Exfoliation is an essential and unavoidable practice in every skin care regime. For instance, it assists in the removal of old dead skin cells, clears congested pores and fastens the skin’s cell generation resulting in healthy looking skin. However, since many companies have different products, many are often faced with a dilemma of whether to pick chemical or physical exfoliation. This blog will help you understand this dilemma by doing in depth exfoliant reviews, identifying the best exfoliants, outlining the exfoliation benefits with the product pros and cons of both methods to enable you understand which method will be suitable for your skin.
How does exfoliation work and how does it benefit the skin
Exfoliation is an effective way of shedding off the living cells that are attached to the outermost membrane of the skin. When done regularly it eliminates the risk of pores getting clogged hence avoiding acne and lifeless skin. Besides this, it allows deeper penetration and hence increases the efficacy of previously applied moisturizers or other active skin care agents.
There are two major types of exfoliation:
- Physical exfoliation: It includes the use of these small and abrasive particles or any device such as sponges or brushes to scrub the dead skin away from the surface.
- Chemical exfoliation: Includes the application of either acids or enzymes that can help break the adhesion of dead surface to the live skin for easier sloughing.
Physical Exfoliation: The Hands On Exfoliators Explained
One type of exfoliant that every person will come across at one time or another is the physical exfoliant. It may include the use of fine sugar or salt particles, microbeads or other products that look like facial scrubs, brushes and sponges. This is the type of exfoliation that involves the physical removal of the outer layer of the skin containing dead cells to expose new skin.
Exfoliant Reviews: Most Popular Physical Exfoliates
1. St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
Exfoliation Benefits: This is one of the classic physically-acting exfoliating agents in that it provides an impressive scrubbing action. It is able to remove a lot of dead skin because of the crushed walnut shell powder present.
Pros:
- Cheap and kittable.
- Deep, refreshing scrub
Cons:
- People with very sensitive and acne prone skins may not benefit from the product since its rough particles tend to punch tiny holes in the skin surfaces.
- People should use it sparingly as it may be too much for everyday use.
Best For: Not for sensitive skin; working for every skin type but works well for those with normal to oily skin who can afford to be a little aggressive in their exfoliation.
2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Exfoliation Benefits: This is quite soft on the skin during use when compared to most scrubs since it is a rice based powder exfoliating agent that when blended in water, serves as a soft buffer to remove dead skin cells. It is soft on the skin but not soft on the efficacy of exfoliation.
Pros:
- Appropriate for sensitive skins among others.
- Daily use is possible without the risk of developing any kind of irritation.
Cons:
- Comparatively higher price than the drug store physical exfoliants.
Best For: All skin types but especially those who need mild-exfoliating including day to day use.
Self Scrubbing – Pros and Cons of physical exfoliation
Pros:
- Instant Gratification: One use of Phsyical Exfoliation and people will have their skin in smoother condition almost immediately after the exfoliation.
- Easy to Use: Most if not all physical exfoliation. Exfoliators are quite simple, just rub on the area and wash off.
- Available: A number of dearths of such physical exfoliating scrubs are there in the market which stands at very less price.
Cons:
- Can Be Harsh: Most of the time physical exfoliants are too harsh and may result in micro-tears or irritation, mostly to people with sensitive skin.
- Inconsistent Exfoliation: Manual exfoliation can lead to haphazard exfoliation especially in terms of pressure application.
- Not Suitable for All Skin Types: Scrubs and/or exfoliating products will irritate and/or inflame people who have acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Chemical Exfoliation: Key Issues Addressed
As said earlier, mechanical exfoliation differs from chemical exfoliation because chemical exfoliation works by breaking down the surface bonds in dead skin using particular ingredients, allowing the skin to dispel these sheds naturally. The Common Examples of Chemical exfoliants are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), and Poly Hydroxy Acids (PHAs). These exfoliants include toners, serums, or peels which are relatively less harsh yet more efficient in exfoliation.
List Of Reviews: Best Chemical Exfoliants
1. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (AHA)
Benefits Of Exfoliation: This toner possesses effective chemical exfoliation properties at a prices that is much more affordable than many of its competitors offering the same service, leaving very few people who don’t like every other treatment. This is because glycolic acid is an AHA that exfoliates the skin up hence enhancing the texture.
Pros:
- Cheap with effective yet uncomplicated formulation.
- Dull and uneven skin texture is improved.
Cons:
- It is irritating especially when overused on thinning and sensitive skin.
- A sun block is required since AHA’s increase photo sensitivity to the skin.
Best For: Those with normal to oily skin, wishing to enhance skin texture and brightness.
2. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (BHA)
Exfoliation Benefits: This BHA exfoliant has salicylic acid which is unique as it can reach deep inside the pores making it useful for an oily and acne prone skin. It assists in clearing off the breakouts as well as preventing any further breakouts all the while allowing for some skin smoothing.
Pros:
- Great for minimizing the development of blackheads & unclogging the pores.
- The formulation is not very heavy making it supple and fast-absorbing.
Cons:
- Possible initial purging may occur (temporary breakouts).
- Will not yield results unless used regularly.
Best For: Blackhead and breakouts in oily and cystic prone acne.
Pros and Cons of Chemical Exfoliation
Pros:
- More Skin Friendly: Chemical exfoliators do not need scrubbing and as a result do not create chances for micro-tears threads unlike the physical scrubbers.
- Even Exfoliation: Few treatments provide such even results as those that are relatively new to the cosmetic sphere- chemical peels. Such peels work even over skin which helps ensure the skin is renewed, uniformly.
- Hitting the Spot: Although both AHAs and BHAs perform the same functions, AHAs only assist in issues that are of the surface level in nature, managed within the range of the topmost layers. BHAs on the other hand are more penetrative; hence they address pore issues at a deeper level.
Cons:
- Yes Sun Protection is a Must: The AHAs as well as the eco-acid compounds tend to sensitize the skin towards the ultraviolet rays of the sun requiring one to wear sun glass or stay indoors during the hot period of the sun.
- Takes Time to See Results: Chemical exfoliation is a bit slow in onset and hence shows that there is a great risk of having to take or wait for even several weeks before any changes are seen.
- Risk of Use: Chemical Exfoliants or products having scrub muscles in them can cause reactions resulting to redness or peeling of the skin, injury especially for sensitive skin.
Conclusion: Finding the Best Exfoliant for Your Skin
As for now, your choice of the both components inches closer to the notion that skin care is not simply a luxury, but a necessity. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and in some cases, both may be used at different intervals with great benefits. Regardless of whether you use a gritty treatment or a hormonal treatment, regular exfoliation is required in order to keep the skin youthful.
