Exfoliating is CF’s favourite skin trick, and it really works, as it’s one of the easiest ways to boost glow, help clear up your skin, minimise the appearance of sun damage, and maintain a healthy and glowy complexion. Today we are talking with Desiree Stordahl, Paula’s Choice Senior Research & Education Manager, on all things, skin exfoliation and how it can help with Acne.

Because not only helps to remove dead skin cells, grime and pollution, also it  allows any serums, treatments, and moisturizer to penetrate deeper for a freshy new skin, more glowing, even and smooth!

What about over-exfoliating if I have breakouts? Desiree Stordahl will give you the keys.

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What is the ideal frequency on how to exfoliate your skin?

When it comes to chemical exfoliants (like AHA, BHA, or PHA), once a day use is incredibly helpful to keep skin smooth and free from built-up debris. However, you may need to adjust the frequency of application depending on your skin’s tolerance level and how persistent your issues are. For example, if you’re experiencing stubborn acne, exfoliating with BHA twice a day is ideal to get breakouts under control. 

On the other hand, if you have more sensitive skin, you may find that exfoliating once every few days is a perfect balance. This is why you need to experiment to see what works best for your skin.

What to watch out for? If skin starts to feel uncomfortable or becomes dry, flaky or red, cut back on the frequency of application. You may also want to consider a lower concentration or different texture (chemical exfoliants come in all kinds of consistencies from liquids and gels to serums and lotions).

As for abrasive, gritty scrubs, those should be avoided altogether. They can cause tiny microtears that damage the skin’s protective barrier, plus they’re not as effective as exfoliating acids. 

What is the best type of exfoliant for each skin type?

Salicylic acid (also known as BHA or beta hydroxy acid) is the perfect exfoliant for oily/combination skin or ANYONE dealing with breakouts or pore issues. In addition to smoothing the surface of the skin, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into pores to remove debris that would normally lead to clogs. Salicylic acid is also the ideal exfoliant for anyone who has sensitive skin because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties that make it soothing and ultra-gentle on skin.

My pick: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paulas Choice BHA Skin Exfoliation

AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) exfoliants include ingredients such as glycolic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, and malic acids, which are ideal for normal to dry and sun damaged skin. This type of exfoliation targets numerous concerns, including evening out skin tone, smoothing rough flaky patches of skin, aiding collagen replenishment, and softening the appearance of wrinkles. Overall, AHAs give skin a healthier glow and help boost hydration in skin’s lower layers.

My pick: Paula’s Choice Resist Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA

Paulas Choice Skin Exfoliation

PHA (polyhydroxy acid) exfoliants, such as gluconolactone and lactobionic acid, are another option. Polyhydroxy acids don’t have as extensive of research behind their benefits, but they’re still effective and worth a try if your skin doesn’t respond well to AHA or BHA.  An interesting distinction of PHAs is that they also provide antioxidant benefits.

What is the biggest mistake people make when exfoliating?

Aggressive manual exfoliation with abrasive scrubs or stiff cleansing brushes is the worst mistake people make. Research has demonstrated that you may not see the severity of the harsh effects right away, but the damage (low-grade inflammation beneath the skin’s surface) is happening, and it adds up. The ongoing use of such products can lead to redness, dryness, and a compromised barrier that deters the skin’s healthy glow. 

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