The secret to good skin? It helps every skin care concern under the sun; acne, oily t-zone, dark spots, loose skin, wrinkles, rough texture and uneven skin tone. But with so many options, where do you start and which one is right for you?
Cliff Notes:
Chemical - a liquid acid that eats away dead skin.
Manual - a scrub that lifts off dead skin.
Spoiler alert: One is BETTER than the other for certain skin types.
Exfoliation is #1 for healthy and younger-looking skin. Skin cell turnover slows as we age. That sweet, soft baby skin is because their dead skin is shedding naturally at a rapid rate. As we age, it needs a little (or a big!) push to go.
Chemical.
This is the use of acids and enzymes, such as herbal or fruit enzymes, alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs {like lactic or glycolic} and beta hydroxy acids BHAs such as salicylic acid. Before you let this word totally freak you out, don't panic! They can actually be much more gentle than you think and are usually recommended for more sensitive skin types over manual exfoliation.
Mini at-home Peel.
The Superfood - Organic Papaya is packed with vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene and supports cell regeneration. It minimizes lines and wrinkles and has an antioxidant effect. It contain AHA acids which bring back the radiance of the skin with a fine peeling effect! We suggest using it every other night as a mini at home peel.
Daily Smooth & Clear.
Alcohol- free toner with lactic and citric acids wipes away oils, debris, makeup and dead skin cells with maximum effectiveness. It controls shine, rids breakouts and reduces the appearance of pores, keeping your skin looking fresh. This is a toner with purpose, so if it starts to sting, switch to every other night.
Glycolic Acid Quickie.
I like to keep this one in my shower and use it when I shave my legs. This gentle renewal of the skin surface contains 3% natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) staring glycolic acid. Pineapple extract and Grape seed extract dissolve clogged pores and dead skin cells are removed from the surface. Even after the first application, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced and skin looks firmed and even. Use only a couple times per week and it only stays on for 2-3 minutes!
In short, because these do not "scrub" the skin, they do not cause inflammation or further irritation making them ideal for acneic, breakout-prone, rosacea and sensitive skin types. Make sure to always apply SPF daily to avoid further skin damage from the sun and pollutants.
Mechanical.
This type of exfoliation is physical and causes smoothing by using a hard substance to manually remove dead skin cells. There's everything on the market from broken walnuts (I'm looking at you, St. Ives) to microbeads that pop. Rule of thumb: nothing over a sandy texture when it comes to your face!
Hydrating Scrub.
Utilizing rice powder, this creamy scrub soothes skin and makes it radiant. Best to use on dry skin or when seasons change to cooler, drier temperatures. It has botanical extracts and several essential oils creating a powerhouse of nourishing and invigorating benefits for your skin.
Bamboo Brightener.
This one kind of cheats. Its a 3 in 1 mud mask, enzyme mask and manual scrub - and that's why its a best seller. Finely ground bamboo thoroughly removes keratinized upper skin cells and impurities, giving the skin a radiant and refreshed look. At the same time, China Clay absorbs excess sebum production, refines the pores and the skin’s surface, promoting a smooth and clear complexion. Best for oily/combination skin.
When looking for a mechanical exfoliator, always look for natural types of granules and "fine" wording in the description. Resilient, thick, rough and mature skin will benefit most from this type of exfoliation, but even healthy skin needs a weekly polish.