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Are facial scrubs with shells or beads too harsh on your skin? Or were you wondering if you should try at-home peels? Like serums or and moisturisers, exfoliators work best only if you use the right one for your skin type. We speak with a doctor and a pharmacist on what the different skin types need in an exfoliator.
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Some of us are born with naturally parched and flaky skin while others see a drop in moisture levels due to age, hormonal factors or exposure to environmental stressors.
Look out for: Scrub beads formulated in a hydrating cleanser base, says Mah Mei Hui, managing director and pharmacist, The Skin Pharmacy.
She adds that if you use a scrub with moisturising properties, you can exfoliate up to twice a week. Dr Georgia Lee, medical director of TLC Lifestyle Practice, says to exfoliate dry skin once weekly and to always follow up with a ceramide-based moisturiser.
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Porcelain Revive Natural Skin Refiner, $98 (50ml), uses natural enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells. Plus, natural aloe and natto extracts quench thirsty skin.
The Skin Pharmacy Natural Facial Scrub with Apricot, $29.90 (75g), has crushed apricot kernels and moisturising ingredients like glycerin and jojoba and sesame oils.
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Sothys Face Scrub, $82 (50ml), is a creamy formula that uses rice powder, white tea extract and shea oil to slough away dead skin.
Probably the most common skin type in Singapore, this usually means an oily T-zone and dryness on the cheek areas.
Look out for: Dr Lee suggests using a lotion with chemical exfoliating properties and ingredients like lactic acid as “it suits both dry and oilier areas”. And keep exfoliation to just once a month.
Kenzoki Amazing Exfoliating Water, $63 (200ml), has ginger plant essence with skin-purifying benefits.
Ren Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial, $74 (40ml). This overnight treatment mask exfoliates with a mix of AHAs, lactic and glycolic acids, and enzymes, as well as plumps up and deeply hydrates skin.
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser, $43 (125ml). The foam feels comforting on dry areas while micro-beads gently cleanse the oilier parts on your face.
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Some symptoms include redness, roughness, itching and even a tingling sensation when you use certain skincare or are exposed to heat.
Look out for: Choose an exfoliator with very fine beads and formulated with a cleanser base to reduce dryness as sensitive skin is usually dry, advises Mei Hui.
She adds that those with very sensitive skin should use exfoliators sparingly or skip them entirely.
Dr Lee says it’s best to avoid ingredients like alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) and to use a scrub “only on an ad-hoc basis when your skin feels sandy”.
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Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 Twice-a-Day Exfoliator, $39 (200ml), is an alcohol-free formula for gentle, non-drying exfoliation.
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Fancl Skin Renewal Pack, $48 (40g), is made with moisture-boosting mineral salts, fresh royal jelly essence and European pear juice ferment filtrate.
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Dr.Belter Cosmetic – Intensa Soft Peeling, $55 (50ml), is a gel has soothing plant extracts such as aloe vera and centella asiatica.
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Ideally, one should not use a physical scrub as the granules can be too harsh on acne and “burst” it, leaving scars, explains Mei Hui.
Look out for: Dr Lee likes salicylic acid for its oil and acne control benefits. Her advice? Exfoliate just once every two to four weeks.
Eucerin DermoPurifyer Scrub, $21.90 (100ml), is formulated to control excess sebum and it also boasts an anti-bacterial effect.
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Arcona Tabula Rasa Pads, $44 (45 pads), have an acne-fighting formula to help heal blemishes. It is also said to fend off bacteria with lactic acid.
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Natura Bisse Glycoline Glyco Extreme Peel, $455 (30ml) Besides the usual salicylic acid, this has five other AHAs and a new-generation peptide to renew the skin surface.
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This skin type seems to be made for exfoliators. After all, clogged pores do need a little extra polishing help.
But Mei Hui cautions: “People with very oily skin often have blackheads which they think can be cleared with physical scrubs… but they must understand that physical scrubs aren’t the cure-all for these.”
Look out for: Instead she recommends chemical exfoliators as the ingredients found in them – like AHAs and beta-hydroxy-acids such as salicylic acid – can loosen the bonds between skin cells and clear blackhead or whitehead plugs.
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, $50 (100ml), is a creamy clay mask doubles up as an exfoliator, swiping off dead skin cells with jojoba beads.
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For Beloved One Mandelic Acid Renewal Lotion, $42 (50ml), helps to brighten up skin tone and reduce oiliness.
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