Often put aside, facial exfoliation is nevertheless essential to rid the skin of dead cells, boost cell renewal and ensure a luminous complexion all year round. Indeed, when the surface of the skin is cluttered with residue and dead cells, the complexion is dull and the skin appears tired, but do you know which active ingredients to choose to exfoliate your skin without damaging it?
Chemical or mechanical exfoliation?
In cosmetics there are two types of exfoliation, mechanical exfoliation, obtained by using a grain scrub which will scrape the surface of the skin to remove impurities and dead skin, and chemical exfoliation which does not contain grains. but active ingredients that will dissolve impurities. At Seasonly, we recommend chemical exfoliation with gentle active ingredients, unlike mechanical exfoliation which will alter the skin's hydro-lipid film and create micro-lesions, chemical exfoliation is gentler and more suitable for sensitive skin. .
AHAs - Alpha-Hydroxy acids
AHAs are a group of acids naturally found in foods and used to exfoliate the skin. They work by breaking down the bonds between dead cells on the skin's surface, allowing for easier removal. Their regular use makes the complexion brighter, more uniform and helps reduce the signs of aging.
Glycolic acid : Coming from sugar cane, this is the most popular AHA. It quickly penetrates the skin to eliminate dead surface cells.
Lactic acid : Derived from milk, it is particularly gentle and therefore suitable for sensitive skin.
Mandelic acid : Extracted from bitter almonds, it has a larger molecule, which makes it less irritating than glycolic acid.
Our recommendation: Used on clean skin once a week, the Anti-Grisaille Mask with AHAs helps rid the skin of dead cells and reveals the radiance of the complexion.
BHAs - Beta-Hydroxylated acids
BHAs are oil-soluble acids particularly known for their ability to penetrate deep into the pores of the skin. Unlike AHAs which remove dead cells on the surface, BHAs target excess oil and impurities inside pores, making them particularly effective against blackheads and other blemishes.
Salicylic acid : Unlike AHAs, it is fat-soluble, which allows it to penetrate deep into the pores and exfoliate from the inside, this active ingredient is particularly recommended for skin prone to blemishes and acne.
However, we have chosen at Seasonly - as a precautionary principle - not to integrate it into our formulas because it is categorized as CRM (substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction).
Fruit enzymes
These enzymes act as natural exfoliants, helping to break down dead cells on the skin's surface without mechanical abrasion. Unlike AHAs and BHAs, fruit enzymes provide gentle exfoliation and are perfect for sensitive or irritation-prone skin.
Papain : Extracted from papaya, this enzyme breaks down dead skin cells.
Bromelain : Derived from pineapple, it works similarly to papain.
Our recommendation: Designed to meet the needs of all skin types, even the most sensitive, our New Skin Mask is a concentrate of fruit enzymes designed to gently exfoliate the skin.
If exfoliation is essential, we nevertheless recommend that you choose your active ingredient carefully and use sunscreen with a high protection factor for the three days following chemical exfoliation because certain active ingredients such as AHAs or BHAs are known to be photosensitizing.
