Exfoliators | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Beautiful skin is always in style and one of the best ways to get there is by regular exfoliation of your skin. Exfoliation is the process of sloughing off the dead skin cells on the top layer of your epidermis to allow newer, younger skin to surface. Performing this type of cleaning on a semi regular basis will dramatically improve the performance of your skin care products. Without a thick layer of dead cells to try and penetrate through, your products will be able reach deeper layers of your epidermis. The end result is more vibrant and healthier skin!

As a licensed esthetician the question I most commonly receive from my skin care clients is “Which exfoliant is right for me?” There are countless choices on the market, but the basic two are physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants. Let’s take a closer look at what classifies an exfoliant as one or the other and which is best for certain skin types.

Physical exfoliation is the actual buffing or scrubbing of the skin to remove dead cells. People with large pores and oily skin (not acne-prone) will benefit the most from physical exfoliation. This can be accomplished in many ways. Shaving and using a washcloth or loofa during cleansing are two of the more common forms. Facial exfoliating products, usually called scrubs, contain different types of abrasive ingredients that manually slough off dead cells. Synthetic beads are gentle on the skin but not so good for the environment. Natural ingredients such as almond, walnut, or apricot pieces are too aggressive and can actually scratch the skin causing irritation and the spread of bacteria. That is not to say that all natural scrubs are bad. Ground adzuki beans, oatmeal, and baking soda are all wonderful exfoliants that safely buff the skin without causing damage. When choosing your physical exfoliation tool try to avoid substances with excessive oils. These oils may act like a glue and hold the dead cells on the surface of the skin leading to clogged pores. Some of my favorite products are Bobbi Brown’s Buffing Grains which can be added to any cleanser, Laura Mercier’s Face Polish, or a nice pinch of baking soda in my favorite creamy cleanser. FYI, baking soda can be added to your shampoo as a safe exfoliant for your hair to remove product buildup!

Chemical exfoliation dissolves the bonds that hold skin cells together making it easy for them to be shed. Chemical exfoliants can be broken down into a couple sub-groups, AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) and BHA (beta hydroxyl acid). AHA’s include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and a few others. These are water soluble exfoliants and can be applied at different strengths to create a more superficial or deep peel. They are wonderful for dry, sun damaged, mature skin that needs a faster rate of cell turnover as well as sebum stimulation. Deeper chemical peels can be preformed by professionals at medical spa’s, dermatologist office, and even some plastic surgeons offices. NeoStrata brand makes an entire collection of AHA based skin care that is highly recommended by doctors. I also love SkinCeuticals Retexturizing Activator. BHA is salicylic acid, derived from the willow bark tree, (so is aspirin) it is oil soluble and works wonders for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid can break down the oils that clog pores and reduce inflammation, a powerful treatment combination against acne. Skin care professionals offer many BHA treatments that are much stronger than what can be purchased over the counter, but everyday treatment of acne is important. Some products I like are Neutrogena’s Rapid 2-in1 Fight and Fade Gel and Philosophy’s On a Clear Day Oil Free Acne Spot Treatment.

Chemical exfoliants tend to be less aggressive than physical exfoliants but overuse of either may irritate your skin. Normally it is best to choose one or the other as your choice of exfoliation. Remember to exfoliate no more than 3 times weekly depending on your skin’s needs. There are some cases where using both chemical and physical exfoliation could be beneficial. However, it is best to discuss such a special type of treatment plan with your dermatologists prior to beginning it. Taking care of your skin is the best way to preserve it and make sure that your best accessory is in tip top shape.

* Hollie Jean is a Savannah Makeup Artist and licensed esthetician. As a health and well being enthusiast she believes in keeping things simple. You can find Hollie Jean on twitter @holliejean *

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About the Author: Carleen Pruess Coulter

The Skinsonic from Sirius Beauty offers sonic cleansing at a much more affordable price than the more expensive Clarisonic. The products are fairly comparable in terms of features (more on that below) and, based on Clarisonic reviews and other Skinsonic reviews , it appears that the Skinsonic offers comparable results as well.

It is no secret that sonic skin cleansing is a great way to meet several skin care needs in one package. These devices work rather well at cleansing and exfoliating, and the Skinsonic has attachments for sensitive skin, hydration and massage, something that its rival does not have.

Using the Skinsonic

The Skinsonic works to cleanse skin by sonic technology through a vibrating sonic brush that removes dirt and makeup. It can also exfoliate, hydrate, or massages, depending on the attachment used. I like it best for cleansing. Sonic cleansing really does remove a lot of dirt. My skin always feels great after using it and, by using the product regularly, I can really see a difference in terms of skin brightness and acnes clearing. The device is comfortable and easy to use.

I also like the product for sonic exfoliation. I previously used a spa sciences exfoliator that was discontinued, and the Skin Sonic is a good affordable replacement. To use sonic exfoliation, you simply use your favorite light scrub or exfoliating cream with the sponge head designed for exfoliation. There is a similar head for hydration. I’m happy with the product for these uses, but I generally exfoliate with a home microdermabrasion kit now too (link is to previous review).

The system also offers hydration head and massage heads. I tried each and was fine with them, but they are not what I primarily use the product for. All product heads much periodically be replaced.

Comparison to the Clarisonic

The Skinsonic is fairly comparable to the Clarisonic in terms of results. At $49.95, The Skinsonic is superior in terms of price, given that the most affordable Clarisonic device normally is $149. The Skinsonic also comes with multiple attachments that are not available with the Clarisonic. However, the Skin sonic uses batteries and does not have a rotating center on its brush head, while the Clarisonic is rechargeable and does have a rotating brush—something that is kind of nice to have for even deeper cleansing.

Recommendation

Overall, I like the Skinsonic. I recommend it to anyone interested in sonic cleansing or exfoliation, especially those who are budget conscious since the savings with the Skinsonic make it a rather good value product.

Buy the Skinsonic Skin Cleansing System

Interested in more sonic exfoliation devices and/or home microdermabrasion? Check out our complete microdermabrasion buyer’s guide: Best Home Microdermabrasion.