Best Facial Exfoliators
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Best Face Exfoliators for Your Skin
The best face exfoliator is the one that suits your skin and leaves you feeling and looking your best. Here’s a look at key ingredients and how exfoliators work.
Types of Face Exfoliators and How They Work
There are two main types of face exfoliators, each with different ingredients. Knowing how they work can help you pick the best face exfoliator to align with your skin goals.
Mechanical exfoliants: These facial scrubs use abrasive ingredients, such as microbeads and sugar, to physically remove the top layer of skin. They usually work best for individuals with normal-to-oily skin. A mechanical exfoliant may be too harsh for sensitive skin or skin with current breakouts.
Chemical exfoliants: These acidic ingredients, such as alpha-hydroxy acids and butylated hydroxyanisoles, dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, so they can shed more easily. They work for most skin types but can cause irritation.
Both exfoliant types can give you an extra glow and help improve skin texture. Chemical exfoliants are usually better at removing blackheads, while mechanical exfoliants tend to produce more instantaneous results.
Exfoliating by Skin Type: How Often Is Too Much?
Even the best facial exfoliator can have a detrimental effect if used incorrectly.
If you have sensitive skin, it's best to use an exfoliator only once or twice a week. You can use your exfoliator more frequently if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
It’s often a good idea to slowly build up your exfoliant usage to gauge how your skin reacts. Skin that looks red or irritated, feels flaky and dry, starts breaking out or sunburns easily may be over-exfoliated. If that happens, take a break from your exfoliant, and concentrate on giving your skin nourishing serums and moisture as it heals.
Gentle Face Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin
The best exfoliators for faces with sensitive skin focus on gentle scrubbing action, which often means enzyme-based formulations. Products such as Cetaphil extra-gentle facial scrub have micro-fine granules and vitamins to softly refresh and soothe sensitive skin.
Also, give priority to low-acid and fragrance-free products. Skin-calming ingredients, such as oat and aloe, can help minimize redness and inflammation as you exfoliate.
Pair your gentle exfoliant with a moisturizer that can replenish and protect your skin moving forward. You may also want to explore vitamin-rich serums for extra nourishment and hydration.