Exfoliating your face and removing dead skin cells and skin renewal processes are key to a proper
skin care routine . If your skin is not properly exfoliated, it will breathe less well and absorb nutrients more easily, and aging will occur faster. Therefore, facial scrubs are an important choice, so pay more attention to their choice.
What facial scrub is best?
Skin should be exfoliated regularly and quite often. For skin exfoliation procedures at home, we recommend scrubs with acids. The choice is yours – what is your skin type, lifestyle, habits, capabilities and desires? It is important to mention that acid peeling does not damage the protective skin barrier and does not mechanically damage the skin. Regular use of acids has additional benefits – it promotes skin renewal, collagen synthesis, can even thicken the epidermis layer, brightens, evens out the complexion, reduces pigment spots and skin flaking, treats acne and can be used as a prevention of wrinkles. In small concentrations, it is convenient and safe to use at home.
Sun protection is essential
A few more important things to remember when buying and using acid scrubs:
Sun protection is mandatory when using acids, as the skin becomes more sensitive to the sun's effects - the outer layer of dead cells acts as a very low sun protection filter, say SPF 3-5. Certain acids can sensitize the skin and are not suitable for sensitive skin, so we choose milder ones suitable for sensitive skin.
Excessive use of acid-based products can acidify the skin's pH, so acid exfoliation should be used in moderation - only as much as necessary. It is important that this procedure does not become addictive.
For some women, not necessarily those with sensitive skin, acids (not all) cause an unpleasant tingling sensation, but it goes away quite quickly.
Some people are allergic to certain acids, but you can almost always rely on salicylic acid, which is suitable for sensitive skin, does not cause allergic reactions, and even has a calming effect.
What should you look for when choosing a facial scrub?
Acid concentration. In products intended for home use, the percentage of acids in the composition is usually lower. Of course, this is done for safety reasons. Typically, the concentration of glycolic, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, gluconolactone is up to 10 percent. The use of salicylic acid is limited by cosmetic regulations - up to 2 percent (3 percent in rinse-off hair products). These acids are the most popular and effective when applying chemical peeling. Chemical peels used in cosmetology offices are much stronger than products intended for home use.
The pH of the product. This is very important! If the pH of the product is too high, the acid will not work as an exfoliant. The regulatory authorities of the cosmetic industry limit the lower pH limit; the pH of the product with acid must be at least 3.5, but for the acid to effectively remove dead cells and exfoliate the skin, the pH of the scrub must be no higher than 4.0. Therefore, when buying scrubs with acids, you need to look for manufacturers' instructions regarding the pH of the product. Without finding them, you will not be sure that the product is really effective.
Skin type. We recommend using different acids for different skin types or you can choose products with several acids. It is important to know that glycolic and lactic acids (AHA acids) and lactobionic acid and gluconolactone (PHA acids) are more suitable for dry, normal skin with unclogged pores. These acids will remove the layer of dead cells, reduce flaking, brighten, even out the skin and its color. PHA acids are gentler, so they are also suitable for more sensitive skin. For oily and combination skin, deep pore cleansing is important, and only salicylic acid can do this. Therefore, for those with problems with clogged pores, acne, and excessive sebum production, I recommend using
a facial scrub with salicylic acid quite often (3-4 times a week) at home. It penetrates deeper, cleans the clogged pore itself, and also suppresses inflammatory reactions, and reduces redness. Azelaic acid is also great for solving the problems of clogged pores and smoothing the skin surface, as well as brightening and softening scars. It is perfect for sensitive skin and has a calming effect.
Skin sensitivity. If you have sensitive or allergic skin and AHA acids (lactic, glycolic) are not suitable for you or cause allergies, use PHA or BHA (salicylic) acid
on your face - they will act more gently and will not irritate the skin.
Where is the best place to buy facial scrubs?
There is no big difference where you buy it. The offer is very similar online or in beauty stores. It is always important to evaluate the composition of the product, and also take into account the price. The price can vary, it is important that
the product meets the needs of your skin and is gentle enough.
