Skin exfoliation: types, benefits and recommendations

The skin is the body's largest organ, and its role is to provide protection. As a result, to fulfill its primary function of protecting the body from harmful factors, it requires special care.

The skin needs deep cleansing, and exfoliation is one of the best ways to provide this care. Exfoliation is part of a skincare routine and can be an important tool for maintaining healthy skin.

In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about skin exfoliation: how to correctly integrate it into your skincare routine, what types of exfoliants exist, and what their benefits are for the skin. We also provide product recommendations suitable for each skin type.

Table of Contents

What is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells. It can be done using physical (mechanical) exfoliants, which use small particles to mechanically remove dead skin cells, or chemical exfoliants, which use enzymes or acids to break the bonds between dead skin cells.

What are the Benefits of Exfoliation?

Regular exfoliation has many benefits, from brightening skin tone to reducing acne. Exfoliation helps improve skin texture and appearance by removing dull and dead skin cells and revealing healthy ones. It can also help unclog pores and prevent the buildup of sebum and bacteria.

How to Correctly Introduce Exfoliation into Your Skincare Routine?

Exfoliation is an important step in your skincare routine. However, when done in excess, it can damage the skin's protective barrier, causing irritation.

Skin exfoliation should be introduced into the night routine, as acids make the skin more sensitive to the sun. The best time to apply exfoliating products is after makeup removal and face cleansing. Once dead skin cells have been removed, it is necessary to apply moisturizing products such as serums and creams. Always apply a product with a sun protection factor the day after exfoliation.

Types of Exfoliants: How to Choose Correctly?

There are many exfoliating products, and choosing the right one primarily depends on your skin type and its needs.

However, it is important to know that exfoliants fall into two main categories:

• Mechanical exfoliants – use small, rough, granular particles to remove dead skin cells;
• Chemical exfoliants – use enzymes or acids to break down the bonds between skin cells.

1. Skin Type

To correctly choose an exfoliating product, we must consider several factors. First, skin type is the most important aspect. Not all exfoliants suit all skin needs. For example, people with sensitive skin can opt for a delicate physical exfoliant, while people with oily or acne-prone skin may prefer a stronger chemical exfoliant.

2. Exfoliation Frequency

At the same time, it is good to consider the frequency of exfoliation. Some exfoliating products are suitable for daily use, while others should only be used a few times a week.

3. Ingredients Suitable for Skin Needs

Also, when choosing exfoliating products, we must consider ingredients suitable for the skin type and its needs. For example, people with dry skin or sensitive skin can opt for exfoliants containing moisturizing ingredients.

It is important that the chosen exfoliant is gentle and non-irritating and used according to instructions to avoid over-exfoliation and, consequently, skin damage.

A dermatologist can help us determine the best exfoliant for our skin type and needs.

What are the Best Exfoliants for the Skin?

Advantages of Physical Exfoliants

Physical exfoliants use very fine particles to remove impurities and dead cells. They can be in the form of cleansing lotions or scrubs. These can contain granulated sugar, which, in addition to removing dead cells, moisturizes the skin, as well as coarse salt or ground walnut shells, which are more abrasive. Physical exfoliants can also contain olive seeds and pumice particles, as well as some ingredients primarily used in chemical exfoliation, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and mandelic acid.

Due to their high content of microparticles, scrubs help to smooth the skin and remove impurities. At the same time, some cosmetic products designed for skin exfoliation have moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid.

Advantages of Chemical Exfoliants

Regarding chemical exfoliants, there are two main categories:

• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)
• Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs)

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are water-soluble chemical exfoliants used to improve skin texture and tone. AHAs are derived from fruits and milk and are available in a variety of concentrations and formulations. They work by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, which allows for their easy removal. This can help unclog pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone.

Alpha-hydroxy acids are usually well-tolerated and suitable for most skin types. Among the most well-known and used AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid.

Glycolic acid is one of the ingredients used in Ivatherm products:

Ivapur Gentle Purifying Exfoliant – gently exfoliates layers of dead cells without causing irritation or skin sensitization, prepares the skin for effective application of care cream, prevents inflammation, and gives the complexion a luminous and uniform appearance.

Cleansing gel with glycolic acid – removes dead cells, eliminates impurities, and restores skin luminosity without drying it out. Glycolic acid has a pH of 3.8, gently exfoliates, and accelerates cell turnover. At the same time, it increases fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, improving skin elasticity and firmness. It is used in treating acne for its exfoliating effect, in xerosis, ichthyosis, and very dry skin, where it restores the stratum corneum, intensifies desquamation, and increases the thickness of the papillary dermis.

Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble chemical exfoliants that can penetrate deeper into the pores to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells. BHAs are keratolytic agents, meaning they help break down and dissolve the protein that holds dead skin cells together. Thus, they help unclog pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone.

Beta-hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid, are suitable for people with oily skin or acne-prone skin.

Ivapur A.I. Akne-Syt Cream for acne-prone skin – deeply cleanses pores and removes dead cells that cover them.

Conclusion

Exfoliation is an important step in your skincare routine, contributing to the removal of impurities and dead cells. When done correctly and with products adequate for your skin's needs, exfoliation can help us achieve a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.