Physical vs. Chemical Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a necessity in a skincare routine, and there are many ways to integrate it. It helps remove dead skin cells, therefore, minimising breakouts. It fights discolouration and texture as well as the decrease of collagen production if used long-term. Physical exfoliation refers to the use of scrubs and gentle bristles. While these are a great way to soften your skin and remove dead skin cells, they can be very harsh on the face, not to say that chemical exfoliation can’t be harsh. You can deeply cleanse your skin by using acids such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs. You can also get a fruit acid peel (no peeling) or chemical peel (peeling depends on the acid and concentration) done by a professional every now and then, yet most people prefer a gentler but more regular use.

Generally speaking, for use on the face, chemically exfoliating products are recommended to avoid damage. Starting with low concentrations, using the products 1x a week and gradually increasing them usually helps avoid irritation and heavy purging. But it takes experimentation with the products, concentrations and intervals between use to find the right pattern, which can take a while.