Published on The DC Edit, 1 Oct 2020
If dull was personified, she would look like my skin. That, I admit. I have always suffered with a lack of lustre on my complexion and even when I do commit to an extensive and dare-I-say effective skincare regime, my face is still far from radiant. What was the problem? Why do the Koreans have such glorious skin and why can’t I have that? Such are the burning questions I think of everyday.
When I break down my skincare regime, I realised that the one step I don’t do enough is exfoliating. I figured that if I ate well, went out for fresh air and reduced my blue-light exposure, I would be closer to achieving pearly radiance on my face. However, it truly wasn’t enough because exfoliation is the first step of ensuring your brightening elixirs, and all the steps that come after, work.
Without an absorbent barrier, your skincare layering of serums, moisturisers and essences are unable to sink in. If you really break it down to every single step and product used, you lose money too.
So, let’s go back to the basics.
There are 2 types of exfoliation – physical and chemical. Both slough off dead skin in different ways.
Who Is Physical Exfoliation For?
Normal Skin
Everyone can physically exfoliate, but for those with normal skin, a safe number would be two to three times a week! If you have a tougher and stronger skin barrier, your skin may have a higher resistance to tearing, itching and drying – but that does not mean you should exfoliate everyday. Excessive face scrubbing can expose your skin’s raw tissues to bacteria and infection, therefore scarring your skin. Take note to exfoliate on alternate days to let your skin rest and repair.
Easily Irritated Or Sensitive Skin
Exfoliating once to twice a week (at most) would be sufficient because risking tearing your already-sensitive skin barrier by overexfoliation can actually bring about more problems such as flared up scars, acne and redness.
Kira-kira Skin
If you are more of an instant gratification girl, you would probably tend to gravitate towards physical exfoliators. Its quick results and satisfying-to-touch consistency is what makes it so attractive to people who want a perk-me-up. This is due to the use of force to remove the dead skin cells on the face. With a physical buff, old skin doesn’t just slough away; it reveals an even brighter and smoother complexion that the daily environmental aggressors have unfortunately masked.
Rosy Cheeks For Weeks
Besides a bright complexion, physical exfoliators promote blood circulation through the face. Aided by its bead-like particles, the massaging action stimulates circulation and brings a natural colour to your cheeks. As such, your complexion would look more radiant and healthy, similar to the act of going outside for a jog or a fresh air. Furthermore, we could all use the extra help from circulation – staying and working from home can really dull our skin and make us feel rather dead.
Satisfaction In The Action
This may be a rather odd benefit but it exists. To some, to feel like the product is actually working, the process of physically buffing your dead skin away feels super satisfying. Kind of like wiping the makeup off your face and seeing the remnants on the cotton pad. It feels somewhat good to see that instant result of a brightened face. To add on, some physical exfoliators come with a scalpel or brush, therefore igniting a therapeutic exfoliating process that makes you appreciate the process even more.
Some Physical Exfoliators You Can Cop!
If physical touch is your love language, then these extraordinary physical exfoliators can bring you a step closer to the refined and brighter skin you’ve always wanted to have.
3. Kew Organics Divinely Gentle Micro Exfoliant, $61.60
Exfoliation for those with sensitive skin may not be a match-made in heaven and we fear to commit! However, Kew Organics aim to bust that myth, and devote us to this unconventional pairing. Their Divinely Gentle Micro Exfoliant is engineered for sensitive skin, so for those with dehydrated and devitalised dead skin cells, this is your significant other. Fulfill a luminous complexion with an infusion of micronised organic adzuki rice, bamboo powder, vitamins C and E, colloidal oatmeal and blueberry fruit fibre that altogether fights free radicals, protects, calms and hydrates your skin. Unveil younger-than-your-age skin, because it is now truly possible with this divine entity.
