rub something gritty over the skin, blood flow
to the surface is increased but, while a slight
pinkish glow is good, it should subside pretty
quickly. If it doesn’t, the type of ingredient you
are using is probably too harsh for your skin.
It is also wise to avoid exfoliants that contain
nut shells, seeds or sand, as these are too
scratchy and unevenly shaped to safely remove
dead cells from the skin. In fact, some can cause
micro-tears in the epidermal layer which leaves
the skin open to irritants, bacteria and infection.
If you feel that a physical scrub is too harsh
for your face, try it on the body. The skin here
is hardier and can withstand something more
intense or gritty in texture.
The Case for Chemicals
Ask any dermatologist which method of ex-
foliation is better and they will tell you that
chemical exfoliants will always provide more
sophisticated results. This is because, instead
of causing trauma to the skin, they dissolve
the bonds holding dead cells onto the surface
– making them easier to remove – while giving
the skin’s natural cell renewal processes a kick
up the proverbial.
While they might sound scary, chemical exfo-
liants are simply acids and enzymes (sourced
from fermented fruit) but, unlike physical ex-
foliants, they require a little more knowledge
and consideration in order to use them prop-
erly. AHAs work the majority of their
skin-smoothing magic at the surface and are
great for treating acne scarring and discolour-
ation; BHAs can penetrate the pores to remove
cells that are causing blockages and pimples;
and enzymes target the outer layer of dead cells
and are much gentler on the skin than acids,
making them ideal for sensitive complexions
and for tackling dullness.
The key to getting the smoothest, glowiest skin
with chemical exfoliants is to be conservative.
Start with products that contain a low concen-
tration of acids and use them sparingly
throughout the week before building up grad-
ually – never go in with a daily, high-strength
product straight away as your skin won’t know
what’s hit it.
ONES TO TRY
1) For breakout-prone skin use the OSKIA
Micro Exfoliating Balm to gently buff away
dead cells and debris. It uses gentle micro-gran-
ules to remove cell build-up and contains
bacteria-busting prebiotics to keep problem
skin clear.
2) For stubborn sun damage apply the glo-
Therapeutics 10% Glycolic Cream to clean skin
in the evening, a couple of nights a week, to
brighten darks spots and smooth away fine lines.
3) For removing dry, flaky skin try some-
thing specifically designed for removing heavy
cell build-up, like the DCL New World Col-
lection AHA Resurfacing Lotion 20. It’s pret-
ty strong so avoid it if you are new to AHAs
like Glycolic Acid.
4) For general glow-boosting go for some-
thing mild and conditioning that can be used
every day after cleansing, like the
Exuviance SkinRise Bionic Tonic
facial pads.
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ISSUE #04 | 2017 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 7