Remember St. Ives Apricot Scrub? Remember how we all had it sitting in our bathrooms next to our bottle of Curve? Yeah, me too.
Apricot Scrub is okay. It's not Awesome, because it can be pretty abrasive and it is really not any better than using a washcloth and a mild cleanser. Plus, it is not good for acne. Blackheads? Maybe. Actual blemishes? No way. You know when you have a cut or sore on the inside of your mouth and you just Cannot. Leave. It. Alone? Yeah, using a scrub on top of red, swollen acne blemishes is essentially the same. You are just irritating the surrounding tissue and inhibiting healing.
Something else that does not make me crazy about scrubs? You cannot get them anywhere near your eyes. Conversely, there's really no place your washcloth can't go. Basically, whether it's to do with fashion, beauty, or otherwise, I just don't like to feel limited. Scrubs are limiting.
Ones of the Magic Keys to great skin is Exfoliation. The point is to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and makeup and also to increase cell turnover. It also increases circulation and fades wrinkles and discoloration. Exfoliation gets all the gunk out of the way so that your skincare products will work better. There are two types of exfoliation: manual and chemical. I have already written ad nauseum about the benefits of using a washcloth, so let's skip to chemical exfoliation.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA
The same as glycolic, citric, and lactic acids, AHAs penetrate the skin to increase cell turnover. They increase collagen production and are especially effective on sun-damaged skin.
Best Products containing AHAs:
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| derma e AHA Beauty Fluid |
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| Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir |
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| Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment |
The same as salicylic acid, BHAs reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and shrink pores. BHAs break down in oxygen, so make sure you do not purchase products that utilize jar packaging.
Best Products containing BHAs:
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| Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF 15 |
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| Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion |
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| Neutrogena Oil-Free Stress Control 3-in1 Hydrating Acne Treatment |
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