BY: CHANTALLE DUFFIN
We get told time and time again that exfoliation is the key to revealing beautiful glowing skin. But when you hear the words exfoliation you may instantly think of a gritty granulated scrub, there is however another player in the exfoliation game that you may have overlooked.
Acids or chemical exfoliators are the unsung heroes of the skincare world. Whether you want to fight the signs of ageing, improve uneven skin tone, lighten scarring, reduce redness, alleviate dullness or really all of the above (because who doesn’t want flawless skin!?) your skincare routine needs an acid, stat.
From hyaluronic and glycolic to lactic and salicylic acid, there is a chemical exfoliator to suite every skin type and every skin concern, even the most sensitive.
But if the thought of adding an ‘acid’ to your skincare routine still makes you downright shudder, you may want to reconsider your stance. Not all exfoliators were created equal and using physical scrub may actually be doing more damage to your skin than you might think.
While using a good scrub on your face may feel like the easiest way to get glowing skin, it may actually be the cause of your inflamed dehydrated skin instead. Manual exfoliators typically use particles with harsh or jagged edges such as apricot kernels, oatmeal or sugar that can tear or irritate the skin.
Chemical exfoliation on the other hand does the same work as a physical exfoliant without the abrasive texture. They are much more gentle and dissolve dead skin cells, boost collagen production and even hydrate the skin.
This is your guide to the most common chemical exfoliators for glowing skin – and where to find them! 
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is a type of naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that deeply penetrates the skin to not only exfoliate and resurface but also hydrate, firm skin texture by encouraging collagen production and soften pigmentation. Glycolic is best for those who want to treat pre-mature ageing, sun damage or acne scarring.
Our picks: Alpha-H Liquid Gold ($64.00), Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner ($26.00), Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads ($34.99).
MORE – Is Nip + Fab (Kylie Jenner’s Favourite) Worth The Hype?
1 Comment
Great recommendations! Thanks for sharing! I love the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. For anyone looking for a good night serum for dry skin.