When it comes to exfoliation, less really can be more! Exfoliation—the process of removing dry skin or dead skin—should be part of your skincare routine, but over-exfoliating can cause irritation. No matter your skin care concerns, exfoliating your face, lips, neck, and decolletage just two to three times a week can help skin look brighter, healthier, and more even-toned. But the benefits of exfoliation don’t stop there! Taking a few minutes to massage in a luxe, gentle exfoliant can also help to remove impurities from clogged pores, and help your skin absorb other skin care products more effectively. COSMEDIX has a whole host of supercharged exfoliators for every skin type, so we’re rounding up some of our favorite scrubs, masks, and treatments for you in our blog post this week. Read on for more on the different types of exfoliators and a few recommendations for your specific skin concerns!

Types of Exfoliators

Physical Exfoliators

Physical exfoliators are probably what most people think of when they picture an exfoliant—remember when apricot scrub was ever-present on all our shelves? These exfoliators actually rub and scrub your skin with textured ingredients, help you slough off all that dead skin. At COSMEDIX, the key ingredients in our physical exfoliators are natural ingredients like Poppy, Jojoba, and Date Seeds or Sea Salt. Our gentle, physical exfoliators will help you reveal more rejuvenated, healthy-looking skin.

Enzyme Exfoliators

Physical exfoliators are tried-and-true, but enzymes can help take natural exfoliating ingredients to the next level! Enzymes are a hyper-gentle exfoliating ingredient that help loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so that they can be removed more easily. Enzyme exfoliators are less likely to irritate skin than harsher exfoliators, and the products that use enzymes as exfoliants likely have a smoother, more lotion-like texture.

Chemical Exfoliators

Ingredients like Salicylic, Alpha Hydroxy, and Chirally Correct L-Lactic Acids as well as products with Retinol can all help exfoliate skin. If these chemical ingredients sound a bit intense, not to worry! At COSMEDIX, our chemical exfoliators also include hydrating ingredients like Aloe Vera that help skin maintain moisture levels. Like physical and enzyme exfoliators, chemical exfoliators only need to be added to your skincare routine two to three times a week. However, unlike physical and enzyme exfoliators, chemical exfoliators are only recommended as part of an evening skincare routine.

COSMEDIX Exfoliators by Skincare Concern

For Acne: Purity Detox Scrub Multi-Layer Detoxification System with Salicylic Acid AM/PM

This ultimate exfoliating cocktail combines gentle physical exfoliants like Poppy, Jojoba, and Date Seeds with Salicylic Acid to help polish away the look of skin imperfections and leave you with a clearer-looking, more even complexion. This exfoliator is gentle enough for a morning or evening skincare routine and can be used on the body as well as the face for all over exfoliation.

For Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Defy Triple Hydroxy Acid Age-Defying Treatment PM

This multi-tasking Age-Defying Treatment is formulated with a powerhouse blend of plant based ingredients and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. The key to Defy’s exfoliating power? Chirally Correct L-Lactic Acid, L-Malic Acid, and L Tartaric Acid that gently exfoliates to help reduce the appearance of fine lines for a smoother, softer appearance. Defy is also formulated with Aloe Vera and Olive Oil to help hydrate and soothe the complexion.

For Brightening: PHA Hydration Peel AM/PM Refining Exfoliator

Formulated with an age-defying cocktail of gentle skincare superstars like PHA, Lactobioinic Acid and Phytic Acid, this skin-soothing peel treatment helps illuminate the appearance of your complexion. The Lactobionic Acid is a naturally derived polyhydroxy acid from sugar that provides gentle exfoliation while Phytic Acid derived from cereal seeds helps provide support for the skin and increase moisturization. In a 4 week COSMEDIX study, 61% of participants noted that their skin appeared visibly brighter after four treatments with the PHA Hydration Peel.

For Protection Against Environmental Stressors: Pure Enzymes Cranberry Exfoliating Mask PM

This gentle enzyme mask boasts an antioxidant-rich formula that helps protect skin from environmental stressors as it helps to boost hydration. A combination of L-Lactic Acid and  Cranberry Enzymes exfoliate away dull, dead skin and pore-clogging impurities for a more radiant-looking complexion. Pure Enzymes is recommended for your nighttime skincare routine—apply it one to two times weekly and leave on for 3-10 minutes. Be sure to follow with your regular serums and moisturizer—exfoliation can help your skin absorb them better!

For Multi-tasking: Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser AM/PM

Formulated with natural botanicals like Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, this combination cleanser and gentle exfoliate helps to balance, clarify, and refresh the look of skin for a softer, more radiant-looking complexion. Without stripping the skin of essential moisture, the Chirally Correct L-Lactic Acid exfoliates dead skin cells for a rejuvenating pick-me-up in your morning or nighttime skincare routine.