Exfoliation is an important step in your skincare routine and helps create a smoother complexion. But how often should you actually use a facial exfoliant? You'll find the answer to that and other useful information about exfoliation here.
How Often: Facial Exoliants
For best results, you should use a facial scrub no more than once or twice a week. When it comes to exfoliants, more isn't always better – using them too frequently can lead to irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you should be even more careful and only use scrubs every 10 to 14 days.
Why Is Facial Exfoliation Important?
Removal of Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, resulting in a smoother-looking complexion. Chemical exfoliants, such as those containing salicylic acid (BHA), can penetrate deep into the skin layers and remove dead skin cells from the pores. AHA acids, on the other hand, work on the skin's surface, giving it a more radiant complexion.
Promoting the Skin Renewal Process
AHA acids in particular are known for their collagen-stimulating properties, stimulating skin renewal and thus encouraging the formation of new skin cells.
Improved Absorption of Serums and Creams
Regular exfoliation improves the absorption of other active ingredients in serums and creams.
Refinement of The Skin's Appearance
Salicylic acid (BHA) is particularly effective at dissolving oil and drawing excess sebum from the pores. Regular use can visibly refine the complexion.
Improved Blood Circulation in The Skin
Especially through the friction during mechanical facial scrubs, these stimulate blood circulation.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face Depending on Your Skin Type?
Oily Skin
Oily skin benefits particularly from oil-soluble chemical peels containing BHA, which reduce the symptoms associated with oily skin. These peels remove excess sebum from the pores and can thus visibly refine the complexion.
If you have oily skin, you can use a scrub once or twice a week.
Normal Skin
Regular exfoliation can be very beneficial even for normal skin. Dead skin cells are gently removed, leaving the skin feeling much smoother.
If you have normal skin, you can use a scrub once a week.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can develop a lot of dead skin cells, making it appear uneven. Regular exfoliation can counteract this. Dry skin usually needs exfoliation once a week.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you should be a little more careful with scrubs and active ingredients. Ideally, use a scrub only every two weeks – at most once a week, but you should also carefully observe your skin's reaction.
Difference Between Exfoliants and Scrubs
There are two types of peels: mechanical scrubs and chemical esxfoliants.
Mechanical scrubs
Mechanical scrubs use small particles to remove dead skin cells through physical friction. Coarse scrubs use larger particles to smooth skin texture but are not suitable for sensitive skin.
Chemical exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants, such as fruit acid peels, use acids to chemically dissolve dead skin cells and can penetrate deeper into the skin than mechanical peels.
AHA acids are ideal for dry skin or skin showing the first signs of aging. BHA acids are ideal for oily, acne-prone, and large-pored skin.
However, there is still a big difference between chemical peels that you can easily use at home and a professional fruit acid peel treatment that you can have done in a beauty salon or by your dermatologist.
The latter are significantly more concentrated and are used for severe acne scars or acne. These are also administered much less frequently, usually at intervals of several weeks.
Enzyme exfoliant
Enzymatic peels use plant-based enzymes to gently remove dead skin cells. Gentle enzymatic peels are ideal for very sensitive skin.
Chemical peels (AHA/BHA) and enzyme peels can often be used twice a week (depending on skin type) because they are gentler than mechanical peels. However, peels with mechanical particles should only be used once a week .
By the way: Scrubs aren't just for the face. With special formulas, you can also exfoliate your body for smoother, more even skin, for example on your legs. The perfect preparation for hair removal or a self-tanning session!
Recommended Exfoliants for Great Results
NERDS. – 12% AHA Liquid Exfoliant
16,90 €
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Paula's Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
39,00 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 39,00 €
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Geek & Gorgeous – Porefectly Clear
7,90 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 7,90 €
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Transparent Lab – AHA Smoothing Body Lotion
26,90 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 26,90 €
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Paula's Choice – 2% BHA Body Spot Exfoliant
39,00 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 39,00 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Signs that You're Exfoliating Your Face Too Often
- Redness
- Irritations and irritated skin
- Dryness and tightness
- compromised skin barrier
Caution is advised when using exfoliants, as excessive exfoliation can damage your skin barrier or lead to irritation and dryness. In such cases, it's important not to remove dry skin flakes with exfoliants, as this often only exacerbates the problem.
Here you should use mild and barrier-strengthening products that soothe your skin, moisturize it and relieve irritation.
The Correct Use of Facial Scrubs
You should only use scrubs on healthy skin and not on sunburned skin or immediately after sunbathing. Otherwise, this would irritate your skin too much.
When using chemical peels, start with clean, dry skin – moisture can intensify the peeling effect and thus promote irritation. Then, according to the package instructions, put a few drops in your palm and apply the peel evenly to your skin, avoiding the eye area.
For best results, apply a mechanical scrub to moistened skin on your face, neck and décolleté and massage it in using gentle, circular motions.
After a facial scrub, the skin is more sensitive than usual, so subsequent skincare products should not contain irritating ingredients . Apply a rich and soothing moisturizer to support skin regeneration.
As a final step, you should definitely use sunscreen, as peels make your skin more sensitive to light.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it helpful! Please let me know if you have any further comments or questions.
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