Understanding Retinol
Starting your Retinol Journey? Retinol is a powerful skincare ingredient that has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the upper layer of the skin and may be performed by exfoliants in skincare or by physical treatments. Buffing away dead skin cells helps to reveal healthy skin cells, giving the skin a more radiant glow and smoothness. Chemical exfoliants found in skincare typically consist of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, mandelic, citric, lactic and salicylic acid.
Although exfoliation is important for dry skin to help remove dead skin cells and flaking, mechanical methods may be damaging to the skin and only mild exfoliating sponges should be used. It is better to use chemical methods, such as glycolic acid, for dry skin types. Make sure to use moisturiser afterwards.
Oily skin types often have a built-up residue on the surface and physical exfoliation is usually the preferred method to remove this, which may also be followed up by a skincare product containing an alpha or beta hydroxy acid. Using a cleanser tailored to oily skin types before buffing will also help remove any oils on the skin.
It is often recommended to avoid physical exfoliation and to only consider gentle skincare products, otherwise the skin is likely to become reddened and sore. For acne sufferers with sensitive skin, using salicylic acid will have a dual benefit.
All methods of exfoliation are suitable and the regime that is used is down to personal preference. Normal skin types are often suited to a daily skincare product, followed by a weekly physical exfoliation that may include the face and body.
An Alpha Hydroxy Acid, glycolic is derived from sugarcane and has the ability to deeply penetrate the skins layers and aid the production of new collagen for cellular turnover. Glycolic acid helps build the structure of the skin’s fibroblasts which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is important when using glycolic acid to remember to protect the skin with sunscreen.
Mandelic is an AHA derived from almond and best suited to problematic skin types, such as oily and shiny. It has antibacterial properties, making mandelic acid a solution for acne-prone skin types to deeply cleanse impurities from the pores and mop away excess oils.
Lactic acid is an AHA which is derived from milk, but can also be made synthetically . Lactic helps to keep the skin soft and supple as well as providing a gentle exfoliation by eating away at the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
Citric acid is an AHA and derived from several different citrus fruits and is often used to help reduce the appearance of photo-damage and improve the structure of the skin’s formation. Although primarily an AHA, certain formulations of citric acid are actually classified as a BHA and more suitable for unclogging pores and reducing sebum production.
A BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) derived from willow bark and known for being a derivative of aspirin. It increases the shedding of the dead skin cells in conditions such as acne and other pore clogging skin conditions. Most commonly used for the treatment of acne skin as it breaks the sticky bond that causes unsightly breakouts and excessive oil.
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A highly effective foaming cleansing gel that uses dual acids to improve the clarity of the skin and remove the build up of dead skin cells. This cleanser contains 8% glycolic acid and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Containing salicylic, citric, mandelic and tartaric acid, as well as pro-Vitamin A, it exfoliated dead skin cells and unclogs pores.
Environ’s Sebu-Lac Lotion is a non-oily formulation containing a combination of lactic acid and skin moisturisers for a problemed skin type.
This cleanser combines the potent acids, salicylic and glycolic, to exfoliate and smooth the appearance of skin prone to breakouts and premature ageing.
NeoStrata’s Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser is a deeply exfoliating mandelic cleanser ,perfect for oily and breakout prone skin types.
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Starting your Retinol Journey? Retinol is a powerful skincare ingredient that has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Acids are commonly used in skincare and there are so many on the market that it can be confusing to know how and when to