Is chemical exfoliation safe?

Exfoliation is essential for good skin, so is chemical exfoliation safe?

Chemical exfoliation is safe, safer than physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliators separate the dead skin cells from the new fresh skin cells by either breaking up the bonds that connect the old cells to the new cells or by dissolving the dead skin cells on your skin. This is much safer than physical exfoliation which is abrasive.

Modern skincare has evolved and there have been so many steps added to our skincare routines. This is especially true as we look at and take from Korean skincare.

The normal face routine is no longer just a face wash and moisturizer anymore.

One of my favourite additions to skincare has been the chemical exfoliator but is chemical exfoliation safe?

Don’t be alarmed when you hear the word “chemical” in the name.

Chemicals aren’t necessarily harsher on the skin. They are simply designed to do a certain job. Making them more tailor-made for each skin concern.

This article looks at chemical exfoliation and if it is safe.

Is chemical exfoliation safe?

What does a chemical exfoliator do?

Exfoliation is any step in your skincare routine that helps you remove the dead skin cells off the top layer of your skin.

This allows your skin to be smoother, have a more radiant complexion and be baby soft.

It’s also great because this allows the skincare products that you use afterwards to penetrate deep into the skin and really give you the best results.

The chemical exfoliator uses chemicals to do the job. This is a chemical exfoliator that is well-loved.

There are many ingredients that can be used in chemical exfoliators:

BHA’s (beta hydroxy acid): These dissolve dead skin cells from your face exposing the newer fresher skin cells.

AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids): These break down the bonds between the dead skin cells on your face and the new skin cells below.

Fruit enzymes: These can include enzymes from papaya and pineapple. Fruit enzymes aren’t as harsh as the AHA’s and the BHA’s.

They break down the keratin on the skin but only affect the outermost layer of the epidermis.

Note: some products that use fruit enzymes can affect the healthy cells below. Ask your dermatologist about the exfoliator before using.  

Is facial, exfoliation necessary?

Yes, facial, exfoliation is necessary. You need to exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells off of your face. This is the only way to do this.

When the dead skin cells are shed off your skin they don’t just fall off of your face. They sit on top of the new fresh skin underneath.

If they mix in with the sebum on your face they can cause whiteheads and blackheads. If they mix in with oil and bacteria they cause pimples.

Exfoliation will also give you a better-looking completion overall.

What’s the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation?

Physical exfoliators: These are more well-known exfoliatin products. They remove the dead skin cells in a more abrasive way.

This is done by the use of a scrub, washcloth, rough cleansing pads or an exfoliation brush. They leave you with smooth skin after use.

Not all physical exfoliators are made the same, some can be rough but this one is more gentle.

Chemical exfoliators: These use ingredients to dissolve the dead skin cells off of your skin.

Certain types of chemical exfoliators eat away at the bonds that the dead skin cells have to the new fresh skin underneath. They use chemicals such as AHA’s and BHA’s. Here are some drugstore and Koren options.

This is a favorite chemical exfoliator.

Is chemical exfoliation safe?

Yes, chemical exfoliation is safe.

Physical exfoliation is so rough and abrasive you can easily damage the natural moisture barrier of the skin if you apply too much pressure.

This results in creating micro-tears in the skin. This can lead to a whole host of skin irritations such as more pimples and hyperpigmentation.

Physical exfoliation can also cause redness and irritation on the skin. This can usually be seen if you apply too much pressure on the skin and over-exfoliating, read more about over-exfoliating here.

Chemical exfoliators are a much more safe option because it does everything that a physical exfoliator can but there is a much smaller chance of damaging your skin.

If used at the same rate chemical exfoliation will be better for your skin overall.

If you use a gentler physical exfoliator such as a soft washcloth or a cleansing brush you won’t get a decent exfoliation. This is more of an extra cleaning step than an exfoliation.

The chemical exfoliation will work to get deep into the skin to exfoliate, it will reach past the surface of the skin.

Is chemical exfoliation safe

How often should you exfoliate your face?

This depends on your skin type. If you over-exfoliate then your skin will become irritated. If you under exfoliate your skin won’t be getting all the benefits it needs from the exfoliation.

Sensitive skin: If you have this skin type then you need to be extra gentle, only exfoliate the skin once a week. The best types of exfoliators will be chemical as they won’t harm your skin

Normal skin: Physical exfoliators can work for your skin but don’t overdo it or rather use a chemical exfoliator, chemical is always best. You can exfoliate 2-3 times a week

Oily skin: This skin type can take something more abrasive when it comes to exfoliation. You can exfoliate 3-5 times a week. You can use a physical exfoliator but the chemical is always better.

Note that even with this guide everyone’s skin is different and you should pay attention to how your skin reacts. You don’t want to be over-exfoliating your skin.

Also, note that your other skincare product might also be exfoliating. Check to see if the ingredients can also exfoliate.

Dow to you chemically exfoliate your face?

  1. After you are done washing your face you can use the exfoliator
  2. Apply the exfoliator on your face and rub your face in circular motions. Be sure not to apply pressure on your face while doing this.
  3. Wash it off and pat your face dry. Be sure to use a good moisturizer after you use this product. This is a good hydrating moisturiser you can use.
  4. You can go ahead and apply the rest of your products after this.

How quickly does chemical exfoliation work?

If you haven’t exfoliated in a long time then you’ll be able to see some results immediately after you’ve exfoliated your skin.

You’ll notice an improvement in the colour of your complexion as well as the texture of your skin.

For results that are noticeable and long-lasting, you’ll need to exfoliate consistently and wait for 6-8 weeks.

Note: you shouldn’t over-exfoliate your skin in an effort to see faster results, this will simply cause irritation on your skin.

Is it OK to use glycolic acid every day?

Yes, it is OK to use glycolic acid every day

Glycolic is an AHA that is very safe and effective to use on the skin. You can use glycolic on a daily basis as long as it’s used in products that contain glycolic acid, using glycolic acid on its own will irritate the skin.

Only use glycolic acid in DIY skin treatments if you are educated on the nature of the acid.

In addition, when you start using glycolic acid I suggest you start off with a product that has a low concentration of glycolic acid, around 5 percent glycolic acid.

This is a glycolide acid exfoliating cleanser that has a low concentration of glycolic acid and works very well.

Is chemical exfoliation better than physical?

Yes, chemical exfoliation is better than physical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation can be damaging on the skin.

That being said physical exfoliators aren’t created equal, some physical exfoliators contain exfoliating particles which are too large and can create microtears on the skin others are more gentle.

You always need to take note of what exfoliating ingredients are being used in your exfoliators. The exfoliator will create microtears if the product contains fruit pits and crushed nutshells.

Rather pick an exfoliator that contains sugar. Sugar is small enough to not create microcars on the skin yet effective enough to remove dead skin cells, this sugar exfoliator is a great choice.

You also need to remember to use your physical exfoliator gently to avoid it creating micro-tears in your skin.

Can physical exfoliation cause purging?

Yes, physical exfoliation can cause purging.

Pimples are formed over a couple of weeks under the top layer of dead skin cells. When you exfoliate your skin using a physical exfoliator you remove the dead skin cells off the top of your skin.

When you remove the dead skin cells the pimples in the works come to the surface. This is called purging once this purging stage is over your skin will go back to normal.

Can chemical exfoliation cause acne?

Yes, chemical exfoliation can cause acne if its the wrong exfoliator for your skin. Chemical exfoliation can also cause purging.

The same way that the physical exfoliation can cause purging because of the removal of the top layer of skin cells, chemical exfoliation can cause purging.

You need to make sure that the breakouts are the result of purging and not actual acne. Chemical exfoliators like over the counter retinol can also cause acne or purging.

You need to know the difference between breakouts and purging. This article goes over the difference between purging and breakouts.

Note: you shouldn’t over-exfoliate because over-exfoliation can remove the healthy skin cells from the top layer of your skin which keep your moisture barrier intact.

Here is an article that explains if your natural moisture barrier is damaged

Is chemical exfoliation safe

Can you use a chemical exfoliator every day?

You can use a very gentle chemical exfoliator every day, this one can be used daily. 

In actual fact, most of us don’t know it but many of our products that aren’t labelled as exfoliators contain some form of chemical exfoliators.

To make sure you aren’t over exfoliating you should always follow the usage instructions. Every product will have its own set of instructions as to how and when to use the product.

Generally, you can use a chemical exfoliator on a daily basis and a physical exfoliator up to 3 times a week. You can increase the amount of time you exfoliate depending on your skin’s needs.

Can I use both physical and chemical exfoliant together?

No, you can’t use both a physical and chemical exfoliant together.

Using one exfoliator then another exfoliator right after will result in over-exfoliation of your skin. But you can alternate between the types of exfoliators you use in your skincare routine.

If they are good efficient exfoliators then alternating between the two will ensure that your face doesn’t get too comfortable with using any of them.

How do you unclog pores?

You can unclog your pores by either exfoliating or steaming them and extracting the clogs.

The exfoliator you choose has to be a chemical exfoliator. This is because the chemical exfoliator will exfoliate the skin at a cellular level, exfoliating and breaking up the sebum and dead skin cells relieving your skin of the clog.

Do not use a physical exfoliator to unclog your pores as this can just cause irritation.

Steaming the face softens the skin and loosens up the contents of the clogged pores.

If you look at your face after a shower you’ll notice that your pores are open and you can see the build-up in your pores, the same thing happens when you steam your face.

After your steam, you can use a blackhead extractor to remove the contents of the clogged pore. This is a great facial steamer you can use and it comes with blackhead extractors.  

Can I use salicylic acid every day?

Yes, you can use salicylic acid every day

Salicylic acid is one of the chemical exfoliators that can do wonders on your skin. It dissolves the debris, oils and dead skin cells that cause clogged pores. In addition, it also helps to heal inflammation and will help get rid of your acne.

This ingredient can be used every day and is found in a variety of skincare products. If you need a cleanser that contains salicylic acid this is a great choice.

Caution: If you have dry or sensitive skin then using it may not be a good idea as you can experience redness, dryness and skin irritation.

Do you moisturize after chemical exfoliate?

Yes, you should moisturize after a chemical exfoliation.

Using an ultra-hydrating moisturizer after you use a chemical exfoliator will ensure that your new fresh skin does not dry out.

You need to use a moisturizer that contains glycerin or any other humectants. Humectants will bring water deep into your skin making sure your skin is moisturized beyond the top layers.

This is a good hydrating moisturiser to use

After the moisturiser, you need to use a good sunscreen. This is particularly necessary after you exfoliate because at this time your skin is more sensitive and vulnerable to anything that can potentially damage it.

This is a great sunscreen to use

That’s it for this article on if chemical exfoliation is safe. I hope that you found this useful and helpful. If you did then please share it.

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