Peeling, scrubbing, exfoliating – is it important?
What does it mean to peel the skin?
Peeling is basically about removing the dead skin cells on the skin and cleaning the pores of dirt and grime. The skin continuously produces new skin cells, which push the old and worn-out skin cells to the surface. If these depleted skin cells are not removed, they can form a dull and grey surface on the skin, which will also be more prone to pimples etc.
When the skin is peeled, it is deeply cleansed and cell renewal down in the skin is stimulated. So you get a healthier, softer and smoother surface. If you want to provide your skin with a deeper care, you can use a mask afterwards. We have hydrating masks, deep cleansing masks etc. If you want to know more about our masks, you can read this article.
There are different ways to peel the skin. There’s the mechanical way, and then there’s the biological/chemical way. Which one is right for you depends on how you prefer to care for your skin.
Is it called peeling, scrubbing or exfoliating?
Peeling, scrubbing and exfoliating are synonyms for each other and cover the same treatment of the skin. However, many people associate scrub – that is, scrubbing – with products that contain grains, which are associated with mechanical peeling.
What is a mechanical peeling?
It might sound a bit odd that skincare can be ‘mechanical’, but it’s actually more common than you think.
Mechanical simply means that it requires a movement to have an effect; you must therefore do something to activate the product. The mechanical peeling is made with products that contain small fine grains, which are massaged around the face and remove the dead skin cells. It is the very movement of the product that gives the exfoliating effect and the more you massage, the more the skin will be cleansed.
Mechanical exfoliation, mechanical scrub, mechanical peeling
Our classic Face Peeling is a mild and gentle facial scrub, that contains small round and soft pearls of Cellulose Acetate*. The product should be massaged gently over the skin in circular motions, allowing the pearls to gently rub away dead skin cells.
The pearls are very fine and gentle, so you don’t risk tearing or irritating the skin, which can be a risk with mechanical peelings. It’s not ‘the more the merrier’, although it’s easy to get caught out and just want to give your skin a good going over, now you’re prioritising getting it done.
Once the pearls have been massaged into the face, wash off the product and then cleanse the skin with your normal cleanser. It is important to remember to clean afterwards so that any dirt loosened during treatment is completely removed.
*Cellulose Acetate is a natural and biodegradable ingredient that does not harm the environment and can therefore be washed off.
Who can use mechanical exfoliation
The Scrub can be used by all skin types, even the most sensitive, but you need to be aware of what ‘abrasive grains’ the product contains and how hard/mild they are. It is better to do a little than to do too much, as it can damage the skin if it is scratched by the grains.
Therefore, you should also pay special attention if you have acne. Often a biological / chemical peel is chosen for acne cases, but it is possible to use our facial scrubbecause the grains are so soft and gentle on the skin. That’s why we think it’s one of the best scrubs for the face.
Biological / chemical peeling
Unlike the mechanical peeling where you control the peel with your movements, a chemical peel does most of the work itself. A chemical peeling contains acids that dissolve dead skin cells, paving the way for cell renewal without you having to do anything.
Is chemical peeling dangerous?
Treating the skin with chemicals sounds dangerous and harmful to some, and in the past it was also said that chemical peelings could make the skin thinner and more vulnerable, but today there is rarely anything to fear from chemical skin exfoliation.
At Beauté, we have spent time developing our chemical peeling products to not only remove dead skin cells, but also help rebuild strong skin.
Since we use natural ingredients with peeling properties, we would actually rather call them biological peelings than chemical ones.
We have three different biological peelings, which with their content of acids just slip into the category of chemical peelings – but we have not completely let go of the mechanical part when applying the products.
Cleansing wipes with peeling
Just because peeling the skin is a – for some – luxury treatment, it doesn’t have to be difficult or cumbersome. In fact, sometimes it can be done really easily.
For example, we have developed biodegradable peeling wipes, that are used exactly like a regular cleaning wipe, but do much more and have a much greater effect.
Our Bio- Dermabrasion Peeling Wipes contain one ingredient with good properties:
- Mandelic acid that gently exfoliates the skin. It has a large molecule size, which makes it penetrate the skin more slowly and therefore works mildly but with great effect. It loosens the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the skin so that they are more easily removed from the skin.
- Salicylic acid that works deeper into the skin and stimulates cell renewal so dead skin cells can be replaced faster.
- Plant extracts from i.a. cucumber, ginger, oats and liquorice root. For example, the plant extracts have anti-inflammatory properties, they soothe, prevent and heal the skin
In addition, we have of course also added moisturizing properties. These include Niacinamide, which strengthens the skin barrier, restores elasticity and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
We have adapted our wipes so that they can be used by all skin types. On one side there is a mild texture and on the opposite a coarser one, so you can choose which treatment you want. For sensitive skin types, we recommend using the mild side, which still has a great effect due to the active ingredients. Some also choose to combine the two sides, for example using the gentle exfoliation side on most of the face, and the rougher side on selected areas where they feel there is an extra need.
Whether you choose the mild or coarse side, you get an exfoliating effect from the biological exfoliating ingredients, while the strength of the mechanical action is controlled by you.
Face scrub for men
Another ‘scrub cream’ which uses the biological/chemical ingredients for peeling is our Masculinity Facial Scrub. Like peeling wipes, this also draws on both mechanical and chemical processes, and has, among other things, properties that exfoliate, smooth, stimulate blood circulation, etc.
It contains 3 different acids:
- Glycolic acid that penetrates and removes dead skin cells and increases the skin’s moisture level
- Salicylic acid which dissolves dead skin cells, opens clogged pores and prevents them from clogging again
- Azlaic acid which removes redness, opens pores and counteracts the bacteria that causes acne
In addition, the scrub also has the exfoliating pearls added, just like our mechanical face peeling, which must be massaged over the skin to remove dead skin cells, as well as Glycerin, which is a strong moisturizer.
For both mechanical and biological peeling to take place, the cream must first be applied and massaged around the face. It should then sit for up to 20 minutes, allowing the acids to work into the skin. The remaining cream is rinsed off with plenty of water and followed by a clay mask and/or cleanser and moisturiser.
The scrub can be used by both men and women. It is just the scent that has been turned in the masculine direction.
Strong exfoliation for the face
Our special Clinical Super3 Exfoliator is a powerful scrubbing cream that also combines the mechanical peeling with round soft pearls and biological extracts and acids that break down the dead skin cells on their own.
The combination of the different acids and the exfoliating mechanical massage makes the skin surface extraordinarily soft. The treatment stimulates blood circulation and gives both an even surface and a fantastic glow, and the skin feels really refreshed afterwards.
The Clinical series is very special, as it has been designed for people who have skin conditions such as acne, sun damage or Rosacea . It contains many active ingredients and is often the one recommended by a skin scan or dermatologist consultation.
Due to the highly active ingredients, Propolis and Rooibos are also added which reduce inflammation in the skin and fight impurities and scarring. In addition, it contains soothing ingredients like liquorice root extract and moisturising ingredients like Glycerin.
Who can use biological peeling products?
Biological, chemical, peelings can be used by all skin types. It varies how mild or aggressive they are and how your skin will react.
We think it’s important to remember that you can always do more. It’s harder to go back if you’ve done ‘too much’ and your skin reacts with redness or similar.
Our peeling products are mild and gentle on the skin, so they can be used by all skin types – even sensitive ones. Instead, you can adjust how often you use them, so instead of 2-3 times a month, it can be 1-3 times a week. That way you adjust the effect.
If you’re not sure which product is right for you and your skin type, you can either seek guidance from our consultants when they’re out at retailers, book an appointment at the Outpatient Clinic or contact us online.