Exfoliation: how does it work?

Sommaire

What is the role of exfoliation?
What type of scrub should I choose?

What is the role of exfoliation?

Exfoliation, or scrubbing , is a fundamental step used to eliminate dead cells located in the upper layers of the skin. In fact, over time, these cells thicken to the point of forming a barrier that limits the penetration of the active ingredients in your skincare products and dulls your complexion. Exfoliating regularly therefore refines the skin's texture, improves the effectiveness of your other skincare products, stimulates cell renewal, etc. In short, scrubbing is all good!

What type of scrub should I choose?

1/ Exfoliation with grains

The "mechanical" action scrub (called grain) is the most widespread scrub. Its effectiveness comes from a mechanical action: in fact, for them to work, you have to make circular movements with your fingertips, massaging the grains. Results? It activates micro-circulation and eliminates dead skin cells. Its action is superficial and immediate. It can be used on both the face and the body.

This type of scrub is recommended for normal to combination skin, but be careful with sensitive skin because the grains can be aggressive! These treatments are also not recommended for oily skin, because the grains will stimulate the sebaceous glands (responsible for the production of sebum) and cause an overproduction of sebum.

The +: this is the easiest type of exfoliant to find. The sensation of the grains can be pleasant on the body.

The -: It can generally only be used once a week (the grains can irritate the skin). The first week you think about it, the second you make an effort… the third you forget!

2/ Acid-based scrubs without grain

The acid-based scrub without grains has a more effective and precise action. Indeed, fruit acids, for example, attack the junctions that hold the cells together. They make them "swell" in a way to make them "explode", which can be aggressive for the skin. This exfoliation acts in depth with a smoothing action and stimulates the cellular renewal of the epidermis, allowing cellular functions to be optimized.

For this type of scrub, a setting time (variable depending on the composition) is necessary.

The +? It adapts to all skin types (normal, combination and oily).

The -: just like the scrub with grains, it is not recommended for sensitive skin because fruit acids can create skin reactions and irritate the skin. Also, it is recommended to use them only once a week!

3/ Grain-free enzymatic scrubs

Finally, the grain-free enzymatic scrub is composed, as its name suggests , of enzymes which gently eliminate the bonds between dead cells, allowing them to peel off more easily and more quickly.

Did you know that we naturally have enzymes that do this exfoliation work in our skin? This is why this type of scrub is called "organic" because its action is biomimetic to the skin (that is to say, it exactly reproduces the phenomenon that occurs naturally in the epidermis).

This exfoliation also acts in depth with a smoothing action and stimulates the cellular renewal of the epidermis, thus allowing the synthesis of new cells for a younger and finer skin texture. The skin is therefore smoothed and soft, ideal for regaining the sensation of "baby skin". These scrubs adapt wonderfully to all skin types, even sensitive and reactive, since they exfoliate very gently.

The +: it is the gentlest type of scrub (it can be used daily) and the most effective. The enzymatic action is used in our Pschitt Magique range