What’s The Best Way To Exfoliate?

Can’t figure out why your makeup ends up looking blotchy halfway through the day? A key reason could be that your skin’s texture is uneven, causing your foundation to slip or sink into pores by lunchtime. An instant fix for this problem is to introduce an exfoliator to use once or twice a week, I promise you’ll notice a huge difference right away. 

Mechanical exfoliation

Perfect for all skin types, this type of cleanser is physically abrasive, and is the most commonly known way to slough away dead skin. It can come in the form of fine particles or a rough surface – think sugar or salt crystals, face towels, or even microbeads. To use, pop a small amount into your hand (try a 10 cent piece), and apply to a damp face. Rub your hands in circular motions, focusing on your T-zone (from the middle of your forehead and down your nose) and wash after about a minute of scrubbing. Try Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub, $13.99, Laura Mercier Face Polish, $45

Chemical exfoliation – AHAs

AHA stands for ‘alpha-hydroxy acid’, which is a kind of chemical exfoliant derived from plants or milk. The most commonly known AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid, which work to dissolve away the glue-like lipids that hold cells together, so you’re left with clean pores and almost-gone fine lines. This kind of scrub is ideal if you’ve got really dry or sun-damaged skin, as they’re quite effective in banishing pigmentation and improving moisture within the skin’s layers. Try Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub, $45, Elizabeth Arden Pro Invigorating Face & Body Scrub, $75

Chemical exfoliation – BHAs

BHA stands for ‘beta hydroxy acid’, which is also a chemical exfoliant similar to AHAs; they help to de-gunk pores and clear away dead skin cells to reveal healthy and glowing skin. Salicylic acid is the most commonly known BHA and is really effective in clearing blackheads and white bumps, and work really well on oily or acne-prone skin, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Try Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant, $32, Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub, $12.99

This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.