How to pick a chemical exfoliator for YOUR skin
Our skin is 64% water. Think of your skin as the ocean with oil and debris floating around with more oil correlating to an oily skin type, and less oil correlating to a dry skin type. A chemical exfoliant is a great option for stimulating cell turnover to do away with dead skin and clearing the follicles of impurities without causing scarring.
BHAs for Oily/Acneic Skin
When applying a BHA like salicylic acid to an oil/water solution, the bubbles disperse! BHAs are oil soluble and can travel farther into the follicle than other acids which is great for oily/acne skin types that have larger more prevalent follicles.
Azelaic Acid for Dark Spots
Azelaic acid is a tyrosinase inhibitor. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that produces melanin or the dark spots on your skin. As a plus it soothes inflammation from acne so it is a great combo for those who suffer from scarring after a blemish!
AHAs for Normal/Combination Skin
AHAs are water soluble and a great option for normal/combination skin types because they aid in skin cell turnover so the healthier less damaged skin can come to the surface faster.
Lactic Acid for Dry Skin
Lactic acid is a part of a skin moisturizing factor or NMF. NMFs naturally occur in the epidermis (your top skin layer) to help form a water-proof barrier. Those with dry skin struggle to maintain a healthy barrier to hydrate and protect the skin, so this solution is great ingredient to stimulate cell turn over while protecting the skin’s barrier.
