We’ve all heard a lot about the art of exfoliation. However, there are a lot of contrasting opinions about it. As far as upsides go, there are indeed many benefits to exfoliating your face. The first is that it helps to unclog pores, which is just what you need if your skin’s feeling a bit congested. Dead skin cells and sebum are two of the most common causes of imperfections like whiteheads, blackheads, breakouts and even acne, which none of us want. As well as this, exfoliation is also great at evening out your skin tone. Hyperpigmentation, uneven texture and acne scars are dermal battles a lot of us face everyday and, by giving your skin a gentle scrub from time to time, it helps to not only boost circulation but also stimulate skin cell turnover, both of which go towards improving the appearance of your complexion overall.
Another positive aspect of exfoliation is that, by removing the barrier of unwanted debris (i.e. dirt, skin cells, etc), it can help to clear the way for any products that you put on your face afterwards, which enables them to penetrate deeper into the skin. That said, it’s definitely worth noting that you should never go overboard with exfoliation. Too much can result in sensitivity, irritation, redness and inflammation. If your skin is on the drier side or naturally prone to sensitivity, try not to make your exfoliation sessions too regular. Inflammation is known to age the skin, and being too aggressive and frequent with whatever method you use to exfoliate your skin can cause this. Depending on just how sensitive your skin is, some people like to give their face a gentle scrub once per week. Others stick to doing this once per month. The best rule of thumb when exfoliating is: less is more, pay attention to how your skin handles it and back off if you need to.
There are many methods that you can use to exfoliate your face. The two main types are: physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation, otherwise known as manual exfoliation, relies on utilizing a gently abrasive sponge, scrub, skincare product or dermal treatment to target the skin, whereas chemical exfoliation typically relies on a chemical, whether synthetic or natural, to exfoliate your face. These can include chemical peels and even fruit acids. ‘Chemical’ doesn’t necessarily mean chemical – it can refer to the reaction that happens on a chemical level, as in what occurs when a product is applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells.
This moves us onto AHAs and BHAs. AHAs stand for alpha hydroxy acids and BHAs stand for beta hydroxy acids. It’s quite common to see AHAs and BHAs in leave-on exfoliating products. AHAs are water soluble acids that are designed to target the surface of the skin. This is why they’re often a popular choice for those with skin that’s either sun-damaged or on the drier side since they can also assist with boosting various moisturizing components in the dermis. BHAs, on the other hand, are made to treat the skin’s deeper layers. BHAs are oil soluble rather than water soluble, which is why they’re great at unclogging pores (especially on oilier skin types), and tackling blemishes, large pores and bumps. Since they can have quite a soothing effect on the skin, they’ve also been said to be effective on those suffering from sensitivity or dermal issues like rosacea and redness. Take note, however – the majority of dermatologists typically take a stance against applying both an AHA and a BHA at the same time. This is due to a few factors, the main ones being: dermal sensitivity, pH levels, and the acid percentage in certain exfoliation products. Because everyone’s skin can react differently, which can mainly be attributed to their varying pH levels and amount of dermal sensitivity, combining two products which may also have different concentrations of acid in them means that just how an individual will react to them is increasingly hard to predict. Therefore, it is advised to avoid such potential irritation and use either an AHA or a BHA at any one time. Additionally, it is worth being aware that, because both these exfoliants are designed to target the skin at different levels, using both at once can prove to be too much for the delicate tissue of your face and therefore this can increase dermal sensitivity and cause redness, irritation, dryness and even burns in the worst case scenario.
A nice scrub can do wonders for your skin, but some can do more harm than good. When it comes to face scrubs, many dermatologists warn against using scrubs that consist of large granules. Large granules often means that the particles are irregular in shape, which can put additional stress on your skin by increasing your risk of experiencing micro-tears. So, that being said, when looking into a face scrub, ensure that you choose something with fine grains to ensure gentility and minimal dermal damage risk.
Anti-aging dermal treatments like dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are two types of exfoliation that involve removing one or more layers of skin to eliminate imperfections. As such, they are classed as quite intensive exfoliation methods, and are therefore not for everyone. If you’re looking to alleviate congested skin rather than eradicate wrinkles or scars, these might not be the methods for you. Otherwise, give them a go. If you’d like to read more about dermal treatments, visit our Dermal Treatments page.
When looking for an exfoliation method, some prefer something as simple as an exfoliating sponge. There is one particular type that has come to the fore in recent years, and that is the humble konjac sponge. Konjac sponges are constructed from the root of konjac plants, which are native to Asia, more specifically to the province of Yunnan in China. This type of facial sponge is porous and has a rubbery texture when wet. They are suitable for all skin types, but are especially endorsed for those with oilier complexions including those who are acne-prone. Konjac sponges are gentle on the face and can help to both unclog pores and cleanse the skin without the irritation you’d expect from more abrasive products. Though konjac sponges can be used on sensitive skin, it’s recommended to use them with caution at first to avoid any potential irritation.
If you’re interested in finding out more about skin types and how to best treat them, visit our Skin Types page.