Should you cleanse or exfoliate first?
Exfoliating cleansers take the guesswork out of skincare. They remove dead cells together with dirt and grime in one fell swoop, making your routine shorter and fuss-free.
Bonus points: they save you money and allow you to stay in bed a couple of minutes longer in the morning (beauty sleep is real, my friends!).
Interested? Here’s why you should use an exfoliating cleanser and how to add it to your skincare routine:
What Are Exfoliating Cleansers And How Do They Work?
The name says it all. Exfoliating cleansers are multitasking powerhouses that cleanse and exfoliate skin at the same time.
There are two types of exfoliating cleansers:
- Physical exfoliating cleansers: Usually marketed as 2-in-1 cleanser and scrub, they use small particles like apricot kernels and sugar to manually remove dead cells off your skin.
- Chemical exfoliating cleansers: They use exfoliating acids, like glycolic and salicylic, to dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together, so they can slough off on their own.
Guess which type is better? (Hint: it’s not what you think.)
Why Should You Use An Exfoliating Cleanser?
You shouldn’t use just any exfoliating cleanser. Chemical exfoliating cleansers have the edge here. Here’s why:
- They’re gentler on the skin: Unlike acids, natural particles like apricot kernels have rough, jarred edges that can scratch and tear the skin.
- They provide even exfoliation: Scrub a little longer on your right cheek than your left cheek and, all of a sudden, one is softer (or redder!) than the other. Acids, on the other hand, provide even exfoliation all over.
- They’re multitaskers: Exfoliating acid cleansers don’t just save you money and time in the morning. They do multitasking duty on your skin, hydrating and soothing while removing dead skin cells.
In other words, exfoliating acid cleansers give your complexion a smoother feel and a brighter glow without the irritation.
From now on, whenever we mention exfoliating cleansers, we mean the acid kind. Got it? Good. Here’s how to use them:
How Often Should You Use An Exfoliating Cleanser?
Using acids can be scary. Doesn’t this stuff burn skin off?!
Fret not. Exfoliating cleansers use very low concentrations of acids: high enough to remove the pesky skin cells that are roughening up your skin and stealing its glow, but low enough not to cause any unwanted side effects, like redness and irritation.
They’re so gentle, even sensitive skin can use them. In fact, they’re usually the ONLY type of chemical exfoliation sensitive skin can tolerate at all.
The key is to use them in moderation. So, how often is enough?
If you have resistant oily skin, go ahead and knock yourself out. You can use exfoliating cleansers daily without experiencing any side effects.
Dry or sensitive skin? Stick to two or three times a week. That’s enough to brighten your skin, smoothen out its blemishes and soften its texture without drying it out.
What’s The Best Exfoliating Cleanser For Dry Skin?
Glycolic acid is the best exfoliating acid for dry skin, hands down.
The smallest member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family, glycolic acid does double duty: it exfoliates the surface of your skin and improves its hydration levels.
Our Glycolic Acid Clarifying & Resurfacing Facial Wash uses 2.5% glycolic acid to stimulate the skin’s renewal process: it reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark spot, hydrates skin and gives the complexion a radiant glow.
If your anti-aging routine needs a boost, this is it. This cleanser is hands down a staff favorite here at Babyface!
What’s The Best Exfoliating Cleanser For Oily Skin?
Salicylic acid is the only exfoliating acid oily, acne-prone skin needs.
It’s sometimes called BHA because it’s the only member of the Beta Hydroxy Acid family used in skincare products.
Its superpower? It has a few: it exfoliates the surface of your skin, unclogs pores to treat and prevent all forms of acne and reduces redness and irritation.
You’ll find it in our 6% Salicylic Face Wash With Activated Charcoal. Packed with vitamins and oils that moisturize skin, it uses salicylic acid to exfoliate away the dead skin cells that clog pores and reduce inflammation that always come along with acne.
The Bottom Line
Exfoliating cleansers are a smart way to save money and time in the morning. They melt away dirt and dead cells in one go, leaving your complexion softer, brighter and younger-looking. Just as long as you use them in moderation.