Have you ever wondered what causes your complexion to look dull? Or why your skin feels rather rough? Excessive buildup of dead skin can cause much more harm than we anticipate. However, using the right exfoliator can drastically improve the appearance. We bring to you few of the most important tips from dermatologists and aestheticians to guide you in investing in the right exfoliator for yourself to get that healthy and glowing skin.
Our dead skin sheds on its own, but getting rid of the stubborn ones is a bit of a task. They cling onto your skin like that one friend who refuses to let go of you. In such cases, we require an intervention. Exfoliation could be either mechanical or chemical that assists in getting rid of the outermost clingy dead skin cells revealing the healthier skin beneath it. Exfoliation also helps unclog pores and removes excess dirt and sebum from your skin. Even though for some people, exfoliation in a skincare routine can create smoother and glowing complexion, but in some case, such as sensitive and inflamed skin, it can make your skin worse and damage it permanently. We look at ways to safely implement it in our routine in such a way that we benefit from it and not damage our skin.
What exactly is the difference between a physical and chemical exfoliation?
The two most common chemical exfoliators are AHA- Alpha Hydroxy Acids and BHA- Beta Hydroxy Acids. AHA are usually fruit enzymes or acids such as glycolic acid is derived from sugar, lactic acid is derived from milk and malic acid is derived from certain fruits and wines. They work by loosening the dead skin and helping them slough off. The stronger the acid, the deeper it penetrates into the skin. BHA is usually salicylic acid or willow bark extract. They work excellent on acne prone skin and blackheads and whiteheads.
Physical exfoliators requires one to manually exfoliate the skin by rubbing gently to get rid of any dead skin. The most popular physical exfoliators are ground walnut or apricot shell or a gentle physical exfoliator like jojoba or papaya beads. Physical exfoliators need to be used with care to avoid scarring and damage to skin.
Which exfoliation is ideal for your skin type and why?
Oily skin
Oily skin can benefit from both, physical and chemical exfoliation. Using gentle physical exfoliators such as papaya or jojoba beads twice a week can help maintain the skin texture. Low concentration chemical exfoliations in the form of serums and night cream can also be useful to keep the sebum in control.
Dry skin
Dry skin can be damaged with physical exfoliation and so it needs to be limited once in two weeks. Chemical exfoliations the form of creams and cleanser in the night skincare routine can help moisturize the skin as well as slough off the dead cells.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin gets easily inflamed and irritated. Over exfoliation could lead to burning sensation. Such skin types should keep away from physical exfoliations and stick to low concentration chemical exfoliations. AHA is wonderful for mature sensitive skin type while BHA could be great for younger sensitive skin. Although it is recommended to do a patch test to avoid any sort of reaction the ingredients can cause.
How to incorporate exfoliators in your skincare routine?
Finding the right frequency and product according to your skin type is important. We recommend starting with gentle and lowest concentration products. Post exfoliation it is important to hydrate and moisturize your skin. Hyaluronic serum or a moisturizing lightweight cream could protect your skin leaving it plump and healthy. Exfoliate the right way to get the right skin.
