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Chemical exfoliation is a process that renews the skin. Our skin is constantly producing new cells and shedding old ones. However, sometimes this process is not smooth and dead skin cells remain on the surface of the skin, leaving it dull and rough. This dead skin must be gently dissolved and removed to leave the skin smooth and moisturized. By removing dead skin cells, the skin's texture is refined and the skin can absorb cosmetics better, maximizing the effectiveness of skincare. It also removes dirt and dead skin cells from the pores, keeping pores clean and preventing breakouts.

1. What Are Chemical Exfoliation Products?

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Exfoliation is an essential part of skin care. This is because dead skin cells can make your skin look dull, impede the absorption of cosmetics, and cause breakouts. There are a variety of methods used to remove dead skin cells. They can be broadly categorized into chemical and physical methods.

A) Chemical exfoliation: This method contains acids that gently dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, improving dull skin tone and improving the absorption of cosmetics. Ingridients such as polyhydroxy acids gently dissolve dead skin cells on the skin's surface, it can also be applied evenly to a large area, but it can cause irritation in sensitive skin and requires careful sun protection as it is vulnerable to UV rays.

B) Physical exfoliation: This is a method that directly removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin using scrub grains, and you can feel smoother skin immediately after you apply it on your skin. Physical exfoliation is less harsh on chemicals, but the excessive friction can irritate the skin and enlarge pores, which is not good for sensitive skin.

2. Types of Chemical Exfoliation Products

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Chemical exfoliators are products that contain various acids, including AHA and BHA acid, to gently dissolve the skin's dead skin layer. It is important to choose the right exfoliator according to your skin type and concerns. The wrong product or excessive use can irritate your skin and cause skin damage, so it is important to choose the right product for your skin condition and read the instructions carefully. Let's take a look at some of the most common types of chemical exfoliants.

 1) AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) are acids that are derived from a variety of natural sources, including sugar cane, milk, and fruit. They are widely used in many skincare products because they help to gently dissolve dead skin cells on the skin, leaving it smoother and brighter. Two common AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Glycolic acid's small molecular size allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin, making it effective at smoothing fine lines and increasing skin elasticity. Lactic acid, on the other hand, has a larger molecular size and can be used on sensitive skin without causing irritation, while softening and moisturizing the skin's surface to help maintain a healthy skin.

2) BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) has fat-soluble properties, which makes it an excellent ingredient for penetrating deep into pores and effectively treating blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes. It dissolves dirt and dead skin cells in pores to cleanse the skin, soothes redness through anti-inflammatory properties, and smooths the skin's texture. It is particularly effective in addressing the concerns of oily skin and is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its safety and effectiveness in treating acne. BHA products in concentrations of 0.5% to 2% are available without a prescription.

3) PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid)

Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are the next generation of exfoliating ingredients, primarily containing ingredients such as gluconolactone, maltobionic acid, and lactobionic acid. Compared to AHA and BHA acid, it has a larger molecular size and is less irritating to the skin, so it can be used safely even for a sensitive skin. It is good for exfoliating dead skin cells and improving skin texture, and helps maintain healthy skin by preventing pore clogging and promoting the regeneration of damaged epidermal cells. In particular, gluconolactone dissolves wastes in the stratum corneum, making the skin smooth and supple.

3. How to Use Chemical Exfoliation Products

If you have sensitive skin, you should look for a toner with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to soothe and hydrate your skin. If you have oily skin, you can benefit from both AHA and BHA acid. Use a toner or serum with beta hydroxy acids to clean out impurities from your pores, followed by a facial pad with alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate and refine your skin's texture.

Sun protection and hydration are common needs for all skin types, so be sure to wear sunscreen when you're out and about, and slather on a moisturizer when your skin fells dry. But every skin type is different, so the above tips may not be enough to get the job done. This is because different skin conditions require different products and different ways to use them.

4. Key Benefits of Chemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation with AHA and BHA acid can improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, and even acne with a single exfoliation for healthier, and more beautiful skin.

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1) Improves Skin Texture and Tone

Dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin cover the skin like a cloudy film, preventing it from reflecting light and making the skin texture rough, making the skin look dull and puffy. Removing dead skin cells allows the skin to breathe, brightening and clarifying the skin tone. Removing dead skin cells also smooths the surface of the skin and smooths out bumpy skin texture. Every skin looks better when makeup and skin care product is applied accordingly.

2) Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Acne

Dead skin cells are one of the main causes of fine lines and acne. Chemical exfoliation stimulates skin regeneration and increases skin elasticity by activating collagen and elastin production to reduce fine lines. In addition, dead skin cells clog pores and prevent sebum from draining, leading to acne, whereas exfoliation keeps pores clean and is effective in preventing acne.

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In addition to excessive chemical exfoliation, using the wrong product for your skin can cause skin irritation, so it's important to check the ingredients for your skin condition and start slowly. For a safer and more effective way to exfoliate, try Haebom, the center of K-beauty, for a consultation and customized treatment. Experienced professionals will accurately diagnose your skin condition and suggest the most suitable exfoliation method for you. If you've always wanted to have beautiful skin but haven't found it easy, Seoul's center of K-beauty is the perfect place to get the right consultation to address your skin concerns. From booking to interpreting, Haebom's convenient services will help you get the treatment you want without any communication difficulties as a foreign visitor.

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