Exfoliating is a crucial step of a good skincare routine. Do it right, and your skin becomes softer and brighter. Do it wrongly, and your skin becomes irritated. There are different methods to get this step right, here are our thoughts on the benefits and various types of exfoliation.

What is The Function and Benefits of Exfoliation?

Our skin naturally sheds a layer of dead skin cells every 28 days or so, and new cells take over to form a healthy skin barrier. But our dead skin cells do not always leave the skin’s surface evenly. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells that do not naturally slog off. A build-up of dead skin cells that do not shed complete can cause rough, flaky patches, clogged pores, and even formation of acne.

Besides removing dead skin cells, it decongests the skin, unclogs the pores, and allows the subsequent products to penetrate the skin for better absorption.

Which Type of Exfoliator is For You?

There are 2 types of exfoliation, physical and chemical.

Physical/Mechanical Exfoliation

This is the most familiar form of exfoliation, using a product that contains ingredients that mechanically scrubs away old, dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Besides skincare products, tools such as face brushes can perform physical exfoliation as well.

The best part of a physical exfoliation is your skin looks brighter and feels softly immediately. However, overdoing it can irritate your skin and strip it of its natural, moisturizing oils, and in the long run, a more sensitized skin.

bSoul 3Action Face Scrub, a certified natural and VeganOk scrub is our favourite. The exfoliating beads are made of Jojoba Wax Grains, which gently removes dead skin cells. The Jojoba Wax Grains gradually melt to form Jojoba Oil to moisturise the skin and replace natural oils that are removed during exfoliation.

Physical exfoliation is recommended to be carried out once every 2 to 3 days, and no more than 3 times a week. If you are suffering from acne, this method of exfoliation is not recommended. It can potentially spread the bacteria all over the rest of the face, causing more breakouts.

As for the use of exfoliating tools, we do not recommend it as they are too harsh for the skin, especially delicate Asian skin.

Chemical Exfoliation

This method uses products that contain a variety of acids that dissolve dead skin cells and remove them without scrubbing action. They contain alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) or Polyhydroxy acids (PHA) When used correctly, chemical exfoliator can be less harsh on your skin. There are many types of acids for this function, such as lactic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, lactobionic acid, just to name a few.

We love bSoul Start Up Renew Gel for its well balanced formulae. It uses 2% AHA acid from Bitter Almonds, and Lactobionic Acid, both are gentle and do not irritate the skin. They also decrease breakouts and moisturize the skin. If you have acne skin, this is an exfoliator you need to have.

For Asian skin, we recommend chemical exfoliators should be used once every 2 to 3 days, to avoid thinning the skin and weakening the skin barrier.