Just by the very sound of it, exfoliation sounds like another necessary evil that one must do, no? And you’re right if that’s what you have in mind. Though our skin is said to naturally shed off and create a brand new layer every 28-days, a healthy exfoliation to aid the process is actually better. 

Through exfoliation, you actually unclog your pores and remove those pesky dead skin, thus making your whole skincare routine more effective. Acne, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and pustules, can be eradicated with the help of a good exfoliation.

Though its effectiveness is very remarkable, too much exfoliation can be very harmful. Hence, it is advisable to exfoliate only two times a week at most, so that your skin may benefit from the nutrients brought by exfoliation. But if you’re planning on exfoliating every other day, make sure to use products with gentle ingredients.

If you’re wondering where to incorporate exfoliation in your skincare routine, it must be done after cleansing your face with a facial cleanser and before applying a toner.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s learn more about exfoliation.

There are two ways of exfoliating - physical and chemical.

Physical Exfoliation

As the name itself suggests, physical exfoliation requires the aid of tools, such as facial scrubs or an exfoliating brush, to physically or manually scrub off and massage your face to remove dead skin and other gunk to optimize your skincare experience.

Chemical Exfoliation

It may sound dangerous and daunting, but it actually just means applying products with a more concentrated formula or acids catered to your specific needs.

Now, if both actually is for the same purpose, which is better?

To answer that, it would really depend on your skin type or concern.

If you’re on a clear skin day and wanted to treat your skin with a good exfoliation, why not use a cleansing brush together with your facial cleanser or a facial scrub after you’re done using your facial cleanser?

But for instance, if you have an acne prone skin, it is advisable to do chemical exfoliation with a product that is formulated with mild and gentle ingredients. With an acne prone skin, the goal is to remove the dead skin and have a brighter skin. Hence, using a physical exfoliator may be a bit harsh on your skin.

So let’s get a little specific, shall we?

To know more about chemical exfoliation, there are two main components or acids that we often hear from our skincare gurus, the AHA and BHA. But what does those HAs even mean?

Simply put, here’s the main difference.

The AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acid

AHA targets the surface layer of your skin and not deeply penetrate the skin which may sometimes cause skin irritation to some, if improperly used.

The BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid

Contrary to AHA, BHA deeply penetrates your skin, which targets the root cause of your skin concern, hence, may easily help you unclog those pores.

So what specific products should you try?

Why not try this facial scrub from Skinfood available here at Go Bloom and Glow:

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off for P645.00 P390.00, which makes the skin hydrated and moisturized.

Or these other wash-off products:

Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel for P950.00 P750.00, which is suitable for those suffering from dry, flaky, easily irritated skin, and skin that's producing excessive oil together with frequent blemishes.

and Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask for P800.00 P690.00, which is best used to remove excess sebum.

Or maybe, this best-selling gauze peel pad from NEOGEN (gentle reminder: after use don’t forget to wash it off with lukewarm water for a more apparent result), which is a combination of physical and chemical exfoliation with each exfoliating pad soaked with AHA:

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon for P1,100.00 P1,000.00, for a visibly clearer, smoother, and brighter skin;

Or for instance, if you want to get rid of blackheads and acne, purchasing an exfoliating product with BHA will help you out and we recommend:

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for P 990.00.

Whether you opt for a physical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, or a combination of both exfoliation, it is strongly advised to never skip on your moisturizer and sunscreen to protect your newly exfoliated, smooth as a baby’s bottom face from the sun, not that you’re planning on skipping it in the first place, right?

To improve the overall condition of your skin, don’t forget to exfoliate!

Annyeong!

Note: All prices reflected here are based on the current prices at the time of posting.
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