SCRUBS VS AHA/BHA | Skin advise with Phoebs
You may or may not recognise these two skin care terms, if you're wondering what they are and what's better to use, keep reading!
Both of these terms are in relation to exfoliators. Exfoliators are used to remove dead skin cells, leaving you with that soft baby bottom skin... fingers crossed. Typically these items are used by those who want to address their blackheads and/ or pimples. Although we should all be exfoliating, correctly.
There are many types of scrubs; salt, sugar, coffee, granular, beaded, etc. Some better than others, but all work in the same way.
Scrubs PHYSICALLY remove dead skin cells.
This means they pull/ buff off the topical surface layer of the epidermis.
If you have a normal to oily skin type in healthy condition with no breakout's or blemish's (well i'm extremely jealous), a gentle scrub can be suitable for surface exfoliation. Those with other skin types and conditions may experience the following problems over time, due to this form of exfoliation being physical it can:
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Stripping of the skin's natural barrier and oils resulting in dryness, sensitivity, redness, inflammation, irritation and premature ageing.
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Spread of bacteria as the physical elements of a scrub are pushed across a breakout or blemish, it spreads and contaminates other pores and follicles. Resulting in... more breakouts!
If you just love the feel of a scrub and have a pretty normal skin type, try to use a very, very, very... gentle one and avoid breakouts completely! OR even better, use it on our body instead!
AHA is an alpha hydroxy acid, BHA is a beta hydroxy acid... to most people that's gibberish, but let me explain!
AHA/BHA's are chemical exfoliators (naturally deprived chemicals).
Do any of these look familiar?
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Lactic Acid (AHA)
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Glycolic Acid (AHA)
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Salicylic Acid (BHA)
This means they use their ingredients to chemically dissolve dead skin cells. The best things about this form is that they not only work on the surface skin but they also work into the deeper layer's of the skin called the dermis. This helps to release built up oils (pimples, blemishes, blackheads) and increase cell turnover.
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Lactic Acid |
Hydrates the skin while removing surface cells. It stimulates collagen and elastin, fading fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to fade age spots and pigmentation. |
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Glycolic Acid |
Speeds up cell turnover by dissolving bonds between old cells allowing them to be removed easily. |
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Salicylic Acid |
Dissolves skin bonds between old/ dead skin cells. Particularly working well for the debris and oil causing pore clogging and acne. |
These AHA's/ BHA's must be a low Ph range of 3 or 4 to be effective in skin care exfoliators. So if the product doesn't display the PH range, it may not be as effective as a product that does.
Almost everyone can use them! This is due to how controlled this form of exfoliation is. Home care AHA/BHA exfoliators generally have a 2-4% potency, and for a stronger level of exfoliation, you can visit a skin clinic for a professional peel. If you have a severely broken barrier (hyper sensitive, red, irritated and/ or sore), it is my recommendation to build your skin strength and health before doing any form of exfoliation.
If you have dry, normal, oily or combination skin with any or multiple skin conditions such as pimples, blackheads, congestion, dryness, dullness, ageing: you are suitable for this form of exfoliation. I advise to those who haven't tried an AHA/BHA exfoliator at home or haven't had a professional peel in a skin clinic before to gradually start the use of these products, to get yourself and your skin used to them.
For our Lab Cellular Exfoliator, using once weekly to begin with until tingling sensation becomes less noticeable, then increasing to twice weekly. If tingly sensation is intense, remove off of skin after a few minutes and build your way up to the full duration of time. As your skin becomes stronger and healthier, this tingling sensation can become completely unnoticeable, however the product is still working!
Try using Lab Cellular Exfoliator with Lab Cleansing Foam and Peptide Recovery.
Phoebs x
