Think back to your first at-home facial exfoliation experience - did it involve a gritty, harsh scrub that left your skin red raw after? Yep, ours too.
Thankfully, for the sake of our skin barriers, the skincare industry has made massive strides and it is more commonplace to find chemical exfoliants in the place of such products. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no place left for a physical exfoliant, and this ultimately depends on your skin type, concerns, and goals.
WHAT IS PHYSICAL EXFOLATION?
To break it down, physical exfoliants generally contain granules, beads, or seeds to provide a physical scrubbing sensation on skin – this creates friction to manually remove loose and old cells. This is great for those who are looking to see more instantaneous results, with physical exfoliators stimulating circulation and giving the complexion a natural rosy glow. Research also suggests that regular physical exfoliation can encourage the production of collagen, the protein that gives skin elasticity. We recommend the Fade Out Advanced Brightening Exfoliating Facial Wash as it is gentle enough for daily use, with natural exfoliating particles working to remove impurities and congestion.
WHAT IS CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION?
Chemical exfoliants are friction-free and break down the glue that bonds these cells together, meaning these cells easily shed away. As chemical exfoliants penetrate the pores more deeply, those with breakout prone skin may find a chemical exfoliant more effective. We love the Fade Out Anti-Wrinkle Brightening Night Cream – this luxurious cream contains lactic acid which is a naturally occurring AHA that speeds up cell turnover, as well as stimulating cell renewal to improve skin texture and fade hyperpigmentation.
WHICH IS BEST?
Both chemical and physical exfoliants can have amazing results, and sometimes experimentation is the way to find out what’s best for you. The products listed are gentle enough to be used in conjunction with each other, but be careful in general not to over exfoliate – protect that skin barrier! Whichever you prefer, there’s one thing we can all agree on – exfoliation is amazing for getting the clear, glowy skin of our dreams!