Scrubbing the skin is something that we’re all familiar with but did you know that using harsh and abrasive scrubs actually irritate the skin, weaken the skin barrier and cause micro-tears? So, in 2021, we’re saying goodbye to them and saying hello to something else entirely- chemical exfoliants.
If you’re a skincare fanatic, we’re sure that you’ve heard of chemical exfoliants. You know the stuff that sounds like really complicated science but isn’t? Don’t worry, it isn’t as complicated as you think cause we’re here to simplify it.
What Are Chemical Exfoliants?
First things first, let’s understand what these skincare products really are. These use chemicals to get rid of dead skin cells and aid in cell turnover. They’re great for smoothening as well as brightening the complexion. So, if you feel like your pores are clogged and need some deep cleansing, these are the products to add to your skincare routine.
There are many different types of chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, salicylic acids etc and each one works for different skin types. So, let’s decode which one is the perfect one for you!
Which Chemical Exfoliants Should You Use For Your Skin Type?
Oily Skin
The main concern for oily skin is that the sebum glands are constantly in overdrive. This means that there is overproduction of natural facial oils which leads to clogged pores. This then causes blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts. So, for you guys, salicylic acid would be the best pick. It is oil-soluble and goes deep inside your pores to clean them off the residue oil, dirt, and debris. You can either pick a leave-on salicylic serum or toner or use a face wash with the ingredient that will mildly cleanse regularly.
Dry Skin
People with dry skin will benefit the most from exfoliators that remove dead, dull skin but also provide hydration. So, our best bet is that you should add glycolic acid or lactic acid to your skincare routine. They help reduce pigmentation and get rid of dead skin cells and flakiness on the skin. Just remember to slather on sunscreen after you use these because AHAs increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Combination To Normal Skin
How does it feel to be God’s favourite child? If you’re one of those people who have normal to combination skin then you can pretty much use all types of chemical exfoliants. You can switch between glycolic acid and salicylic acid depending on the weather and how your skin is feeling at the time.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin then you’ve gotta be very careful in finding a chemical exfoliator for yourself. It has to be one that doesn’t irritate your skin and we suggest going for mandelic acid, Azelaic acid, or PHA aka Polyhydroxy acid. These cause the least amount of irritation along with mild exfoliation.
Pro Tip: Chemical exfoliants peel off the dead skin layer and hence make the skin sensitive to sun damage so always use sunscreen after you’ve gone through this treatement.
See, it wasn’t that difficult to understand which chemical exfoliant to use, was it? In 2021, we’re promising to look after our skin well.
Also Read: Lactic acid for skin
Featured Image: Pexels
