Skin Exfoliation
Ever felt your skin looks a bit dull or have some visibly blocked pores? You may need to look at incorporating exfoliation into your skin routine, removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin. Regular exfoliation can also help enhance the effectiveness of other products in your skincare routine such as serums and moisturisers. It gives them the opportunity to penetrate deeper and work more effectively. Exfoliating can also help stimulate cell turnover, promoting healthier skin over time. Ultimately it gives your products the opportunity to do their thing!!
“Exfoliation was introduced in Egypt, the ancient Egyptians used to practice the exfoliation technique with help of pumice stone, alabaster stone particles some of the scrubs were made from sand and plants.” https://rjpn.org/ijcspub/papers/IJCSP22B1150.pdf
There are different choices you can make on the type of exfoliation you can use, especially on your face. What suits your arms and legs as exfoliation before that pre-holiday “get your glow on” spray tan can be a bit harsh on your face! Physical exfoliants can provide immediate results but might be too abrasive for some sensitive facial skin types, especially if you get a little too energetic or use too often. Chemical exfoliants, such as AHAs and BHAs, may offer a gentler alternative that may suit other skin types.
Both mechanical and chemical skin exfoliation serve the same essential purpose of effectively removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, but they accomplish this through distinctly different methods. Mechanical exfoliation involves various physical actions aimed at sloughing off dead skin cells, typically utilizing ingredients such as sugar, salt, bamboo powder, jojoba beads etc. In contrast, chemical exfoliation utilizes specific acids or enzymes to dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, enabling them to be effortlessly swept away with minimal physical effort. Common ingredients found in chemical exfoliants include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which penetrate the skin more deeply to provide a thorough level of exfoliation that is often more comprehensive.
Ultimately, the choice between mechanical and chemical exfoliation depends on various factors, including individual preference and individual skin needs, sensitivity levels, and the desired outcomes for the skin's overall appearance, health, and texture.
A product I am currently making fits into the mechanical formulation category with a chemical exfoliation version on the way.
BAMBOO FACIAL SCRUB
Bamboo Facial Scrub
WHAT’S IN IT?
Distilled water - hydration
Bamboo powder - the scrubby bit
Apricot Kernel Oil - emollient
Castor Oil - cleansing and emollient
Propanediol - humectant (more on that below)
Marshmallow Extract - from the Marshmallow plant - Althaea officinalis (not the delicious pink and white confectionary you have in hot chocolate!)
Benzyl Alcohol (and) Purified Water (and) Dehydroacetic Acid - natural preservative
Tocopherol aka Vitamin E - Antioxidant
How you use it:
Use after cleansing. Wet face and neck. Massage a small amount onto face in a gentle, circular motion. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with your favourite face oil or moisturiser.
SO WHAT’S A HUMECTANT?
A humectant is a skincare ingredient that attracts and retains moisture from the environment, helping to keep the skin hydrated. By drawing in water from the air and deeper layers of the skin, humectants create give your skin that dewy glow! They work effectively to enhance the skin's moisture levels and improve overall texture, leading to a more youthful and radiant complexion. Common humectants found in skincare products include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey and propanediol.
Any questions? Let’s chat - comment below.