Exfoliation is a game changer. If your skin is looking dull, grey and tired, exfoliation is your ticket back to glowing, youthful skin. While it might sound simple, there is actually quite a lot to consider when choosing an exfoliant. Which type of exfoliant should I use? Is a physical exfoliant better than a chemical exfoliant? The list goes on.
Alpha-H believed in the power of exfoliants when they were still a niche concept and we have firmly cemented ourselves as a leader in the field. Over the years we have stayed true to our core belief that when you rid the skin of the dead surface cells, you create a smoother appearance with enhanced hydration and firmer skin as a result. Let’s take a closer look at why you need to exfoliate, the types of exfoliants, and which one might suit your skin needs.
Why should I exfoliate?
Did you know, at any given time your skin can have between 10 and 30 layers of dead skin? During your 20s, your skin’s natural exfoliation process slows by nearly 30%. So, when you look in the mirror each day, you’re looking at last month’s skin and last month’s damage. By the time you’re 50 or over, those cells could have been dead for more than two months.
Worse still, each time you put sunscreen, moisturiser, serum, primer, foundation or concealer on your skin, you’re applying it to dead cells. Is it any wonder that people often complain their skin looks permanently tired and dull?
Each time you exfoliate you remove a lot of those dead skin cells, boost collagen production, diminish wrinkles, shrink the appearance of pores, stimulate micro-circulation, brighten your complexion, lighten pigmentation, stimulate new cell production, improve make-up application, and allow your other skincare products to penetrate better into live skin cells where they’re needed. Exfoliation is crucial to skin health and youthful longevity. It’s the fastest step in your beauty routine and the one which will achieve the most visible results.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation
There are two main types of chemical exfoliants; Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which are water soluble and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) which are oil soluble. Glycolic Acid is one of the best known AHAs, whilst Salicylic Acid is the darling of the BHAs. It should be noted that products which contain Salicylic Acid are not suitable for use by pregnant or nursing mothers; you’ll want to look at Glycolic Acid products instead. Try - Liquid Gold. Our cult favourite Liquid Gold contains 5% Glycolic Acid formulated at a unique low pH of 2.8. This multi award-winning product has long been a favourite of the beauty elite and clinical studies showed it was able to visibly decrease the appearance of wrinkle depth, improve skin texture, and boost the skin’s moisture levels after just 20 minutes. As Liquid Gold does not contain Salicylic Acid, it is safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Manual or physical exfoliation
This variety is probably the one which immediately pops into your mind when you think about exfoliation; it involves a bead or grain which works on the skin by gently rolling over the skin’s surface to dislodge dead skin cell buildup. Manual or physical exfoliants also help to remove any dirt or debris which has built up in the “mouth” of the pore. As such, it’s a great option for people with open-pored skins who are prone to blackheads and congestion. Try - Micro Cleanse Super Scrub. Combining 12% Glycolic Acid with eco-friendly Jojoba Beads and Caffeine to harness the power of both physical and chemical exfoliants at the same time, this product mirrors the result of a professional micro-dermabrasion in just one minute, and all in the comfort of your own home.
