Exfoliating was once one of my favourite aspects to my skincare regime, I used to love rubbing my skin red raw with a facial exfoliant. You may think I sound crazy, but this was the only way I could make my rough texture on my cheeks feel any softer, silly 17 year old me didn’t know what moisturising was and thought I was doing my skin a service by only exfoliating and washing my face.
Now that I’m older and wiser I understand that I was probably making my skin oilier by never adding anything to it, but only taking away, how rude of me. So when I had a skincare consultation I was finally shown the error of my ways, around a year ago I truly understood the damage I had done to my skin by never allowing it to truly regenerate, I was scrubbing too often. For a while after I was really nervous about using scrubs, now I understand that like everything in skincare, it has it’s place.
My sensitive skin only needs exfoliating around once a week or every five days, I now understand that hydrating my skin is the only way for long lasting soft texture. So below are some exfoliants, all of which I believe have a metaphorical place in my skincare collection, I do not think that one person needs seven exfoliants in their skincare collection, but it’s my burden to bear I suppose as a skincare addict.
CLEANSERS:
Exfoliating cleansers are a great dip in the metaphorical exfoliating pool, they are typically less harsh, therefore if you are a sensitive skin person, then these are probably the best option.
Obagi – Exfoliating Cleanser:
O Cosmedics – Exfoliating Cleanser:
SCRUB:
These are the most common style of product, and potentially the most harmful, avoid microbeads at all costs and be very careful that the scrub isn’t too abrasive for your skin.
Skinstitut – Glycolic Scrub:
PEELS:
Peels are some of my favourite styles of exfoliating because they remove the top layer of dead skin, and do not disturb the under layers that are not ready to be removed. They tend to be less abrasive, and harsh on the skin.
Victory – Peeling Gel:
Skinstiut – Enzymatic Micro Peel:
POWDERS:
These must be the most popular new style of products on the skincare market, they are being released everywhere, and I think they are super clever, and something a little different in my skincare collection.
Cosmedix – Purity Detox Scrub:
Dermalogica – Daily Superfoliant:
PADS:
Exfoliating pads are a fabulous quick way to exfoliate the skin, there is no water necessarily required, and I find them to be a great quick exfoliation when travelling, or even for quick prep. However, please be careful as these can be a little harsh on the skin, and like all exfoliation should be used in moderation, and avoid sensitive skin or sensitive patches of skin.
Nip & Fab – Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme:
Go To Skincare – Exfoliating Swipeys:
My personal recommendation regarding exfoliating, is to test the waters with cleansers or peels as I find they are kinder on the skin, and depending on your skins sensitivity and oil levels, ph balance, etc.
Thank you for reading this post regarding the different styles of exfoliants available on the market, I know they are many more out there, but I think this is a good cross section of styles of exfoliants, please let me know if there are any exfoliants in your collection that you adore!
Two of my faves in here too! Dermalogica and O Cosmedics! ❤
Loved this post!
Tahana
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Need to try out more from O Cosmedics, I’ve been impressed by everything I’ve tried. Thank you for reading x
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I love the nip+fab pads, they are so good! I love the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate chemical exfoliator if you haven’t tried it 🙂
Kate | themintedblog.com
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Ah my bestie just picked up the Kate Somerville and she is lovely it as well! Thank you for reading x
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Chemical exfoliants have changed my life! Cannot live without them. I absolutely love Pixi Glow Tonic and Alpha H liquid gold. For a physical scrub I love the Skinstitut glycolic scrub as well!
Tasha // shiwashiful.
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I’ve only just started using the Glow Tonic so still haven’t made up my mind yet, but love the Liquid Gold as well! Thank you for reading x
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Thanks for explaining the difference between all the exfoliating options! I can get really confusing x
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There are so many on the market that I think a lot of people get overwhelmed, I didn’t even go into chemical exfoliants! Thank you for reading Rach x
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I have been using a Sandalwood Exfoliating Powder by the brand Lhami which is quite unique and gentle on the skin.
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Sounds like a lovely product! Thank you for reading x
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I love exfoliating pads! They are so easy to use, fuss free and work perfectly 🙂 I have been using the ones from First Aid Beauty but I will definitely need to try the Nip+Fab ones x
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The pads are perfect for travel as well! The Nip & Fab have a couple of varieties, so perfect for everyone. Thank you for reading Marisa x
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I cringed at that opening. My brother used to do the same thing when he was a teenager. I’m 4 years younger than him but he insisted he knew more about skincare than me. He had a few outbreaks of acne in his time and he would sometimes scrub so hard his face would bleed. Madness! I’m just thankful that I had a really amazing beauty therapist to advise me from a really young age.
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Oh wow luckily I was never dealing with acne, I sincerely hope he has grown out of the phase the same way that I did! Thank you for reading x
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I’m such a fan of peels, and the Enzymatic Micro Peel is among my favourite! My other favourites in here is the Glycolic Acid Scrub and the O-Cosmetics exfoliating cleanser!
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Love the Micro Peel for a really gentle chemical exfoliation, and love leaving it on overnight! Thank you for reading x
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Oh my! These all look so good! I’m loving the Dermalogica Superfoliant lately! It’s so light but my skin loves it and always feels so smooth afterwards! I do need to invest in some more good exfoliants though. Might need to try these xx
Laura || http://www.thelifeoflaura.com.au xx
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Love the Dermalogica too, so fabulous for a gentle exfoliation! Thank you for reading x
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Thank you for this!. Very informative
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I am loving the Skinstitut Peel and also the Glycolic Scrub, I also use it as a spot treatment on spots.
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Have been especially loving the Skinstitut Peel during the cooler weather. Thank you for reading x
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The exfoliating cleansers seem great for my dry sensitive skin, as I’ve always been careful when it comes to using exfoliators.
Rochelle || http://www.simplesocialsister.com
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Exfoliators should definitely be used in moderation, but can be a fabulous part of a skincare routine when used properly. Thank you for reading x
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I see a few favourites in there, I’m always mixing things up 😊
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