Rejuvenate rough, dull skin with these expert-recommended exfoliants. Cold weather can take a toll on your skin, causing dry, rough, and flaky patches. That’s why it’s important to take care of them with the best body scrubs and scrubs.
Using a body scrub to remove dead skin cells can help heal your skin and take it to the next level. You have to be careful not to overdo it, or you could make things worse. “Physical exfoliants can remove dry patches of skin caused by the winter air and dramatically change the texture of your skin.
“However, overusing a body scrub can make your skin too rough and weaken the skin’s protective barrier,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Over-exfoliation can strip the skin of its natural oils and nutrients, leading to dryness and irritation all over the body.” ”
How to choose the best body scrub for your skin. So how does a body scrub remove dead skin without causing redness or dryness? It’s important to consider various aspects:
Chemical peels. Dr. Engman prefers chemical “peels” containing glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid over physical peels that use particles. She says these chemical peels help “effectively exfoliate the top layer of the stratum corneum, also known as the outermost layer of the skin, without the risk of skin damage from vigorous scrubbing with formulas containing abrasive particles.”
Body scrubs. Roberta Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, likes physical exfoliants and micro-peels. Micro-peels feel pleasant on your skin because they “contain small, less abrasive particles that gently remove dead skin while leaving the healthy skin barrier intact,” she says.
Think about how much you need. Whatever method you use, you don’t need too much: Dr. Engleman recommends applying only a cherry-sized amount to each part of your body. Massage gently (no need to really scrub!), then follow up with a hydrating lotion or cream to lock in moisture.
First, the best dermatologist-recommended body scrubs for your bathing routine:
1. Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub: This silky, dreamy scrub deserves a spot in our 2020 Health & Beauty Awards. “Dove Body Scrub is my favorite (and the one I use in the shower) because its small particle size makes it less abrasive to the skin,” says Shari Marchbein, MD, a New York City dermatologist and member of the American Academy of Dermatology. “It contains glycerin, shea butter, and other moisturizing ingredients to gently exfoliate dead skin cells.” ”
2. ASUTRA Rejuvenating Eucalyptus Body Scrub: This silky scrub is based on finely ground Dead Sea salts and infused with soothing aloe vera, nourishing jojoba and argan oils, and energizing eucalyptus oil to add a touch of aromatherapy to your shower experience.
“This product has been a miracle for my skin. “For 14 years, I’ve had three psoriasis patches on my elbows and behind one ear,” one reviewer wrote. “I’ve tried dozens of different things to get it under control. Nothing has ever come close to it until this product came along.
In four days, it was hard to tell that the grapefruit-sized psoriasis patches had appeared on each of my elbows. Nodes. No scale on the skin. No redness.”
3. DERMDoctor KP Dermatologist-on-Duty Formula Body Scrub: For mature skin, chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are the best form of body scrub, says DermDoctor KP, Ph.D. Engelman.
It combines glycolic acid, lactic acid, antioxidant-rich green tea, and botanical particles to exfoliate and restore skin’s radiance. (Use only on sensitive areas of the body where skin is sensitive. If in doubt, patch test first.)
4. First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub:
“It’s a combination of physical and chemical exfoliation, using pumice beads along with glycolic and lactic acids to remove keratinized bumps around hair,” says Corey L. Hartman, M.D., et al. “Licorice root extract and willow bark extract also help soothe and smooth the skin.”
5. Avène Gentle Body Scrub: Your skin will feel luxuriously soft after using this gentle body scrub, which is enriched with camelina oil, thermal water, and shea butter to gently remove dead skin cells while locking in moisture.
It contains biodegradable, non-abrasive cellulose and two sizes of jojoba wax beads to improve skin texture. Plus, the ingredients are nourishing and moisturizing, making skin softer.
6. Paula’s Choice Light Body Treatment 2% BHA: This full-body treatment combines 2% salicylic acid with nourishing, fragrance-free botanical extracts to nourish and smooth skin.
The formula gently exfoliates dead skin cells for a visibly softer, smoother, and less uneven complexion.
7. OSEA Earth Salt Body Scrub “It uses sea salt as the primary exfoliant and is best for people with normal, combination, and oily skin,” advises Dr. Hartman. “Not only does it leave your skin feeling soft, but it also contains shea butter and avocado oil to hydrate the skin.”
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
