MECHANICAL VS CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION – KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Exfoliation is a very crucial part of any skincare routine, it is the process of sloughing off dead skin cells from the surface of your skin allowing new rejuvenated skin cells to flourish. There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical. Keep reading to learn about the differences between both exfoliating types.

What is Chemical Exfoliation?

The process of using enzymes, acids (beta hydroxy acid & alpha hydroxy acid) to dissolve dead skin cells buildup by breaking down their bonds without the need to scrub.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid

These types of acids are derived from common sugars. They include Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Mandelic, and Citric acids. These acids have multiple uses from combating fine lines and wrinkles to unblocking pores and improving the overall health of the skin.

Beta Hydroxy Acid

The most common type of BHAs is Salicylic acid, they are lipid-soluble meaning they can dissolve in fat and oils. It helps in removing dead skin and can boost the texture of sun-damaged skin. It is ideal for people with oily skin, also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Enzymes

They are gotten from natural sources like fruits, enzymes work in a similar way to exfoliants made up of acid-base just at a slower rate making it safe and gentle.

What is Mechanical Exfoliation?

It refers to the process of using a physical device (tool or product) to exfoliate the skin.

There are 3 main tools:

Cleaning brush: The physical device can be electrical or manual, and used mainly on damp skin.
Scrubs: It is formulated with small particles and beads, and best applied on damp skin.
Towel/cloths: It is used to dry the skin post-cleansing, it also plays a role in gently exfoliating the skin’s surface. Lately, hot cleansing has become a thing that includes using a hot cloth to clean and exfoliate the skin.

Skin types and characteristics

There are four primary skin types: normal, dry, oily, and combination. Normal skin is well balanced in terms of moisture, being neither too oily nor too dry. Dry skin produces less sebum (oil) than normal skin which can result in a textured and dull complexion. Oily skin produces too much sebum (oil), giving it a glossy appearance with visibly enlarged pores. Combination skin is a mixture of skin types in different parts of the face. The skin type you have cannot be changed. But you can learn to care for each type with specific products that enhance the overall health and look of your skin. The same is true for exfoliants, choosing the right one for your skin is very key if you want to remove dead skin cells without damaging your skin.

Check the variety of Organic body scrubs we offer you at SANNA café: Organic Coffee Scrub, Organic Sugar Scrub, Organic Salt Scrub – pick your favourite and enjoy the softness and glow of your skin.