For many people, the terminology in the beauty industry can be very confusing. And we understand that! At Food for Skin, we also like clarity ☺ In the blog below you can read more about what the official definitions are, what the most important differences are and how to choose the right product for your skin condition (at Food for Skin we prefer to talk about skin condition rather than skin type, because your skin condition can change throughout the year).
What is a scrub and what is scrubbing anyway?
A scrub is a skin care product that contains fine grains or particles. These grains work mechanically by rubbing away dead skin cells while massaging the skin. The result is softer, smoother skin that is better able to absorb caring ingredients.
Scrubbing stimulates blood circulation and promotes cell renewal.
Please note: when scrubbing you sometimes also damage the skin barrier, the protective layer of the skin, which makes you extra sensitive to UV radiation and therefore burning. Therefore, do not scrub too often and do this before going to bed and preferably when the UV power is super low, because your skin really needs to recover.
In the past, plastic granules were used as scrubs, fortunately that is no longer allowed. If you choose a scrub, make sure the shape of the granule is nice and round, so that the granules roll over the skin instead of scraping.
Food for Skin does not have a scrub, because we know from experience that not everyone pays attention to the risks. We do not want to take risks with the skin, so we have decided not to include this in our range, but to go for the alternative, the Peeling.
What is a peeling and how do you use it on your face?
A peeling for the face can be synthetic, natural, but also mechanical. A mechanical peeling has that grain. However, in general, it is called a peeling if there is no grain on it (mechanical peeling), but active ingredients are used that weaken the connection between skin cells, making them easier to reject.
A synthetic (artificial) peeling uses active ingredients such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). Many clinics and salons now offer deep synthetic peels. With these peels, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the pros and cons. They can work so deeply into the skin that your entire skin barrier is removed to stimulate cell renewal. At Food for Skin, we believe this is interfering too deeply with the natural way in which the skin can maintain itself fantastically. With such an intervention, you are temporarily very susceptible to sunlight and free radicals from outside, which could cause other problems. Your skin really needs that skin barrier, so if that deep peeling is not really necessary, we would not recommend it.
With a natural peeling, these active AHAs and BHAs are also used, but then from natural fruit acids, such as from apples. These are generally much milder peelings and therefore 'nicer' for your skin. The Apple Peeling also contains enzymes that dissolve the dead skin cells, as it were, and make them easy to remove. Therefore, remove the Peeling after 10 minutes with a soft cloth with lukewarm water and remove the Peeling with soft circular movements. Do not scrub hard!
This results in a more even, radiant complexion without the rough scrubbing action of a scrub. However, the warning also applies here that after use your skin is more sensitive to sunlight. This is because normally the dead skin cells also offer protection against the sun. If you remove these, your natural protective layer is also gone. Therefore, always apply a good amount of factor 30 in the days after using the Peeling, even if you are 'only' going on a bike ride for 10 minutes!
What is an exfoliant or exfoliator?
An exfoliant is an umbrella term for all methods and products that remove dead skin cells. This can be done both mechanically (physical) - i.e. grains, as well as synthetically or naturally. Exfoliants help to renew the skin, reduce clogged pores and improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin.
What are the differences between a peeling, scrub and exfoliant?
There are many similarities and a few differences. All products are designed to remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling soft, fresh and clean.
The fundamental difference between peeling and scrub and exfoliant is in the way they work:
-
A scrub uses physical, often coarse particles to mechanically remove dead skin cells.
-
A peeling uses active substances that weaken the bond between skin cells. This often makes the peeling gentler on the skin and can produce a more even exfoliation.
-
An exfoliant is the umbrella term or collective term for both scrub and
Choosing between a peeling or scrub depends on the needs of your skin, the desired intensity and your personal preference.
How do you choose the right method for your skin type/skin condition?
For healthy skin it is important to choose a method that suits your specific skin type and condition:
-
Sensitive skin: Choose a gentle peel or a mild exfoliator that works without too much abrasion.
-
Normal to dry skin: A gentle scrub can help remove dead skin cells without irritating the skin.
-
Oily or combination skin: Consider an exfoliant that combines both mechanical and dissolving actions so you can effectively cleanse your pores without excessive irritation.
Remember that over-exfoliating can damage your skin. Use a mild exfoliant and really only once a week at the most. Always listen to your skin's signals. Does it feel red? Irritated? Is it getting too dry? Then this is not the product for you!
Then consult a skincare expert. Here you can find a list of Food for Skin skin specialists.
If you are now thinking: I am looking for a nice mild and natural peeling, then we recommend the Food for Skin Apple Peeling in combination with a washable washcloth . Always protect your skin afterwards for a few extra days with an SPF, for example our Kakaduplum SPF30.
