Why should I be using an exfoliant?

Simply put, exfoliants are the best anti-aging products we have to get rid of old, dry, dead skin cells. Removing dead skin stimulates cell turnover beneath the surface and reveals fresh, new skin. When you remove that top layer of dead skin, you’re also allowing any product with active ingredients to permeate the skin more deeply—reaching the deeper layers where they really make a difference.

A good exfoliant is gentle and will cleanse the skin thoroughly without over-drying it. Years ago, it was popular to use physical scrubbing agents that we now know are harmful to the skin—they were full of ingredients that would cause tiny rips and tears in the skin’s surface. 

Did you know? Exfoliants can be mechanical or chemical. Mechanical exfoliants use elements like tiny beads to physically scrub and remove dead skin cells and dirt. Chemical exfoliants loosen the attachments of dead skin cells so that they can be more easily removed. You may have heard of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid—these ingredients are all in the chemical exfoliant family.

We recommend using exfoliants as part of your daily skincare routine. At-home products can be incredibly effective and may be used regularly to rejuvenate your skin. If you’re new to exfoliation, start with incorporating it into your routine twice a week to give your skin a chance to adjust. You can switch to nightly exfoliation as your skin acclimatizes.

Two of our favourite physical exfoliants are from the ZO® Skin Health line: ZO® Exfoliating Polish and ZO® Dual-Action Scrub. We love that these products are backed by science and proven results. The Exfoliating Polish is a mechanical exfoliant, using magnesium crystals to help gently remove dead skin cells and prevent pores from clogging. The Dual-Action Scrub is our exfoliant of choice for acne prone skin. It contains lactic acid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil that work together to rid your skin of excess oil and the bacteria that cause acne. This is a more vigorous scrub, so it’s best to start with using it twice a week as your skin gains tolerance. You can increase the frequency until you are using it nightly. 

The ZO® Exfoliation Accelerator is one of our best chemical exfoliants. With a combination of glycolic and lactic acids, this powerhouse product provides gentle yet effective exfoliation of dead skin cells while providing calming and soothing benefits with an aloe, green tea and chamomile blend. 

Exfoliating just 2 to 3 times a week can go a long way towards giving you that healthy glow! Removing dead skin and surface debris gives your skin a smoother texture and radiant appearance. A smoother texture means less wrinkles and fine lines, and more of the beautiful even skin tone we all aim for.

Need more advice on which exfoliant is right for your skin? Book a skincare consultation with us today!