SKINCARE 101- EXFOLIATERS

Jiya Grover
May 31, 2020
4 min read

What Is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is a skin-care technique where you remove dead cells from the top layer of your skin.

Why Do We Exfoliate?

Over time, due to unprotected sun exposure and age, skin’s ability to exfoliate, or shed the buildup of dead, skin slows down. The not-too-pretty effects can be mitigated simply by adding an AHA or BHA exfoliates to your routine. And for many people, the difference is visible overnight also it helps in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, clarifying dull, uneven skin tone, smoothing rough, bumpy skin, unclogging pores, increasing hydration

How often should we exfoliate?

Physical exfoliation should not be done more than 3 times a week as well as chemical exfoliation. Some chemical exfoliaters can be used every day, but then it totally depends on your skin type and concerns. Some people do well exfoliating with AHA or BHA twice a day, whereas others find that once a day or every other day is the perfect balance. Note how your skin responds, and adjust accordingly.

Types of exfoliaters

1. Chemical exfoliants

2. Physical exfoliants

Chemical exfoliants are AHA, BHA, and PHA. These are really light and gentle acids. These un-glue the dead skin off your face, even out your skin tone. These are far more advance d and better than physical exfoliation also give a better result. Most people believe that their skin will get burn or peel off but that is not the case. They help with fine lines, texture etc.

AHA- this stands for alpha hydroxy acids. they are derived from natural components, lactic acid is derived from milk and the lightest acid, glycolic acid is derived from sugar and is relatively stronger. They are 2 of the most popular ingredients seen in skincare nowadays. AHAs are more hydrating and have more research showing their effectiveness in diminishing visible signs of sun damage. They work on the skin’s surface, really good for people with dry and sensitive skin.

Uniloc mixify skin glow serum, add to on your palms, rub and apply

The Ordinary glycolic acid 7% toning solution, put some on a cotton pad and rub all across the face.

Sugandha AHA serum, add to on your palms, rub and apply

BHA- this stands for beta hydroxy acids. They are synthetically derived and is better known as salicylic acid. These not only work on the surface of the skin but also seep deeper in the pores, unclogging them and making the skin healthier and also helps to get rid of blemishes, acne, bump making the skin clearer. This is why is great for people with oily and acne prone skin.

Uniloc mixify anti acne serum serum, add to on your palms, rub and apply

Sugandha BHA serum, add to on your palms, rub and apply

PHA- this stands for poly hydroxy acids. They are relatively newer. They don’t penetrate into the skin, instead they work exclusively on the top layer of the skin without disturbing the delicate layers that lie beneath. They do not irritate the skin at all, and if you have very sensitive skin or AHA or BHA are too harsh on your skin then PHA is great for you.

Physical exfoliants are facial scrubs, most are too harsh and abrasive; they can cause tiny tears that damage skin over time, even if that damage isn’t immediately visible. Even the best scrubs, while they do have benefits, can’t produce the same results as an AHA or BHA exfoliant. They are not the best. Personally I feel like these granular exfoliants are too harsh and old school, there are so many better products for you to use.

Wishful Yo enzyme scrub, add water, scrub and wash off

Why physical exfoliators are bad ?

People often believe their skin isn’t being damaged unless it shows signs of irritation, and that scrubbing with natural ingredients can’t be harmful. But neither is true. Not all scrubs are bad for your skin, but most are. Any scrub that scratches your skin compromises its surface by leaving tiny tears; those lead to sensitivity, and, eventually, the visible signs of aging you’re trying to offset in the first place. Abrasive ingredients, even if they’re natural, can be damaging—though your skin might not show it right away. The stiff bristles of many cleansing brushes have the same negative impact on skin’s vulnerable surface. Soft cleansing brushes are the exception, but even those are best used as an extra cleansing step, not as a replacement for a well-formulated AHA or BHA exfoliant. Scrubs simply don’t work as deeply or effectively as AHA and BHA exfoliants, nor do they offer the same skin-transforming benefits.

Which type of exfoliator is good for your skin type ?

BHA is good for people with oily, acne prone skin as it penetrate deeper into the skin and also good for people with redness and rosecea. AHA is good for people with dry, normal or sensitive skin as it enhances that natural moisture of your skin. PHA is even gentler and is good for all skin types especially for people with very sensitive skin.

How to use exfoliators?

Spin brush should be used in conjunction with your cleanser. Then for chemical exfoliators, you take a cotton pad, soak it with the product then rub gently all across your face and neck avoiding they eye area or just rub it in your plams and pat it on the skin. Note- do not use any exfoliator on woded or broken skin.