There are two types of exfoliators
Exfoliation means removing surface dead skin cells, and there are generally two ways to go about it. Chemical exfoliants essentially dissolve the glue holding the unwanted dead skin cells on, while physical exfoliants mechanically remove them by rubbing or abrading them off, explains Neal Schultz, MD, NYC dermatologist, host of DermTV.com, and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz. Dr. Schultz and NYC-based dermatologist and founder of the skincare line, Dennis Gross, MD, both prefer chemical exfoliation. Peels and acids are an anti-aging staple because they provide both instant and long-term results, says Dr. Gross. Acids immediately remove old, dull skin, exfoliate, rejuvenate, brighten, and make skin appear younger. In the long-term, acids stimulate collagen, revealing younger, more radiant skin over time. Heres a look at what else you need to get glowing skin in just one month. (Note: Before you try a new product, its worth learning about the ingredients that can make your breakout even worse.)
The best chemical exfoliator
While our dermatologists agree that chemical is the way to go, there are a variety of chemical exfoliants to choose from. According to Dr. Schultz, the gold standard in superficial peeling agents is glycolic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid and one of the best skincare ingredients for fighting acne. (Here are skin conditions that look like acne but arent.) When properly formulated and applied, it gives you smoother, brighter, more even-toned, smaller-pored, younger-looking skinwith no downtime, no redness, no irritation, says Dr. Schultz, who has offices in Manhattan. He also underlines that chemical exfoliation gives much better, consistent, and predictable results than any form of physical exfoliation because the outcome of physical exfoliation depends on three variables that are never the same: How much pressure or how hard you rub, how long you treat any given area and the lack of uniformity of the physical exfoliating mediumbasically the consistency of the granules or loofah may not be even.
Other popular chemical exfoliators are the alpha hydroxy acids lactic acid, citric acid, and mandelic acid, plus a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid. Though there are subtle variations in how they work, they all increase cell turnover, which is the ultimate goal of exfoliation.
Try: Peter Thomas RothPeptide 21 Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads, $69, sephora.com
The best exfoliator for dry skin
If you have dry skin, which can clog pores, youre the perfect candidate for chemical exfoliation. (These habits could be drying out your skin.) Dr. Gross recommends staying away from scrub cleansers because they can be too harsh on dry skin. Instead, to avoid irritation, try chemical exfoliation with gentle alpha and beta hydroxy acids found in Ultra Gentle Daily Peels.Try: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $115, sephora.com
The best exfoliator for oily/acne-prone skin
NYC-based dermatologist, Joshua Zeichner, MD, recommends salicylic acid-based products. It removes excess oil from the skin while exfoliating dead cells from the skins surface. If you experience any dryness, then skip a night or two. (Also, check out the worst skin care advice dermatologists have ever heard.)
Try: AveenoActive Naturals Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, $20, shoppersdrugmart.ca
The best exfoliator for combination skin
Glycolic acid is the go-to in this case since it can work safely and effectively on both oily and dry skin. Its water-soluble, so it doesnt travel into the pore as much as oil-soluble salicylic acid, but it can still remove oil from the surface of the skin and exfoliate dead cells just as well, making it a great option for combination skin, explains Dr. Zeichner, who recommends SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser. Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel is also a good option in this case since youre targeting your skin with a cocktail of several acids. The blend of seven different acids such as lactic, mandelic, glycolic will target different concerns for those with a range of skin issues, explains Dr. Gross.
Try: SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser$ 47, amazon.ca
The best exfoliator for thick skin or large pores
This is the one case where Dr. Schultz would recommend considering physical exfoliation or exfoliating with a gentle chemical exfoliant like 5% glycolic acid. If you opt for the physical exfoliant, use a loofah type sponge to massage in circular motions with gentle pressure for a few minutes. Lubrication with a gentle cleanser will help avoid irritation. Try using a cleanser with exfoliating granules, but make sure you choose one with round or smooth granules, not one with sharp, hard, or angular particles like crushed nutshells, which can be too abrasive and damage skin, Dr. Schultz says. (Also, check out these myths about large pores.)
Try: Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, $50, amazon.ca
The best exfoliator for mature skin
A great exfoliator for mature skin, which is thin, dry, and weaker than young skin, is lactic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid, according to Dr. Zeichner, since it can hydrate even as it exfoliates. Lactic acid has also been shown to strengthen and actually thicken the skin foundation. (Check out the signs your face is aging faster than you are.)
Try:Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator, $102, sephora.com
The best exfoliator if you have rosacea
People with rosacea have very sensitive skin so any type of physical exfoliation is going to be potentially irritating, says Dr. Schultz, who recommends a gentle chemical exfoliant in a low concentration, like a 5% glycolic. First, test it on the front of your ear for two or three days in a row, and if theres no irritation, you can start to put it on your whole face. However, I would apply it only on your whole face every third or fourth night in the beginning, and then gradually, over a period of weeks, you can increase the frequency.
Try: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $70, amazon.ca
The best exfoliator for sensitive skin
If you have truly sensitive skin, which Dr. Schultz defines as irritated by many common skincare ingredients, then opt for products featuring lactic acid, which is less potent than acids such as glycolic and salicylic. (Here are three ways to get healthy skin this year.)
Try:Sunday Riley Good Genes, $70, amazon.ca
The best exfoliator for dull skin
When it comes to dull skin, you want to bust out the big guns. Go for higher concentrations of glycolic and/or salicylic. Lactic just wont be potent enough here, says Dr. Schultz.
Try:BeautyRX Maximum 15% Exfoliating Cream, $75 USD,beautyrx.com
Next, check out the dermatologist-approved face masks for acne.
The post This Is the Very Best Exfoliator for Your Skin Type appeared first on Best Health Magazine Canada.