AHA-BHA-WHAT?! Exfoliation for beginners ✨

Want to start exfoliating? Here’s a quick guide.

𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲?

You don’t. Considering your skin renews itself every month, exfoliation isn’t necessary. However, it can be an additional step in your skincare routine to help you attain glowing skin. It’ll help products penetrate better and also help clear out clogged pores for more clear skin.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝘀 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Chemical exfoliators use acids to get rid of skin cells. I’d like to think of it as buring the shit off your face. On the other hand, physical exfoliators use abrasion to remove the top layer of your skin. Of course, chemical exfoliators penetrate deeper and yet are gentler.

A quick rundown on the best types of exfoliants for your skin type:

✨𝗔𝗛𝗔: Best for dry skin. The AHA dissolves the glue that binds your skin cells together, promoting cell turnover. Lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, and mandelic acid are all examples of AHAs.

ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ﹕I enjoy the Pixi Glow Tonic ($31) for glowy skin and I’m absolutely obsessed with the Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment ($195) — it makes my skin glow like no other 🥹

✨𝗕𝗛𝗔: Best for oily skin. BHA is great to penetrate the pores and dissolve the shit inside. BHA usually pertains salicylic acid, which is found in many anti-acne products.

ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ﹕The Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid ($20.30) is my current favourite (it’s affordable too) and the Glow Recipe Watermelon BHA + PHA Pore-Tight Toner ($54) is another good one.

✨𝗣𝗛𝗔: Best for sensitive skin. PHA has larger molecules, so it won’t penetrate as deeply, meaning there’s less of a chance for irritation.

ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ﹕I’m currently enjoying the Parnell Cicamanu Cotton Clear Pads ($36) which are infused with cica to calm and manuka honey to nourish. The EqualRXN PHA Oat Milk Serum ($42.90) is also a cult classic and makes skin smooth without the irritation.

✨𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

If you like using physical exfoliators, there’s nothing wrong with it. Just do what’s best for you. Nonetheless, be mindful of micro-tears in skin when it comes to more abrasive materials like walnut shells and coffee grounds.

ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ﹕The only physical exfoliator I will ever use is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ($103). It is both a physical and chemical exfoliator, but so incredibly gentle. It has papain extract and rice grounds, alongside salicylic acid to remove impurities.

Makes my skin feel so smooth after!

Be careful not to over exfoliate. It is best to exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week, though once a week with both AHA and BHA works splendidly for my combination skin.

Also be mindful that you’re not using too many exfoliating products in one routine!

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