All About Exfoliation
I don’t know about you but I love exfoliation and it’s necessary for renewing and revealing glowing skin. Unfortunately, it is one of the steps that is often misunderstood in the skin care world. I think the reason for this is due to the many different options available and it’s so easy to over-do it.
Chemical: Chemical exfoliants are acids that get rid of the bonds holding dead skin cells into our body. Think of this as a liquid product that dissolves dead skin cell bonds layer by layer. There are chemical exfoliants that we can use at home with a product like the Mandelic Super Serum or you can book a professional treatment such as a chemical peel that will remove several layers of the epidermis and may require more down time. With regular use, skin feels smoother and looks more even in tone, pores are unclogged, and signs of aging may be less apparent. Do not be tempted to overuse these, less is more.
Mechanical: At home products such as scrubs and pumice stones all involve mechanical exfoliation. It is also easy to overdo it with these and I personally prefer a chemical exfoliant. A professional Dermaplane treatment is an incredibly effective mechanical method for smoothing the surface of the skin. This is the action of physically removing dead skin cells from the surface in a gentle manner. It has the side benefit of removing fine vellus hairs so your skin will be super smooth!
Enzyme: Enzyme exfoliation is similar to chemical but has the function of eating away at skin cells like little mini Pacmen. This can be found in ingredients such as papaya or pumpkin and are generally pretty gentle and great for sensitive skin. A great at home product with enzymes is Surface Skin Retexturizer
Professional: Treatments such as laser or advanced chemical or retinol peels that are administered by a professional will be more involved and remove more layers of epidermal cells. These treatments are great for conditions involving acne, hyperpigmentation or aging skin.
At home: There are a lot of options for home exfoliation treatments and most include mechanical or a chemical method. AHAs such as the Mandelic Super Serum or enzyme such as the Surface Skin Retexturizer can be used to maintain the skin in between professional treatments. These help to keep the skin glowing and smooth and help serums, creams and makeup apply evenly. Keep home exfoliation to 2-3 times per week as excessive scrubbing or AHAs can dehydrate the skin and cause irritation and premature aging of the skin.
Curious about what method is best for your skin type? Reach out to me for your skin care consultation!