Exfoliating products that are acid-based are more suitable for oily, acne-prone skin in dissolving dead skin cells. You should also consider changing your exfoliator as you age, as your skin's condition may have changed.
With the help of Clinelle, we outline for you the different types of exfoliation methods and the benefits they provide for different skin types.
Mechanical exfoliation
Also known as a physical scrub, in which there are 'beads' or 'spheres' made of either ground-up shells or polymer beads that scrub against the skin's surface. Some of these scrubs may contain oils to give the scrub a smoother texture, so that the beads do not feel too harsh on skin.
However, these scrubs may not be too suitable for people suffering from acne, as the beads can cause further irritation.
Chemical exfoliation
The two most common ingredients found in these exfoliants are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Also known as Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or AHAs, these exfoliants can be found in over-the-counter formulations as well.
They are popular because they can penetrate the skin easily and dissolve the 'glue' that holds dead skin cells to new skin cells, and allows old skin cells to be washed away easily.
But AHA scrubs do have their downsides. A too-strong formulation can cause skin to become particularly sensitive to light and increase its susceptibility to sun spots, redness or 'frosting', a condition in which skin lightens to a bright white or grey colour. These types of scrubs should be used sparingly if you have very sensitive skin.
Exfoliants come in different forms, such as leave-on peels, gommage (leave-on and friction off), grains-based (or scrubs), enzymes-based, acids-based, serums and even powder.
Here are some exfoliating products that are gentle and effective:
Clinelle's Skin Smoothing Scrub
This scrub combines mechanical and chemical exfoliation for a dual exfoliating action.
Natural ingredients such as sweet almond seed and rose hip seed powder to micro-exfoliate and promote cell regeneration. It also contains papain, an enzyme derived from papaya that acts as a gentle peel to reveal softer skin and a more glowing complexion.
It also has anti-inflammatory agents such as panthenol, saccharide isometrate, a moisturising agent with powerful binding powers, soothing chamomile extract, extracts of panax ginseng root, horse chestnut, butcherbroom and hydrolysed yeast protein to condition and firm skin.
Lavender and citrus essential oil also promotes skin tissue circulation.
Retails at $15.55 at selected Watsons, Guardian outlets, major department stores and independent pharmacies.
CITRA-PEELTM Exfoliating Peel Pads
If you are suffering from skin dullness, lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, age spots and enlarged pores, you may want to try this sugar-based citric peel that helps to restore important healing and moisturizing properties in age-damaged skin.
Working in two steps, step one uses a blend of 10 per ceent citric acid that is naturally found in lemons, limes and grapefruits to micro-exfoliate skin. This works to loosen dead cells and reveal brighter, newer and more even textured skin.
Step two involves a calibrated neutralizing solution that “turns off” the citric acid to bathe the skin in nutrients and restore it to a healthy pH balance.
To use, wipe face all over with step one, avoiding the eye area and leave on skin for up to 5 minutes. Then apply step two all over that face, let dry then rinse with cool water.
GoodSkin Labs Citra-Peel retails at S$82 at all Guardian Health & Beauty stores.
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