Exfoliators: The perfect remedies to combat dull skin and leave us with that glowy and radiant appearance we adore. Whether you're new to the world of exfoliators or if they're already an established part of your skincare collection, choosing the right one to accommodate your skin type and its needs is vital – but not easy.
Therefore, we've created this blogpost to answer some common doubts about exfoliating to make sure you always feel confident when reaching for yours.
Cleansing & exfoliating — why they're not the same
Don't get us wrong – both are essential parts of every thorough skincare routine, but let's establish one crucial rule before moving on: These products can't replace each other. Your cleanser works on the outermost layers of skin, ridding the surface of build-up, oil, residue make-up, and skin-pollutants to leave your top skin fresh and clean. While one cleansing daily is sufficient for most skin types, oily and breakout-prone skin can benefit from incorporating this ritual in both their AM and PM routine – just make sure you're always using a non-stripping, gentle cleanser with natural ingredients and that you aren't over-cleansing. Your exfoliator works deep within the skin layers to decongest clogged pores and cleanse the skin from within. Meanwhile, your exfoliator removes dead skin cells to reveal a healthy, radiant surface. This step should be applied to your routines 1-2 times a week, depending on your skin's needs. And before we dig into the what, when and why's of exfoliation, remember: Always listen to your skin and consult a dermatologist if you experience any uncomfortable reactions.
Should sensitive skin be exfoliated?
Again, this is not a yes or no question. Though immensely effective, exfoliations can be one of the 'rougher' treatments for the skin – which is why it's essential to take your skin type into account when choosing one. If you have sensitive skin, our Skin Perfector Seboclear might be your perfect match. Formulated with the natural and active ingredient seboclear, this gentle leave-on exfoliator deeply cleanses the skin and decongests clogged pores to leave the skin smooth, even-toned, and balanced. If you do however deal with severely and easily irritated skin, we advise that you implement an exfoliator slowly and steadily – and if your skin refuses to work with it, stick to a gentle but effective cleanser instead, like our Daily Foaming Cleanser with 100% natural cleansing actives.
Can I combat blemishes and impurities by exfoliating?
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to determine the cause of blemishes and impurities, which can make battling (and overcoming) them even harder. However, implementing an exfoliator to your routine is a great way to find out if your impurities are caused by your pores being clogged up. If you're generally dealing with oily and breakout-prone skin, we would recommend that you begin your search in exfoliators containing BHA, a.k.a salicylic acid: a fat-soluble ingredient that provides the skin with a deep peeling treatment to prevent and remove impurities. And that's exactly what our leave-on exfoliator Skin Perfector 2% BHA is composed to do. Formulated with cleansing BHA and lactic acid, this super-product effectively leaves the skin carefully rinsed and glowy. Mostly, oily skin can tolerate being exfoliated up to 2-3 times a week.
What's the difference between using an exfoliating scrub and mask?
Exfoliators come in various shapes, sizes, and types. Most exfoliators do the same, just in different ways. A facial scrub is a great initiative when you don't have all the time in the world, as they're most often rinsed off immediately, but still do an effective job at cleansing the skin. We love to use our Deep Cleansing Scrub in the shower to make sure our skin is perfectly damp before massaging the enriching ingredients in. While micrograins of volcanic rhyolite deep-cleanse the skin, Nordic oils and antioxidants leave the skin both nourished and protected.
Exfoliating masks, however, are to be left on for longer, giving the product more time to penetrate deep into the skin for a more intense treatment. Two favorites:
To achieve pure skin with less impurities: Our Deep Cleansing Mask contains both AHAs and BHAs to leave the skin thoroughly cleansed and radiant while effectively minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores.
Minimize premature signs of aging and dull skin: Our Intense Peel Mask is composed with both lactic and glycolic acids to provide the skin with an effective peeling treatment to fight dullness, diminish premature signs of aging, and boost the skin's cell renewal.
Are there any other ways to exfoliate?
A washcloth can be an effective exfoliator – and can go from a gentle to an intense treatment, depending on the material. An exfoliating glove is also a great way to remove dull and dead skin to reveal a brighter and fresher layer. And remember: The more you know, the better your chances are of making the right choice for your skin.