Skin renewal is a constant cycle which plays a vital role in maintaining the natural health of the skin. When skin cells reach their maturity, they become ineffective. While some of them shed some stay behind and eventually gather in the pores, clogging them. This in turn can affect new cell turnover which helps in reducing pigmentation, scarring and dullness. Daily cleansing can refresh the skin and get rid of dirt but once in a while, exfoliating or scrubbing the face can be incredibly beneficial in getting rid of deeply clogged, stubborn dead skin cells and sebum. Want to reduce the annoying occurrence of pimples, blackheads and texture? Let’s learn about all things facial exfoliators.

The Different Types Of Facial Exfoliators

• Natural scrub particles:There are various natural ingredients that are mandatory to be available to shop facial scrubs for men. In many at-home remedies and natural face scrubs like sugar, salt, turmeric, apricot seed powder and walnut shell powder. These are often mixed with emollient bases like natural wax and carrier oils to soften the particles so they’re not overly abrasive on the skin. Apricot seed and walnut shell powders are great if you want to give your skin deep exfoliation. However, if you prefer a milder scrub, sugar and salt-based facial scrubs for men are better as they gradually dissolve. Sugar scrubs are also great if you want to get rid of the dead skin cells and roughness from your lips.
• Physical exfoliating beads:These are more refined versions of natural scrub particles. While older formulations made use of microplastic, the skin care space is gradually moving to more sustainable facial scrubs for men that are made with biodegradable exfoliating beads that gently scrub away dead skin cells while also being easy on the environment. If you’re unsure of using DIY face scrubs, look for facial scrubs for men with even-sized exfoliating beads.

• Facial brush heads:If you find that having a separate face wash and exfoliating routine can be a bit much on your skin, consider investing in a face-cleansing brush. These come in multiple sizes. They come in both manual and electric versions as per convenience. Cleansing your face with a brush once or twice a week with your regular face wash will give your skin the required amount of exfoliation. If you want to take the guesswork from choosing a facial brush, you can even go for a face wash that comes with a built-in brush head.
• Chemical-base exfoliants:In recent times, we’ve seen the emergence of chemical-based exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs which are also known as active exfoliating ingredients. Alpha Hydroxy Acids are water-soluble exfoliants that are mostly used to get rid of gritty texture and dead skin cells on the topmost layer of the skin. Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, Kojic acid and lactic acid are some examples of AHA. Beta Hydroxy Acids are oil-soluble exfoliants that go deeper into the layers of the skin to dissolve grime, excess oil, hardened sebum and acne-causing bacteria. The most commonly used BHA is salicylic acid which is great for removing pimples and blackheads.

How To Choose Face Scrubs Based On Skin Types

• Normal-combination skin:Normal skin types are considered to be low maintenance and more likely to get away with trying a wide range of skincare products. The most common type of combination skin is normal skin with an oily T-zone (center of the forehead, nose and chin). Therefore, such skin types can use a wide range of exfoliators without worrying about skin reactions. If your nose is more prone to blackheads, you can either use a salicylic acid-based face wash or a physical scrub.
• Oily skin/Acne-prone skin:Oily skin is most likely to get more oxidized and bumpy as pollution and dirt sticky to the skin easily, clogging the pores. In such cases, oily skin types would need a thorough exfoliating routine. However, this should be done with a careful approach. If your skin doesn’t have active breakouts, you can get away with using natural or physical facial scrubs for men to lift away excess oil, dirt and pollution. If your skin is bumpy with whiteheads or pimples, it’s better to use chemical exfoliators as they gently dissolve excess dirt, oil and dead skin cells.
• Dry/dehydrated skin:If you have dehydrated skin, it could mean that your skin doesn’t naturally produce that much oil to keep the skin moisturized. Hence, it’s not ideal to use physical scrubs unless you’re looking for a deep cleanse. For a weekly exfoliating routine, it’s better to use an AHA-based exfoliant once or twice a week as they gently lift off texture and dead skin cells without compromising the natural oils in the skin. If your skin gets an odd pimple or two, use a BHA-based acne treatment cream that will zap them out.

Additional tips to know

• Unlike face wash, a facial scrub must not be used every day as it is harsh on the skin. The ideal number of times to use a face scrub is once or twice a week, depending on your skin type.
• If you have bumpy pimples, refrain from using physical scrubs as the area is already inflamed. When you rub physical scrubs across pimples, they break the skin, leading to scarring and skin aggravation. So, the best way to get rid of raised blackheads and pimples is by using an active-based/chemical exfoliator that will gently dissolve dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria.
• If you’re using a brush head to scrub your face, make sure to use gentle circular motions so as to not irritate the skin. Also, make sure to clean it every once in a while to maintain proper hygiene.
• Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs come in various forms of skin care products right from face washes to face masks. You do not need them all. Instead, choose 1-2 products based on your skin type and skin concern.
• If you have sensitive skin, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist before choosing the right scrub that will suit your skin.