#SkinBASICs Exfoliation – A weekly twice routine to follow up for a fresh and healthy skin.
Exfoliation is beneficial for all skin types, but especially so for acne-prone skin. But what exactly is exfoliation? (Fab Fact: it’s not just about a scrub.)
If you’re looking to refine your pores, improve your skin tone, and enhance your overall glow, exfoliating is a must. Whether it’s a physical exfoliant (like a fine scrub) or a Chemical exfoliant (like an acid-based peel), adding this step to your regimen can be a game-changer.
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What Is Exfoliation, and What Does It Do for Your Skin?
Exfoliation is the removal of dead surface skin cells that cling to the skin’s outermost surface and become trapped in the pores. Exfoliation is a vital, natural process when it comes to the health of our skin. Our skin is designed to exfoliate naturally. In fact, we have a whole new skin surface created every thirty days in a healthy young adult.
Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead cells on the skin’s outermost surface. Exfoliation is an essential step involved in all facial treatments such as dermabrasion and chemical peels.
Exfoliation can be achieved by mechanical or chemical means
In simple terms, exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. An exfoliant is a product or procedure that reduces the amount of dead cell build-up on the skin.
Science behind Exfoliation:
Your skin naturally exfoliates, or sheds dead cells, through a process called desquamation. But in people with acne, this natural process isn’t working as effectively as it should. Dead skin cells are hanging around longer than they should, plugging up the pores and creating comedones. All pimples begin as comedones.
Whether your acne is mild or more severe, regular exfoliation will smooth and soften the skin and brighten your complexion. It also helps reduce breakouts by keeping the pores from becoming clogged with the pus of dead cells and sebum (skin oil).
But before you run out and buy an abrasive scrub, take the time to learn about all the exfoliating products and treatments available. Making the right exfoliant choice is essential for getting good results without irritating your skin and aggravating acne.
There are literally hundreds of exfoliating products and procedures available today, but all are found in one of two forms: physical or chemical.
Physical Exfoliants
You’re probably most familiar with physical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants manually remove dead skin cells by use of an abrasive ingredient or implement. Gritty scrubs, rough cleansing pads and cloths, and professional microdermabrasion procedures are all examples of physical exfoliants.
Physical exfoliants leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, but they often aren’t the best exfoliant choice for acne-prone skin. The friction involved in using a physical exfoliant can irritate already inflamed skin.
This rubbing and scrubbing can leave your skin looking redder and can make existing breakouts worse by irritating and exacerbating redness. The more inflamed your acne, the more you’ll want to avoid physical exfoliants.
If you have inflammatory acne, you should avoid physical exfoliants altogether unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Chemical Exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants work without abrasive agents. Instead, chemical exfoliants dissolve or loosen the bonds that hold dead cells on the skin’s surface by means of an acid or enzyme.
Even if you weren’t familiar with the term “chemical exfoliant,” you’re probably familiar with the products or procedures. You’ve most likely used some before too.
Some common chemical exfoliants include:
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) like glycolic, lactic, and tartaric acid
Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) like salicylic acid
Topical retinoids, including Differin (adapalene), retinol and Retin-A (tretinoin)
Chemical peels, from superficial chemical peels to deeper trichloroacetic acid (TCA), carbolic or phenol peels
Over-the-counter chemical exfoliants can be found at your local retail store, and many are gentle enough to be used daily. OTC glycolic peels, for example, are very popular at-home chemical exfoliants.
Stronger treatments, like salicylic acid peels, are available at day spas and skin spas. The estheticians working there can help you decide which treatments will be best for your skin.
For the most powerful chemical exfoliant products, ask your dermatologist. He or she can provide you with a prescription medication like topical retinoids, or perform stronger chemical peels if needed.
Most chemical exfoliants, whether over-the-counter or doctor prescribed, will dry the skin to some degree. Incorporating an oil-free moisturizer into your daily skin care routine will help ward off excessive dryness, peeling, and irritation.
For The Best Exfoliator For Your Skin Type – will be on next blog post !!!
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