Discover 5 Compelling Reasons Why Physical Exfoliation Is So Beneficial For Your Complexion, compared to an Enzyme Exfoliator.
Exfoliation should be a vital part of your skincare routine if you are looking to create a radiant and healthy, glowing complexion.
When a product is physically massaged into the skin it gives amazing benefits to your complexion, along with benefits for your circulatory and lymphatic systems.
There are two main types of exfoliation:
1️⃣ Granular (physical) exfoliation
2️⃣ Enzyme/acid exfoliation
In this blog post, I am going to give you five compelling reasons why a granular face exfoliator is so beneficial for your skin compared to enzyme exfoliation - including promoting healthy skin, boosting your circulation and lymphatic flow.
Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions based on treating thousands of people's skin over the last 25 years - and I am not saying that Acids or Enzymes are bad for your skin, they can (and do) produce amazing results, but they can also increase your skin's sensitivity, increase pigmentation and increase the risk of Rosacea flare ups (My suggestion is to completely avoid Acids or Enzyme Exfoliators if you have Rosacea).
5 Reasons To Choose A Granular Exfoliator
1 - Immediate Visible Results
One of the biggest advantages of using a granular face exfoliator is that it provides immediate visible results. The physical effects of the granules helps remove dead skin cells, revealing fresher skin underneath.
This instant change in skin texture is perfect if you're looking for a quick boost in skin smoothness and radiance.
Enzyme exfoliators, on the other hand, may take several weeks of consistent use to show noticeable improvements.
2 - Boosts Circulation
When you use a granular face exfoliator with a gentle massage, you not only remove dead skin cells but also stimulate blood circulation.
The physical action of massaging the exfoliator onto your skin promotes better blood flow, which can result in a healthy, radiant complexion.
Improved circulation means your skin receives more oxygen and nutrients - leading to a brighter and more youthful appearance.
Enzyme exfoliation may take time to show noticeable improvements in blood flow and skin texture.
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF MASSAGE
Massaging also helps to calm the nervous system through touch. It adds an extra element that you may not normally consider, and promotes Self Care.
3 - Aids Lymphatic Drainage and Removal of Toxins
Massaging your exfoliator into your skin can assist with lymphatic drainage.
The gentle pressure applied during the massage helps move lymphatic fluid through your lymph nodes, aiding in the removal of toxins and waste products from your body.
This detoxification process can leave your skin looking clearer and less puffy.
Enzyme exfoliators do not offer the same lymphatic drainage benefits.
WHAT IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM 🤔❓
The lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance in the body, filters harmful substances, and supports the immune system by transporting lymph and immune cells throughout the body.
4 - Targeted Treatment
If you have specific areas of concern, such as dry patches or stubborn blackheads, granular exfoliators offer a targeted approach.
You can concentrate on problem areas, gently buffing over small blemishes, dry or rough patches of skin or oily T-Zone - especially when using our gentle Brighten ＆ Glow Powder as it contains clays to deeply cleanse and remove impurities from the skin.
Enzyme exfoliators, in contrast, work more uniformly across the skin's surface and may not be as effective at addressing isolated issues.
5 - Reduces Chance of Sensitisation or Rosacea Flare Ups
Enzyme or Acid Exfoliators dramatically increase the risk of skin sensitisation.
As a Skin Specialist I would suggest avoiding all together if you are prone to sensitivity.
Using a granular exfoliator over an enzyme exfoliator has several advantages for people with rosacea or sensitive skin.
- Granular exfoliators typically provide more control over the exfoliation process. This means you can adjust the pressure and frequency of exfoliation to suit your skin's sensitivity, minimising the risk of irritation and inflammation/redness.
- Granular exfoliators offer immediate tactile feedback, allowing you to feel the exfoliation process and ensuring that you do not use too much or overdo it.
- Granular exfoliators can be more suitable for people with rosacea or sensitive skin as they are less likely to contain active enzymes that may trigger redness or inflammation.
- Granular exfoliators often contain soothing and hydrating ingredients that can help calm and hydrate sensitive skin - like our Brighten ＆ Glow Powder which contains HYDRATING Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut, promoting a smooth and healthY complexion while minimising the risk of adverse reactions.
PIGMENTATION RISK INCREASE
If you are using Acids or Enzymes then I would advise using them in the Autumn and Winter and avoiding Summer.
As Acids work on a deeper cellular level it is can often result in patches of pigmentation arising.
It can result in very delicate skin being exposed, which in turn can majorly increase pigmentation.
If you do wish to use them, then my advise is to really ramp up your SPF and apply regularly plus avoid using prior and during a summer holiday and during the summer months.
To Summarise - while enzyme exfoliation can be a beneficial part of a skincare routine, there are several compelling reasons why a granular face exfoliator may be a better choice for many individuals. The immediate results, customisation options, compatibility with different skin types, targeted treatment capabilities, and control over exfoliation frequency make granular exfoliation a versatile and effective option to consider for achieving a soft, smooth radiant complexion.
