Many of the solutions used in chemical exfoliation are found in high concentrations that can only be administered by a dermatologist, although you can often find low-concentration formulas available over-the-counter.
Common chemical exfoliation solutions include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). There are even spas that use the
natural acids in wine-producing grapes to exfoliate the skin in a practice that is being called ‘vinotherapy’.
Mechanical exfoliation can be performed by substances that include microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, micro-bead facial scrubs, crepe paper, crushed apricot kernel or almond shells, sugar or salt
crystals, pumice, and abrasive materials such as sponges, loofahs, brushes, and simply fingernails. There is also an exfoliating element to other cosmetic practices like waxing and wet shaving of the skin for
hair removal. (Chemical hair removers like Nair also exfoliate, but this would be chemical exfoliation.)
Pros and Cons
The benefits of exfoliation are fairly self-explanatory, since keeping dead skin cells removed allows the newer, fresher skin cells to be visible. This results in fresher, plumper and healthier-looking skin.
Keeping the skin exfoliated also helps your skin care routine be more effective, as it allows those products that are intended to be absorbed by the skin – moisturizers and vitamin complexes – do so better.
(We already established that the skin’s purpose is partially to be watertight and excess dead skin can prevent desired solutions from absorbing.)
Exfoliation also helps prevent blemishes and clogged pores since excessive dead skin can be a cause of (or at least a contributor to) such problems.
Disadvantages to exfoliation often include the high price of prescription treatments in a Dermatologist’s office. Even the over-the-counter products available can be a strain on some budgets. Other cons to
exfoliation include the potential for improper application or over-treating the skin. It can become easy to irritate the skin and even damage it somewhat (though fortunately, your skin should tell you if you’re
hurting it overmuch).
Other disadvantages include the fact that some ingredients in mechanical exfoliants do not biodegrade. These substances can end up in rivers and into the oceans, and because of their look and longevity, they
can be attractive to marine life and will not digest when eaten. This can block the animal’s digestive tract and kill it.
Homemade Solutions
Of course, there are simple, at-home recipes for exfoliating products that work really well and will help your skin look and feel soft and smooth. You just need to decide what path you want to take: chemical
or mechanical?
If you just love that tingly, fresh-scrubbed feeling, then try this simple recipe for a body scrub mix that you can use before a bath to exfoliate and soften the skin. You will need:
• 2 cups of Epsom Salts
• 1 cup of light oil
• Fragrance oil/essence (optional)
The Epsom salts are obviously the ‘scrubbing’ agent in this mixture and provide the mechanical exfoliation desired. And the oil should be something with which you are comfortable. Some people may want to
use their favorite bath oil (or after-bath body oils, including baby oil) but other good choices include light olive oil, canola oil, and even sunflower oil. You can add fragrance oils as desired for a
pleasing scent and aroma-therapeutic effect.
