Scrubs & Exfoliators | Face Scrubs

A good facial exfoliator is an absolute skincare essential. Although there are many different formulas to choose from, each one has been developed to gently remove dead skin, leaving your skin refreshed, rejuvenated, and glowing.

Whether you're looking for a smoother texture, a more even tone, or to combat specific skin concerns, facial exfoliators are a must-have on any bathroom shelf.

There are many different methods and products you can use to exfoliate, so it's important to find what works best for your skin type.

Why should I exfoliate?

Exfoliation is a great way to help your skin along with desquamation (the active process in which our skin is shed and replaced naturally) to promote healthy cell turnover.

Exfoliation is the process of gently scrubbing away dead skin. Normally, these cells are shed away naturally, making room for new, healthy skin to take their place.

However, there are a few factors such as ageing, hormonal fluctuations and lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet) that can disrupt or slow down this process and cause dead skin to accumulate on the skin's surface leaving it looking dull and sallow.

In addition to this, we start to attract all sorts of dirt and debris to our faces all throughout the day, from dust, pollutants, or even tiny particles in the air. If this build-up of dirt and dead skin is not regularly sloughed away, this can affect your complexion and even contribute to breakouts.

That's why it's important to exfoliate regularly to remove these impurities and reveal the healthy, glowing skin underneath.

What does exfoliation do for your skin?

There are two main types of exfoliators available – physical and chemical.

A physical exfoliator (or scrub) will usually contain very small abrasive particles like grains or seeds which help to slough away dead skin and debris gently. These workhorses physically slough away dead cells, leaving fresh, smooth skin underneath.

They come in various textures, from fine to coarse, and are great for giving your skin an immediate polished feel. As the skin on the face is very delicate, you should try a facial exfoliator with extremely fine, rounded grains.

While they make for a satisfying clean, overusing physical scrubs or applying too much pressure while massaging can lead to sensitivity or redness. Because of this, it's generally recommended to use a gentle face scrub no more than a couple of times a week.

Chemical exfoliants are also super effective for speeding up the process of cell turnover. There are two main types of chemical exfoliants: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

Unlike facial scrubs, which use abrasive particles to physically buff away dead skin, chemical exfoliants work by breaking down the bonds between skin cells, allowing them to be shed more easily. They're particularly beneficial for addressing specific skin concerns and can contribute to a smoother, brighter complexion.

Remember, though, balance is key. You don't want to go overboard and strip your skin of its natural defences. Depending on your skin type and the products you're using, exfoliating a couple of times a week could be the sweet spot.

FAQs

What is the difference between a scrub and an exfoliator?

As we’ve covered above, a scrub is just one kind of exfoliator. There are a number of different types of exfoliators available, including konjac sponges, mechanical brushes and tools, fruit enzymes, AHAs and BHAs. In essence, all scrubs are exfoliators but not all exfoliators are scrubs.

Scrubs offer immediate tactile results and a feeling of smoother skin right after use. They're great for a quick refresh and can provide a satisfying scrubbing sensation.

A scrub such as the Ayumi Turmeric Face Scrub is usually cream-based, with the tiny particles inside it. This one is packed with bamboo powder to create the exfoliating effect, as well as papaya extract, avocado oil, shea butter, argan oil and bergamot oil to leave skin clean and smooth.

What you put into your scrub is important too, and a charcoal face scrub is in high demand. The Dr Organic Charcoal Face Scrub contains activated charcoal which eliminates dirt and impurities, giving a cleansing effect and leaving the skin feeling invigorated.

How often should I exfoliate my skin?

How often you should exfoliate really depends on your skin type, the type of exfoliant you're using, and how sensitive it is.

In most cases, two to three times a week is usually the maximum that most people’s skin can tolerate.

Over-exfoliation can lead to sensitivity, redness, and disruption of the skin's natural barrier, so it's important to find the right balance for your skin's needs.

Even if you do not have typically sensitive skin, it’s always best to start with a lower frequency and gradually increase if your skin tolerates it well.

However, there are now some great products such as the Vitaskin Vitamin C Gentle Daily Exfoliator which are gentle enough to use more regularly. This product combines vitamin C with sweet orange and kiwi seed oil, to both help give your skin a boost and a glow.