Skin Care

Chemical Exfoliation Is Totally Not Scary and Will Completely Change Your Skin

There's no need to fear chemical exfoliation. Here are all the reasons why chemical exfoliation is a game changer for all skin types, according to dermatologists.

by Sharon Feiereisen | COMMENT

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How Chemical Exfoliants Work "Chemical exfoliants essentially dissolve the glue holding the unwanted dead skin cells on and are suitable for all skin types, even for sensitive skin, while physical exfoliants (which mechanically remove dead skin cells by abrading them off) should never be used on sensitive skin," says Schultz, who goes on to explain that chemical exfoliation gives better, consistent and predictable results. Why? "The outcome of physical exfoliation depends on three variables, which are never the same: how much pressure or how hard you rub; how long you treat any given area; the lack of constancy of the physical exfoliating medium (e.g., granules or loofah)."

It's also worth noting that, contrary to popular belief, you make the same number of new dead cells every season, so exfoliating is something that should be done year round. If you're looking to exfoliate every day, go for a low concentration of acids or products that specifically state they are meant for everyday use.

Remember, not all acids have the same strength. There are two categories: AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid). Glycolic acid is the gold standard in chemical exfoliants with the others being weaker. With that in mind, BHAs are usually preferred for those with acne-prone and very sensitive skin or rosacea. They're also a good place to start if you have no experience using chemical exfoliators. For the experienced user, however, AHAs are the way to go.

Click through for the best chemical exfoliants to try now.

Image via @drdennisgross

SEE NEXT PAGE: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturizer, $68

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