Gone are the days when we thought that the straight path to a clear complexion was to scrub our face with ground up walnut shells and apricot pits. Now we know that such ‘scrubs’ do much more harm than good. Medical Esthetician Marla Adelman says when it comes to ridding the skin of dead skin cells and other surface annoyances, gentle exfoliation is the clear choice.
“Physical exfoliation with something like a scrub, even one with rounded particles, can still lead to micro tears in your skin.” She suggests gentle chemical formulations to get the job done instead. “And when we say ‘chemical’ we’re not even talking about anything particularly synthetic. Enzymes from pumpkin and papaya are highly effective at chemical exfoliation.”
‘Chemical’ is used to describe the process of breaking up proteins that bind dead skin cells, and can lead to the skin looking dull and muddy. “You can use an enzyme rich cleanser to start the process, and follow up with a serum or moisturizer at night that gently keeps the exfoliation going while you’re sleeping.”
Adelman is also a fan of regular professional maintenance to keep the at-home ritual effective. “A regularly scheduled Dermaplane or deep-cleansing facial can make a huge difference.” she says. “That way your at home routine is just a continuation of those professional services, and you can enjoy healthy, supple, clear skin continuously.”