Types of Exfoliating Products and How They Help You Achieve Healthy, Glowing Skin

The secret to glowing skin lies in a regular skincare routine that includes this twice-weekly, radiance-boosting step: Exfoliation. It’s the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin with exfoliating products to prevent them from clogging pores, causing acne and other blemishes, and making skin look lackluster. It’s crucial to incorporate this step into our routines as we age because, while our skin naturally renews itself, this process slows down over time.

If you’re looking for the best exfoliating products, here are some of the types of exfoliating ingredients that you should check out.

Products that serve as physical or manual exfoliators contain beads or natural grains that buff away the skin’s surface. It’s called manual exfoliation because you manually scrub your skin with the grains in gentle circular motions. These products can make your skin look smoother and brighter, but you have to be careful not to over-exfoliate. 

One of POND's exfoliators is the POND’S Bright Miracle Pore Clear Facial Scrub, a scrub specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, so it has gentle scrub particles that won’t be harsh on the affected area. It contains herbal clay, neem plant extracts, and prebiotics to control oil, clear your pores, and strengthen your skin to make it glow.

Don’t forget that your skin is more than your face. The Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash has microbeads that delicately slough off dead skin and restore its natural nutrients. Its formula is so mild you can use it every day in the shower.  

Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals to remove dead skin cells from the skin. These include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and different enzymes. You will typically find these ingredients in cleansers, toners, moisturizers, scrubs, serums, peels, and masks. They are all also effective methods of exfoliation. While they work to break the bonds between skin cells to loosen the dead skin, here’s what makes each one different.

When it comes to choosing a face scrub for glowing skin, you don't need to think literally.

AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble acids derived from fruits that exfoliate the surface layer of the skin and reveal the more even-toned skin underneath. They improve the appearance of fine lines, dullness, roughness, and enlarged pores. Popular AHAs include lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and mandelic acid. If you’re new to AHAs, choose a product with a lower percentage of acid to avoid irritating your skin. The advantage is, they are very potent and deliver quick results. 

Treat fine lines with POND’S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Day Serum, which contains some of the most effective anti-aging ingredients for your skin. The mineral-rich algae, triple hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and citric acid help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, boost cell turnover, and encourage collagen production for plumper, smoother skin.

BHAs or beta-hydroxy acids are oil-soluble, making them ideal for people with oily skin, acne, blackheads, and milia. BHAs get rid of dull cells and excess sebum that’s clogging up your pores with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These acids also tend to be less irritating because their larger molecule size keeps them from disturbing the delicate layers within the skin. The most popular BHA is salicylic acid, which is also the strongest BHA.

For acne-prone skin, try POND’S Bright Miracle Ultimate Acne Control Facial Foaml, which contains BHA salicylic acid to deeply clean and unclog pores and fight acne while refining the skin.

Enzymes are small molecules found in fruits that break down the protein in dead skin cells. While they can get rid of these dead skin cells, they don’t promote cellular turnover as acids do. This uniqueness makes them less abrasive and more suited to sensitive skin, oily and combination skin. Enzymes are usually used together with acids in products to promote exfoliation. Some fruits that produce widely used enzymes include pineapple, papaya, and pomegranate.

For mild exfoliation and cleansing, use Eskinol Naturals Micellar Water Clear with Natural Rose Extracts. This deep-cleaning, purifying micellar water removes deep-seated dirt and excess oils, mattifying skin without drying it.

If you want to give your skincare routine a boost, add this extra step for a healthy glow. Give these face exfoliating products a try!