Exfoliating is a really important step in your skincare routine. Getting rid of dead skin leaves your skin brighter, smoother, and more even. Learning the difference between physical (manual) and chemical exfoliation has improved my skin greatly. Before I knew there were different kinds of exfoliation I was only using physical exfoliants, which come in the form of scrubs. Physical exfoliants are great, but I knew my skin needed more. Chemical exfoliants come in the form of AHA's (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA's (beta hydroxy acid).
Common AHA's are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. AHA's are considered humectants, which mean they lock in moisture, so if you have dry skin look for products with AHA's. Make sure your skin is clean and bare before you apply an AHA.
BHA's work to clean out your pores from dirt and oil, which makes them great for oily skin. Salicylic acid is a BHA and it works really well for oily, acne-prone skin. I use a salicylic acid peel and it works really well with my oily skin. I also use an AHA exfoliant after my toner. If you use chemical exfoliants you have to use sunscreen, because AHA's and BHA's make your skin really sensitive to light. Using chemical exfoliants without sunscreen will result in the opposite of what you want.
Chemical peels are exfoliants that you only need to use once a week, or once a month depending on the type of peel. There are many different types of chemical peels, but I have only used four kinds: salicylic acid, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid. Salicylic acid is the best one for oily skin and there is minimal peeling. Chemical peels are amazing for acne because, as I said earlier, they penetrate deeper into your skin. I recommend salicylic acid 15% peel for beginners with oily, acne-prone skin. If you have dry skin mandelic, glycolic, and lactic peels will work better for you. If you experience a breakout after a peel do not be alarmed, this is a process called purging.
Here are links to some scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and chemical peels:
Common AHA's are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. AHA's are considered humectants, which mean they lock in moisture, so if you have dry skin look for products with AHA's. Make sure your skin is clean and bare before you apply an AHA.
BHA's work to clean out your pores from dirt and oil, which makes them great for oily skin. Salicylic acid is a BHA and it works really well for oily, acne-prone skin. I use a salicylic acid peel and it works really well with my oily skin. I also use an AHA exfoliant after my toner. If you use chemical exfoliants you have to use sunscreen, because AHA's and BHA's make your skin really sensitive to light. Using chemical exfoliants without sunscreen will result in the opposite of what you want.
Chemical peels are exfoliants that you only need to use once a week, or once a month depending on the type of peel. There are many different types of chemical peels, but I have only used four kinds: salicylic acid, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid. Salicylic acid is the best one for oily skin and there is minimal peeling. Chemical peels are amazing for acne because, as I said earlier, they penetrate deeper into your skin. I recommend salicylic acid 15% peel for beginners with oily, acne-prone skin. If you have dry skin mandelic, glycolic, and lactic peels will work better for you. If you experience a breakout after a peel do not be alarmed, this is a process called purging.
Here are links to some scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and chemical peels: