Exfoliation is one of the most important parts of the skincare routine which removes dead skin cells, improves skin texture, and makes the skin glowing. However, when it comes to exfoliation, there is always a question about whether chemical or physical exfoliating scrubs are better to use. In this article, we try to have a closer look at both physical and chemical exfoliating scrubs including their differences, pros, and cons. By the end of this text, you will have a better view of each type, so you can decide which exfoliation method is the best for your skin needs and goals.
What is physical exfoliation?
Physical exfoliation is a method in which scrubs, brushes, and tools remove dead skin cells from the skin surface. The exfoliation process consists of a tool for polishing the skin and it can be applied using a brush, exfoliating gloves, and facial sponges. The ingredients in scrubs used during the physical exfoliation process are mostly sugar, salt, coffee grounds, and crushed walnut shells. This method provides a smooth and clean skin result immediately after the process is done. Therefore, physical exfoliation is a great choice for individuals who prefer to see the results right after the process.
Benefits of physical exfoliation
Here are some common benefits of physical exfoliation:
- Immediate results: As mentioned above, the physical exfoliation offers immediate smooth skin after the treatment by removing dead cells manually.
- Easy to use: The scrubs and physical tools that are used during this exfoliation process are straightforward and do not need any special technique.
- Readily available: Physical exfoliation scrubs consist of simple ingredients like sugar or salt that are available everywhere. You can make them easily at home.
- Boosts circulation: The manual massage during the physical exfoliation can boost the blood circulation in your skin, and it will result in temporary glowing skin.
Drawbacks of physical exfoliation
Besides all the positive points of physical exfoliation that are mentioned above, there are also some drawbacks to this method:
- Irritation: Excessive exfoliant usage or harsh exfoliation materials can cause skin irritation.
- Less suitable for sensitive skin: Physical exfoliation may not be an ideal option for people with sensitive skin due to the ingredients and tools that are used in this process as they can be harsh for their skin type.
- Uneven exfoliation: As the whole process is physical, it can be difficult to control the exfoliation tool(s) pressure level on the skin. This may result in uneven results after the process is completed.
- Not ideal for acne-prone skin: Physical exfoliation may worsen the acne condition in people with acne-prone skin. Manual skin exfoliation can spread the bacteria along the skin which results in inflamed acne.
What is chemical exfoliation?
Chemical exfoliation uses acids or enzymes to break down cellular bonds that hold dead skin cells. Unlike physical exfoliation which works on the superficial dead skin cells, chemical exfoliants work at the deeper level. The chemical exfoliants typically include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), and enzymes that come from natural sources like fruits. Here is a short information about each of them:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): They are water-soluble acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid that target the skin surface and they are suitable for dry or dull skin as they improve skin hydration and texture.
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): They are oil-soluble acids like salicylic acid that penetrate deeply into the skin to remove excess skin oil and debris. They also clean skin pores deeply to remove blackheads and breakouts. It is ideal for acne-prone and oily skin.
- Enzymes: Natural enzymes come from fruits like pineapple and papaya, break down dead cells gently and without harshness and they are ideal for sensitive skin.
Benefits of chemical exfoliation
Here are some of the main benefits of chemical exfoliation:
- Even exfoliation: Chemical exfoliation works evenly all over the skin to make it smoother and glowing.
- Ideal for all skin types: By selecting the right exfoliant product based on your skin type, you can expect deeply and gently cleaned skin, even for sensitive skin.
- Targeted treatments: Based on the acids and enzymes that are mentioned in this article, there are suitable chemical exfoliation products for all skin types like oily, dry, or sensitive skin.
- Promotes cell turnover: Regular use of chemical exfoliants, reduces fine lines, blackheads, and dullness.
Drawbacks of chemical exfoliation
- Results take time: By doing chemical exfoliation, unlike physical, results need more time to become visible.
- Can cause sensitivity: Overusing or using too strong chemical exfoliant products can cause skin dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
- Sun sensitivity: Chemical exfoliation makes your skin sensitive to sun exposure. Therefore using sunscreen is a must.
- Requires knowledge: For chemical exfoliation, you need to have enough knowledge about types of acids and the best one for your skin type. This can be overwhelming for beginners. So, it is necessary to consult a skincare professional to prevent any wrong product selection.
Which exfoliation method is better for your skin type?
Deciding the best exfoliation method for your skin completely depends on your skin type and status:
- For sensitive skin: Try gentle chemical exfoliants like lactic acid (AHA) or enzyme-based products.
- For oily or acne-prone skin: Try chemical exfoliation with salicylic acid (BHA) to unclog pores and reduce breakouts.
- For dry or dull skin: Try chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid to remove dead skin and improve skin hydration.
- For normal skin: Both physical and chemical exfoliation can work for normal skin types but try to keep a balance of both to the best results.
- For immediate results: Physical exfoliation offers instant results but should be used carefully to avoid damage.
How to exfoliate skin safely?
Here are the essential tips for the skin exfoliation process regardless of its type. By following the steps below, you can ensure a safe exfoliation with the best result:
- Start the exfoliating process once or twice per week. Then based on your skin need and condition, decide whether to increase or decrease exfoliation times.
- Select the right exfoliant product for your skin type and avoid harsh scrubs or strong acids.
- Use moisturizer and skin hydrating serums after exfoliation as it can make your skin sensitive.
- Exfoliated skin is sensitive to sun exposure and it can easily get damaged by sun. So, it is essential to use sunscreen with a suitable SPF level.
💡If interested, you can read about how to use face scrubs.
Conclusion
Physical and chemical exfoliation have their unique features and individuals can choose the right exfoliation method based on their skin type and goals. For an immediate exfoliation result, you can select the physical method, but if you prefer a deeper result, but do not rush to see visible results, chemical exfoliation is the right choice for you. However, it is highly recommended to consult your dermatologist for the best method and product selection. Purify Skincare Clinic in Melbourne offers free consultations, different skin treatment services such as facials, and professional skincare routine products. If you are looking for a skincare consultation, you can always book an appointment with our professionals.