Exfoliants - Types and Benefits

Exfoliants are skincare products that help remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing smoother and brighter complexion. They can be physical or chemical exfoliants.

Exfoliants FAQ

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What does exfoliation do?

What does exfoliating do? "Exfoliation means removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, using either a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool," explains plastic surgeon Dr Osman Bashir Tahir 1. "Your skin does shed dead skin cells, but it doesn't always get rid of them all."

What are natural exfoliants?

These natural exfoliants are all physical exfoliants. This means that by gently rubbing or massaging them on your skin, the dead skin cells can be sloughed away. Physical exfoliants are different from chemical exfoliants, which contain skin-friendly agents like alpha hydroxy acid and retinol to loosen and remove dead skin cells.

What is chemical exfoliation?

Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals in the form of cleansers, toners, serums or peels to remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants speed up cell turnover and unsticks the cellular glue (desmosomes) holding dead cells together in the outer layer of the skin. Leave-on hydroxy acids are the most common type of chemical exfoliant.

Do exfoliants really work?

"Exfoliants create a smoother, brighter complexion and allow our skincare products to be more effective as they work to remove and slough off dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which happens over time," shares board-certified dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD.

What is skin exfoliation & how does it work?

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool. Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 30 days or so. Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores.

Why is exfoliation important?

Since exfoliation promotes cell renewal, it can increase how smooth and even your skin appears. It can help your products work more effectively. Dead skin cell buildup can hinder your skin's absorption of the skin-care products you so-diligently apply.

Are Chemical exfoliants good for your skin?

Aside from this, exfoliating the skin will prompt newer and healthier skin cells to remerge, leading to visibly younger and healthier-looking skin. Chemical exfoliants can stimulate exfoliation effectively and carefully without being too abrasive, allowing various types of existing exfoliants to be incorporated into a skincare routine with ease.