The Best Exfoliator for Every Skin Type
You’ll be glowing in no time, girl. (Photo: Shutterstock)
We all know that exfoliation is the key to glowing skin. While a scrub was probably your first foray into this classic beauty ritual, what you may not know is that there are actually tons of different types of exfoliators out there—and the one you pick should be based on your skin type. Otherwise, you risk irritating your complexion instead of getting beautiful results, says Rebecca Kleinerman, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Here’s how to the choose the perfect one for you.
Dry to Sensitive Skin
Most scrubs are too harsh for you. Instead, use gentle chemical exfoliants like natural enzymes and low percentage alpha hydroxy acids once a week. These formulas work by sloughing dead cells without the use of abrasive friction.
Product pick: Tatcha Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder ($65, tatcha.com)
(Photograph courtesy of Tatcha)
Normal to Oily Skin
Manual exfoliation (i.e. rubbing your skin to remove dead cells) is ideal for your skin. Kleinerman recommends using a sonic brush, which you can combine with a gentle cream cleanser, to avoid irritation and reap the most rewards. Do this two to three times a week for the perfect amount of skin renewal.
Product pick: Instrumental Beauty Sonic Touch Cleansing System ($35, instrumentalbeauty.com)
(Photograph courtesy of Instrumental Beauty)
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Your pores crave more exfoliation than any other skin type and can tolerate much more, too. Try daily mechanical exfoliation with a washcloth or sonic brush in tandem with a cleansing product, like a charcoal wash that extracts and cleans out pores, says Kleinerman.
Product pick: Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser ($10, yestocarrots.com)
(Photograph courtesy of Yes to)
Aging Skin
Glycolic acid leave-on creams can make skin look brighter and more even, while at the same time stimulating a process called “collagenesis” that plumps up skin to improve the appearance of fine lines, says Kleinerman. You can use these creams nightly or every couple of days, depending on how sensitive you are.
Product pick: Exuviance Glycolic Expert Moisturizer ($45, neostrata.com)
(Photograph courtesy of Exuviance)
Dark Spots or Pigmentation Issues
“Combination products with kojic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, and licorice help exfoliate skin while improving pigmentation,” says Kleinerman. Look for products that contain all four of those ingredients and use consistently, daily or every other day, for best results.
Product pick: Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Over Night Leave On Peel ($14, amazon.com)
(Photograph courtesy of Garnier)
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By Grace Gold
