How to Choose the Right Exfoliator for Your Skin

Exfoliating your skin is a process of removing dead skin cells using granular substances or peeling agents. Your skin naturally regenerates and sheds every 30 days or so to allow new skin cells to emerge. But sometimes, your skin is not able to shed completely, which leads to clogged pores, dull complexion and more frequent breakouts. That's why exfoliation is an essential step to achieving healthy, clarified, glowing skin, as it helps remove unwanted dead skin cells, impurities, and clear clogged pores to stimulate skin cell turnover, even out skin texture and allows skin care products to be well absorbed into the skin.

With so many different types of exfoliators out there offering promising results, how do I know what will work best for my skin? Leave the work to us as we provide you with a quick guide to selecting the best exfoliator for your skin's needs!

 

Distracted by a Blackhead?

Don't let those pesky little blackheads and whiteheads get in the way of letting you have clarified skin with refined pores. The great news is you can achieve this with a yummy ingredient without breaking the bank to go to regular spas and treatments. Can you guess what it is? Black sugar!

Black sugar is an excellent pore decongestant because its small, granulated texture is soft enough to use on the skin, yet powerful enough to remove stubborn blackheads and whiteheads.

 

KLAIRS Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish is a powerful yet moisturising facial exfoliator with black sugar granules to deeply cleanse your skin by removing blackheads and whiteheads along with other impurities.  It is enriched with vitamin E, shea butter and cranberry oil to maintain the skin's moisture levels and add a glossy, smooth finish after rinsing. Upon contact with water, the sugar granules melt to effectively remove deeply rooted impurities for a more refined appearance of pores, without being overly abrasive.

 

THE FACE SHOP Smart Peeling Honey & Brown Sugar Scrub works similarly by unclogging pores and removing scrubbing away dead skin cells to improve the appearance of large pores and clarify complexion. It helps melt away impurities deep within the pores while delivering nutrients to maintain the skin's softness.

Both these sugar scrubs not only work wonders in deeply cleansing your pores, but they also smell absolutely delicious that you would want to lick it afterwards!

 

Clarified, Blemish-Free Skin is Always Satisfying

With all the buildup of sebum, dirt and impurities on the surface of your skin, it becomes difficult for your skin to fully absorb and benefit from the skincare products you apply. Make the best out of your favourite skincare products and precious time taken in caring and pampering your skin by ensuring that you start with clean and clear skin.

 

Deeply cleansing your skin is so much more fun when your gel cleanser turns into cloud-like foam that not only clarifies sebum, but also goes deep into your pores to target and unclog those pesky blackheads! Yes, we are talking about SOME BY MI Bye Bye Blackhead 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser! Made with 16 different tea ingredients that is rich in antioxidants and naturally sourced BHA, this bubble cleanser will also help gently exfoliate dead skin cells and improve oil-water balance, leaving a refreshed finish.

 

 

Known for its sebum controlling properties, the acid found in lemons can regulate sebum production and help keep your skin clear and refreshed. NEOGEN Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon are exfoliating pads soaked in lemon serum, that helps effectively remove dead skin cells and control excess oil production to clarify the skin. These exfoliating pads have textured surface to remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and impurities, while the soft surface gently wipes it away to leave your skin smooth, radiant and clear.

 

 

How about a healthy ‘dessert’ for your skin? This sweet-smelling facial scrub mask works like magic in controlling excess sebum, while gently eliminating dead skin cells and unclogging pores. I’M FROM Fig Scrub Mask is made with 1.2% fig powder that leaves a smooth, hydrating finish. You can also leave it on your skin, and let its natural AHA content work its way in dissolving impurities, stimulate collagen production and make your skin visibly smoother and supple to the touch. If your skin is on the drier side, you can even mix this fig scrub with I’M FROM Honey Mask for added moisture levels!

 

Say 'I Do' to Brighter, Radiant Skin!

As dead skin cells accumulate on the skin's surface, the build-up causes the skin to look dull, uneven and tired. To bring back your skin's radiance and glow, exfoliating is an must since it not only gets rid of dead skin cells and unclogs pores, it helps promote skin cell regeneration as well as boost collagen synthesis for healthier, youthful-looking and bright complexion.

 

Keep your skin hydrated during exfoliation with IOPE Pro Peeling Soft Gel. Formulate with plant-based ingredients, natural konjak and sugar maple extracts, it provides an mild, yet effective exfoliation to help you get closer to achieving smoother and brighter complexion without leaving your skin feeling tight.

 

Reveal clarified, crystal-clear complexion with SULWHASOO White Ginseng Radiance Refining Mask! This in-shower 5-minute mask pack is formulated with Korean white ginseng, traditional herbs and honey. With its smooth, non-abrasive texture, this brightening mask pack can be used on all skin types including dry skin. The gentle exfoliation effect coupled with brightening and whitening benefits leaves the skin feeling moisturized and clear right after rinsing!

To use this, simply apply it to clean, dampened face and leave it on while you take a shower. Then, using gentle, circular motions, massage the mask pack on your skin before rinsing it with lukewarm water.

 

Who Says Sensitive Skin Does Not Require Exfoliation?

Hands up if you grew up with the assumption that exfoliating meant scrubbing your delicate skin hard and was an essential part of your skincare routine! Exfoliating sensitive skin is a different story because the aim here is to do so in a very gentle manner to prevent irritation and redness. But, how exactly do we exfoliate gently? Well, the answer is simpler than it may seem. The best method is to use a mild peeling gel or bubble peeling with low-irritating formula to gently melt away dead skin cells and unclog pores.

 

Who can refuse our softest, most delicate facial exfoliator? MAKE P:REM Rice Biome Bubble Peeling is a soft, mild exfoliator made with fermented rice that naturally contains lactic acid (LHA). It gently melts away and eliminates dead skin cells with its soft fiber-like texture without irritating or stripping away moisture from your skin’s surface. You’ll be surprised at just how silky-smooth your skin will feel after using this bubble peeling exfoliator!

 

9 ingredients is all it takes to create this safe exfoliator! PYUNKANG YUL Peeling Gel is a moisturising, gentle peeling gel which is suitable for dry, flaky and easily irritated skin. Formulated with Betain Salicylate, it effectively lifts unwanted dead skin cells to reveal smooth, glowing skin. Your skin will be left, softer, smoother and soothed thanks to its allantoin content to calm and replenish the skin's moisture.

To use these gentle exfoliators, ensure that your face is thoroughly cleansed and towel-dried. Next, take an adequate amount of exfoliator and spread all over your face, avoiding the lip and eye area. Wait for 10-15 seconds before gently massaging in circular motions for about 30 seconds or as needed, by this time you should see some clumping. Finally, rinse off with lukewarm water.

 

Now you're definitely a step closer to achieving clearer and healthy skin just by knowing which exfoliators work best for your skin's needs. Try it out today and we are certain that exfoliating will no longer be a skincare routine step that seems daunting or confusing. Let us know which exfoliator you are keen to try and share this with your friends so they can achieve their desired skin goals too!