Exfoliating Cleansers for Acne

Exfoliation is often essential to maintain clear and smooth skin. Exfoliating cleansers combine the benefits of both cleaning and refreshing the skin while also removing dead skin cells for a bright complexion.
 
Many people like to use face scrubs as part of their skin care routines. The tricky thing about exfoliation is it can either work wonders for your skin, or it can destroy your skin barrier. While cleansing is a crucial step in any daily skincare regimen, exfoliation is also essential to maintain clear and smooth skin but most people don’t need to exfoliate daily.
 
Your skin cells are constantly being renewed – this natural process typically occurs on a monthly basis. As a result, dead cells are pushed to the surface of your skin. These cells can accumulate in your pores, leading to the formation of blackheads, a dry, flaky appearance, and of course, acne. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter by sloughing off all those dead skin cells for you and even enhance how well your topical skin care products work by improving absorption.
 
But the truth is, it’s easy to overscrub. Done incorrectly, physical exfoliation can irritate your skin, causing redness, dryness, or worsening breakouts. Any scrub that contains large, irregularly shaped particles damage the skin, causing tiny microtears in its surface. Common culprits include ground up shells, fruit pits, and volcanic rock. Microtears gradually weaken the skin’s surface and make it more prone to sensitivity. With daily use, especially if you are scrubbing vigorously with these ingredients, the skin loses its ability to restore itself and look healthy. This issue is made worse if the abrasive scrub also contains an irritating fragrance, whether it’s natural or synthetic.
 
It’s essential to consider your skin type and its individual needs when choosing an exfoliating cleanser. To achieve the best results, it’s important to opt for the ingredients that work with your skin and recognize the ones to avoid. For physical scrubs, it’s best to use a dime sized amount to moist skin and gently massage in a circular motion. Make sure to be gentle because if you apply too much pressure or use too harsh a scrub you can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (additional red marks or scars.) Rinse off with water and follow up with your daily product routine
from there.
 
For physical scrubs, aim for 1-3 times per week depending on your skin’s sensitivity level and the recommendations of your esthetician. We all crave amazing clear skin but don’t overdo exfoliation, especially if you notice irritation. Sometimes a little scrubbing goes a long way.
 
Always consult your skincare specialist when it comes to the products and usage for your skin care routine but particularly with a product like a scrub, we want what’s best for your skin. Check out our BPO Scrub for an ingredient-safe designed specifically for exfoliating dead skin cells. To see if this product is right for you, give us a call at 801-800-6602 for a consultation or book an appointment online to find out more.