Key Word: Gentle
Most of us have likely tried the DIY sugar shower scrub and subsequently had to deal with encrusted sugar and sticky patches along the bathroom or shower floor, not to mention raw skin. And while such an endeavor begins with a good line of thinking — exfoliating is always a must — the American Academy of Dermatology1 suggests there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about a good facial scrub. At their best, facial scrubs can leave our skin with that baby-soft, dewy glow. At their worst, they can frighten the neighborhood children with Scarface nightmares, leaving skin red blotchy, or rubbed raw.
Through one particularly zealous phase of scrubbing while in college, I scrubbed so hard and so often (I wanted to clear my skin of acne) that I created more acne, a common side effect of over-scrubbing. So I had a personal investment in how to find that elusive balance. I put away my sugar crystals (which I learned were actually far too coarse for the delicate facial epidermis2) and went on the hunt for a good exfoliant. My goals were simple; I wanted something I could use at least weekly, but preferably every other day, that wouldn’t dry out my skin but would remove dead skin buildup. I tend to get dead skin build up on my chin, right below my lower lip, and around my nose.
As always, shop with your skin type in mind and work with your dermatologist to choose the best products for you.
If you have sensitive skin, don’t buy products with the most heavy chemicals. Avene Gentle Scrub features Safflower Oil, an ancient skincare ingredient utilized by the Chinese and Indians.
If your skin is oily, go with the oil-free options like SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub, designed to help open congested skin. This mild exfoliating gel combines natural microbeads with gentle cleansing and hydrating agents to thoroughly cleanse pores and promote healthy cell renewal without damaging or drying skin.
For dry skin, exfoliating is crucial because your skin will absorb any moisturizer you use much better. Try Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, a non-abrasive exfoliation treatment to thoroughly remove dulling surface debris, dramatically improving skin texture and combatting dryness.
Sources:
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How to safely exfoliate at home. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
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Cherney, K. (2020, January 6). Sugar scrub for face: Side effects and why you should avoid it. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sugar-scrub-for-face#side-effects
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