The basic steps of skincare—cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting—are completed with exfoliation. This process, which comes in different physical and chemical forms, can be done at home using the right techniques and appropriate products. What is exfoliation, how is it done, and which ingredients should be preferred? It removes dead skin cells, gives the skin a radiant appearance, and helps prevent acne formation. We've researched it for you.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin using chemical treatments, granular peels, or various tools. This process cleanses the dead cells from the skin's surface, promoting the emergence of new, healthy cells. This treatment gives the skin a fresh, clean look and a smooth feel.
Why should we exfoliate?
When we exfoliate, our skin cells are constantly renewing themselves, and dead skin cells are completely removed. Because skin renewal slows down with age, exfoliation can help speed up the process by supporting the removal of dead cells.
What are the benefits of exfoliation?
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, revealing fresh, healthy skin cells. As the skin is cleansed of dead cells, it absorbs skincare products better, enhancing their effectiveness. Regular exfoliation reduces dullness and gives the skin a brighter appearance. It also helps open pores, reducing acne breakouts, removing dirt and blockages, and leaving the skin smoother.
How is exfoliation done?
You can easily add exfoliation to your at-home skincare routine. This process can be used not only on your face but also on your body to remove dead skin cells.
- First, start by cleaning the area where you will be applying the treatment. You can use a suitable facial or body cleanser for this.
- Next, apply your chosen exfoliating method. If you're using a physical exfoliant, apply the product by massaging it in circular motions. If you prefer a chemical exfoliation, you can use an acid-based serum or toner.
- If you have used a physical exfoliation, rinse the area with water afterward to completely remove any product.
- Finally, after all the steps are complete, nourish your skin with a suitable moisturizer.
How often should it be done?
How often you exfoliate depends on your skin type. If you have sensitive or dry skin, once a week is enough. If you have combination skin, twice a week is sufficient, and if your skin is oily, you can do it three times a week or every other day. If necessary, you can also apply it only to oily areas.
What are the different types of exfoliation?
We can talk about two main types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation tools include scrubs and dry brushes, while chemical exfoliation tools are AHA and BHA acids.
Physical exfoliation
Physical exfoliation is one of the most common exfoliation methods. It removes dead skin cells, sebum, and dirt through friction without penetrating the deeper layers of the skin. Applied with circular motions using your hands, this method is especially recommended for oily skin.
Physical exfoliating products typically contain natural granules or microparticles (plastic beads) such as sugar, salt, jojoba oil, walnuts, and apricot kernels. However, when performing exfoliation ourselves, it's important to be gentle with your skin to avoid irritation or scratching.
Chemical exfoliation
Unlike exfoliating or dry brushing, which physically remove dead skin cells, chemical peels use acids to break down old skin cells. These acids loosen the dead cells, allowing them to detach from the skin. Chemical peels are categorized into three types: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and poly hydroxy acids (PHAs).
How is exfoliation done with chemical ingredients?
AHA, PHA, and BHA are three main groups of chemical acids you might encounter during a chemical peel. These ingredients penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, targeting specific skin problems and helping to resolve them thanks to their molecular structure. If you want to have a chemical peel, you can choose specific skincare products containing the following acids, depending on your skin type and needs.
BHA
BHAs, or beta-hydroxy acids, are fat-soluble acids that, thanks to their small molecules, can penetrate the deep layers of the skin. They break down dirt and sebum accumulated in pores, eliminating the factors that cause acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Oily and combination skin types, in particular, can benefit greatly from BHA acids. Salicylic acid is a commonly used BHA for exfoliation.
AHA
AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, are water-soluble acids that remove dead cells from the upper layer of the skin. By penetrating the upper layers of the skin, they successfully perform processes such as evening out skin texture and skin tone. Commonly used AHA ingredients are glycolic acid and lactic acid. The main purpose of these ingredients is to accelerate cell renewal, making the skin look younger and smoother.
PHA
PHAs, or polyhydroxy acids, are similar to AHAs but have larger molecules and therefore cannot penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. Being gentler than AHAs, PHA acids are suitable for sensitive skin and have a much lower risk of irritation.
Things to consider when doing chemical exfoliation
When incorporating chemical exfoliation products into your skincare routine, you can follow these simple steps to prevent your skin from reacting:
- Use acid-based products slowly and gradually allow your skin to acclimate to them. You can start with twice a week and increase the frequency of use over time.
- If you have sensitive skin, start with milder ingredients like PHA. You can gradually increase the concentrations of AHA and BHA over time, depending on how your skin reacts.
- Incorporate powerful ingredients like retinol and BHA into your nighttime routine.
- Avoid overusing exfoliating acids. Excessive use can damage the skin barrier, so be gentle.
- Don't forget to moisturize your skin and protect it with SPF.