Exfoliating is one of the most important steps in any skincare regimen, and today’s highly educated skincare user is looking for sophisticated exfoliating options to tailor a product directly to her skin’s needs.

Why Exfoliate?

Our skin naturally exfoliates dead skin cells on a daily basis, but over time, the natural shedding process slows. This is caused by a combination of aging, sun damage, pollution, and other environmental stressors, and results in dull, dry, or flaky skin; clogged, enlarged pores, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone.

Products designed to gently exfoliate the buildup of these dead skin cells help reveal fresh, healthy, hydrated skin. There are two categories for at-home exfoliation products: physical and chemical.

Physical Exfoliation

Physical exfoliants use particles to manually remove skin cells, and common physical exfoliants include coffee grounds, apricot seeds, and sugar, which we feature in our Foaming Sugar Scrub. They are highly effective and provide immediate results. They help to stimulate circulation and give skin an instant glow and rosiness. They can also be easily integrated into a skincare regimen, as they won’t negatively interact with other active ingredients and cause irritation or inflammation.

However, when overused, physical exfoliation can irritate the skin or expose raw, damaged tissue to bacteria and infection. Sensitive or sensitized skin can be made worse with physical exfoliation, as can skin with specific conditions, such as rosacea, acne, and psoriasis.

Chemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation uses low levels of acids or enzymes to dissolve the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Chemical exfoliation works more deeply than physical exfoliants, and provide longer lasting results. They are best suited for those who need to avoid irritating scrubbing, including those with acne, eczema, rosacea, dryness or sensitivity. This method continues to work after application and are effective at reducing signs of aging.

AHAs & BHAs

In at-home use chemical exfoliators, there are two primary type of featured acids: alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).

What are AHAs?

AHAs are derived from sugar cane or other plant sources, and can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and sun damage, and indirectly support collagen production.

The most popular AHA is glycolic acid, which is able to retexturize, refresh, and brighten lackluster skin while breaking down pore-clogging skin cells.¹

What are BHAs?

BHAs are a natural compound in plants, derived from the bark of the white willow and wintergreen leaves. Salicylic acid is the most popular and revered BHA, which has an enhanced ability to penetrate pores and is proven effective at treating certain types of acne. It’s antibacterial and in higher dosages, can be used to treat calluses and warts.

Chemical Peel Mask

Our Innovation Team combined these two powerful ingredient stories in one gentle product: our Chemical Peel Mask, a resurfacing treatment for dull and congested skin. This Mask features a gentle blend of AHAs (2.5%) and BHAs (0.5%), which work together to dissolve dead skin cells away and reveal healthy, hydrated skin underneath. They help to minimize the signs of visible sun damage and clear pores from oil and environmental debris. The base for this mask is an oil-based Gel Cleanser. It has a high oil and sugar content, which makes it extremely hydrating. It is suitable for all skin types and is non-comedogenic. Using a cleanser as a base for this mask also makes for easy removal. When hit with water, this mask milks and easily rinses off. This ensures that acids are not left on the skin for too long, which could be harmful and irritating. This product is cruelty free, vegan, natural & 100% free from silicones, sulfates, alcohol, and parabens. To use, cleanse skin and apply a generous layer to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Slight flushing and tingling are normal. Rinse well and follow with hydrating skincare products. This product can be used two times per week, at night. As with any AHA product, skin can become more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen and limit exposure while using this product. Want to learn more about how we combine powerful active ingredients with our clean and natural library bases? Contact our sales team.

Update: This product concept is no longer an active part of the Twincraft Skincare Product Concept Library. While we do not currently stock samples or have sell sheets available for it, it can still serve as a starting point for your brand’s future product development with us. Please contact our Sales Team to learn more about our current capabilities and featured product innovations.

Source: ¹https://www.ulprospector.com/en/na/PersonalCare/Detail/34152/750897/Glycolic-Acid