparticles remove dirt and support skin renewal, and massaging with the peel, according to the manufacturer, increases blood flow to the hair follicles and helps the coat recover. Shake the bottle before use, apply the gel to wet skin, massage for a few minutes and rinse.
Ingredients
Water (over 75%), cetearyl alcohol (1–5%), cocamidopropyl betaine (1–5%), ceteareth-30 (1–5%), ceteareth-20 (1–5%), lauryl alcohol (1–5%), sweet almond shell powder (0.1–1%), hazelnut shell powder (0.1–1%), hydrolysed keratin (under 0.1%), nettle extract (under 0.1%), alcohol (under 0.1%), parfum (0.1–1%), methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (under 0.1% each).
The exfoliating particles are almond and hazelnut shell powder, a natural mild abrasive. The mild surfactant cocamidopropyl betaine and fatty alcohols make the gel creamy and do not dry the skin. Keratin and nettle are present only in trace amounts.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | exfoliating peeling gel |
| For | dogs and cats |
| Abrasive | almond and hazelnut shell powder |
| Purpose | preparing the skin for Mineral Red products |
| Application | on wet skin, massage for a few minutes |
| Rinsing | with warm water |
| Volume | 300 ml |
Pros
- Natural mild abrasive. Almond and hazelnut shell rather than plastic beads.
- Mild cleansing base. Sulfate-free.
- Prepares the skin for medicated shampoos. Removes dead flakes.
- Massage. Many animals enjoy the circular movements.
- Concentrations listed. You can see how much of each ingredient there is.
- Can be used on spots. On a single area or the whole body.
Cons and what to watch
- "Vitamin-enriched microparticles" without vitamins. The formula contains only shell powder, no vitamins.
- Not for damaged skin. The abrasive irritates small wounds, scratches and inflamed areas.
- No frequency given.
- Isothiazolinones and fragrance. These may irritate sensitive skin.
- Vague massage time. It only says "a few minutes".
How to use the peel
Shake the bottle well. Wet the area you want to treat, or your pet's whole body, with warm water. Apply the gel and gently massage the skin in circles for a few minutes without pressing hard. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and go straight on to shampooing. Avoid the face, eyes, mucous membranes and genitals. If the animal becomes restless, shorten the massage.
When a peel helps
A peel helps when the skin carries a lot of dead flakes and sebum, for example dry skin during the heating season or oily skin in certain breeds. Afterwards a medicated shampoo makes better contact with the skin. For oily skin and dandruff the brand offers Mineral Plus Zolfo sulfur shampoo, and for hair loss, Mineral H.
When not to use it
Do not use the peel on skin with small wounds, scratches, crusts, pustules or redness, as the abrasive particles will make the irritation worse. If the skin itches, find the cause first; it is often fleas or allergy. For quick spot relief of itching the brand offers Derma Gel S.O.S, and a suspected skin condition needs a vet.
After the peel
After peeling and washing, the skin benefits from moisture. For example, you can apply the leave-in Zeo Thermo-Mille lotion with urea, chamomile and mallow.
Coat and shedding
The manufacturer promises that massaging with the peel boosts blood flow to the follicles and helps the coat recover. Massage is indeed pleasant and helps remove dead undercoat, but coat density depends more on diet, health and season. More in autumn shedding in dogs and cats.
Cats
According to the product card the peel is also suitable for cats. Cats often tolerate long water procedures poorly, so for them a peel should be short and used only when needed, for example for heavy dandruff on a vet's advice.
Storage
Keep the bottle closed at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Shake before each use.
Who it suits
Extreme Peeling suits dogs and cats with healthy but flaky or oily skin, before a medicated or clarifying shampoo, and grooming salons for spa treatments. Other products are in the medicated cosmetics section and on the Iv San Bernard brand page.
Verdict
Iv San Bernard Mineral Red Extreme Peeling is a mild sulfate-free peeling gel with almond and hazelnut shell powder that prepares the skin of dogs and cats for medicated shampoos. The downsides are that the promised "vitamin-enriched" particles are not in the formula, no frequency is given, and it must not be used on damaged or inflamed skin.
FAQ
What exfoliates the skin?
Sweet almond and hazelnut shell powder.
How is it applied?
On wet skin, massaged in circles for a few minutes, then rinsed.
Is shampoo needed afterwards?
Yes, the peel is designed to prepare the skin for Mineral Red shampoos.
Does it contain vitamins?
There are no vitamins in the formula.
Can it be used on irritated skin?
No.
Can it be used on cats?
Yes, briefly and only when needed.
What volume is it?
300 ml.
