by Vladimire Herard
As the season changes, so does your skincare regimen.
Gone are the challenges of dealing with hot, dry and humid summers influenced by climate change.
Armed with a line of exfoliants, facial scrubs and facial washes, you welcome autumn by purging your visage of dead skin cells, excess moisture, insect bite marks, itching and rashes.
Exfoliation can help you achieve cleaner, softer, smoother and glowing skin by cleansing, adequately moisturizing and protecting it from the sun.
The process can also assist with a variety of skin conditions and prevention. Conditions can include acne, aging, skin tone, skin texture, discoloration and ingrown hairs.
There are three basic types of exfoliants, chemicals, physical ones and polishes, all recommended by top dermatologists.
Chemical exfoliants use acids or enzymes to delve into your skin, strip it of the dead skin cell layer and remove proteins that clog your pores.
The most common acids are alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs, with glycolic acid and lactic acid, associated with milk, as prime examples, and beta hydroxy acids, also known as BHAs, which tend to refer to salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid can assist with instant peeling and is best used by consumers with acne or skin susceptible to acne. This acid is typically found in skin cleansers, chemical peels, masks and anti-acne products.
Physical exfoliants form the category most ikely to be used by consumers. They can be facial scrubs or facial washes, using harsh elements such as microbeads or powders to destroy and eliminate dead skin cells. They are ideal for oily skin.
The cleansing process of these products enables you to generate fresh new cells to render your skin more radiant and supple.
Oftentimes, exfoliants can take the form of polishes, which strike a balance between chemical and physical ones. These exfoliating powders can combine AHAs and BHAs to make easy and convenient facial cleansers.
As effective as these products are, they may not be safe when overused. As a consumer, you must take care to use them sparingly and with caution.
This warning goes for either chemical or physical exfoliants. Excessive use of these products could lead to dry, red, irritated and damaged skin.
Dermatologists tend to advise patients to use exfoliants twice a week consistently for desired results.
In fact, it’s best to consult your dermatologists before making exfoliants, physical or chemical facial scrubs and facial washes an integral part of your daily personal care regimen or beauty ritual.
This especially holds if your skin is sensitive or you are considering the safety and effectiveness of these products.
