Chemical vs Physical Exfoliation: What’s the Difference?

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Chemical vs Physical Exfoliation: What’s the Difference?

140 days ago By Omorovicza

Chemical vs Physical Exfoliation: What’s the Difference?

Regular exfoliation should play a key part in your skincare ritual to promote brighter, more youthful skin.

Read on to discover the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation, the best exfoliators for skin, and how to use them for optimal results.

What Is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation buffs away dead skin cells and promotes a radiant-looking complexion, using either a physical or chemical exfoliant.

By design, the skin naturally sheds dead skin cells in a 30-day cycle. Certain factors can prevent dead skin cells from shedding completely such as stress, indoor heating, and cold air.

As we age, cell turnover rates begin to slow down, leaving dead cells on the surface for longer. The accumulation of dead skin cells can clog the pores, leading to a dry, dull complexion.

Regular exfoliation boosts cell turnover and encourages the generation of new cells, leaving the skin appearing fresh and smooth.

There are two main types of exfoliation: physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants. While both serve a similar function, they work through different mechanisms.

Chemical vs Physical Exfoliation: What’s the Difference?

What Is Chemical Exfoliation?

Chemical exfoliation involves using chemicals like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and enzymes to renew and resurface the skin.

Chemical exfoliations can penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin to decongest pores and improve skin texture. They help remove the build-up of dead skin cells, excess sebum, and remaining impurities that can lead to breakouts and a lacklustre complexion.

It also works to stimulate collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote more youthful-looking skin.

What Is Physical Exfoliation?

Physical exfoliation involves manual scrubbing that physically removes dead skin cells and impurities from the surface of the skin. This method encourages micro-circulation, skin oxygenation, and cell renewal, to reveal a smoother, refined complexion.

Omorovicza’s physical exfoliants use luffa particles, a natural exfoliant derived from fruit, and pumice, a fine powder from lava stones formed from the magma of Strombolian volcanoes. These elements provide a gentle yet physical exfoliation that brightens skin tone.

Best Exfoliants

Best Chemical Exfoliants

Acid Fix
Acid Solution
Blue Diamond Resurfacing Peel
Silver Skin Saviour

Besy Physical Exfoliants

Refining Facial Polisher
Gentle Buffing Gelee

Acid Fix

Chemical

Using a potent blend of AHAs and BHA, Omorovicza’s Acid Fix exfoliates, resurfaces, brightens, and plumps lacklustre skin. This multi-purpose exfoliator and acid peel helps to reduce signs of damage inflicted by sun exposure, pollutants, and stress, revealing a younger-looking and more luminous complexion.

How to use: For best results, apply two to three drops at night after cleansing. Use as a bi-weekly treatment.

Acid Solution

Chemical

Omorovicza’s Acid Solution is a hydrating and exfoliating toner that leaves the skin appearing instantly smoother, softer, and more even in tone. Suitable for daily use, it uses a lower level of acids to clarify and revive dull complexions.

Formulated with polyglucoronic acid, this brightening solution promotes hyaluronic acid synthesis, leading to improved hydration and suppleness.

How to use: Using the fingertips or a cotton pad, apply a few drops to the face and neck after cleansing. Allow a few minutes to absorb, then follow with serum and moisturizer.

Blue Diamond Resurfacing Peel

Chemical

Ideal for sensitive skin, the Blue Diamond Resurfacing Peel is a gentle, yet effective PHA peel, designed to smooth and brighten the skin. Formulated with lactobionic acid (a PHA), it provides a mild exfoliation to stimulate cellular turnover without irritation and reveals a more radiant complexion.

How to use: Apply a generous amount to the face and neck after cleansing. Massage gently in circular motions for two to three minutes, avoiding the eye and lips. Rinse thoroughly. Always apply an SPF after using a facial peel.

Silver Skin Saviour

Chemical

Not suitable for sensitive skin.

The perfect treatment for blemish-prone skin, the Silver Skin Saviour combines the power of colloidal silver and niacinamide to combat breakouts and even skin tone.

Enriched with salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (an AHA), this colloidal silver treatment helps to exfoliate and decongest the skin, leaving it looking brighter and clearer.

How to use: Once a week, apply a generous amount to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on the skin for five minutes on first use, increasing to 10-15 for subsequent use (depending on skin sensitivity). Then, rinse with a damp mitt.

Refining Facial Polisher

Physical

Enriched with marine micro-algae and Hungarian moor mud, the Refining Facial Polisher refines skin texture, brightens tone, and draws out impurities.

This physical exfoliator uses natural pumice to slough off dead skin cells and accelerate cell turnover, revealing a smoother complexion.

How to use: Massage into the face and neck for a couple of minutes then rinse thoroughly. Use two to three times per week to polish and exfoliate the skin.

Expert Tip: Leave it on for a couple of minutes as a mask for added detox.

Gentle Buffing Gelee

Physical

Suitable for daily use, the Gentle Buffing Gelee strikes the perfect balance between a thorough exfoliation and a gentle cleanse.

Luffa particles gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and encourage skin oxygenation, leaving the skin smooth, soft, and refreshed with a natural glow.

How to use: Massage into damp skin as the first step in a brightening morning skincare routine or as the second step of an evening double cleanse, then rinse with a damp mitt.