What is the best type of facial scrubs? How frequent for oily and combination skin?
Hi Aisyah,
I don’t recommend to use scrubs. Instead, for cleansing, you may use a gentle, effective cleanser that is oil emulsion-based to remove makeup pigments, followed by a lathering cleanser which contains natural alternative emulsifiers such as Honey, or Soy. Traditional scrubs with beady rough material may make your skin feel “clean” but in reality your skin will become sensitive and irritated with time. You may limit skin cleansing to twice per day.
As for exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin, this is an important and necessary part of any skincare routine. However, you may be doing more harm to your skin than good if you exfoliate by scrubbing your face with harsh granules.
There are 2 forms of exfoliation:
1.) Physical exfoliation – relies on the rubbing of granules, particles or materials over the face to remove dead skin cells by gentle mechanical force. While this kind of exfoliation can leave you feeling refreshed, the technique can be too harsh for the skin, especially for individuals with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Physical exfoliation may even weaken the skin’s barrier function and leave your skin red or irritated. This is a no-no for those with active acne, rosacea and eczema.
2.) Chemical exfoliation – relies on fruit enzymes and gentle acids to slough off dead skin. This mechanism is much more controlled, gentler than physical exfoliation and suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. (Chemical peels, AHA, BHA)
Benefits of exfoliation: We shed dead skin cells naturally as new skin cells slowly travel up from the deepest skin layers to the surface. When we exfoliate, we remove the build-up of dead skin cells. Regular exfoliation can reveal younger, brighter skin with an even tone.
The benefits of chemical exfoliation may make it tempting to use AHAs and BHAs often. However, too much exfoliation can disrupt your skin barrier and cause the skin to become red and inflamed.
I hope this helps with your question.
Dr Teo Wan Lin
Dermatologist