The quickest route from lackluster to luminous? Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Think of exfoliation as spring cleaning for your skin – out with the dull, in with the dewy. By sweeping away dead skin cells and boosting cell turnover, exfoliation refines tone, enhances clarity and smooths texture. It even gives your serums and moisturizers VIP access, so they can sink in and perform at their best.
The payoff? Skin that looks brighter, feels silkier and radiates that coveted lit-from-within glow.
And forget those scratchy apricot scrubs of the past. Modern exfoliation is smarter, sleeker and infinitely more effective – think sophisticated liquid formulas powered by AHAs, BHAs and enzymes. They may sound intimidating, but used correctly they’re gentler, more targeted and deliver results that old-school methods never could. Here’s everything you need to know about exfoliating your skin, the modern way.
What Is Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is simply your skin’s way of letting go. Naturally, our skin sheds dead cells every few weeks as part of its renewal cycle, replacing them with fresh, healthy ones. But sometimes that process slows down, leaving behind a buildup that makes skin look dull and uneven.Â
That’s where exfoliants come in – giving nature a gentle nudge and speeding up cell turnover to reveal brighter, smoother skin.
What Are The Benefits Of Exfoliation?
When done correctly, exfoliation is like a reset button for your complexion. By sweeping away dulling debris, it brings fresher, healthier skin to the surface. The benefits go beyond just glow:
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Clearer, brighter skin: Removes the buildup of dead cells that can make skin look lacklustre.
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Fewer clogged pores: Prevents congestion that leads to blackheads and breakouts.
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Better product absorption: Allows serums and moisturizers to sink in more effectively.
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Smoother texture: Leaves skin soft to the touch and makeup blending beautifully.
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Balanced tone: Helps reduce rough patches and surface-level unevenness.
Types Of Exfoliation
Not all exfoliation is created equal. The best approach isn’t about chasing trends – it’s about matching the right method to your skin’s needs. Broadly, there are three categories to consider:
Physical Exfoliation
This is the classic scrub-and-buff approach – think fine-grain scrubs, cleansing brushes or textured mitts. Physical exfoliants can deliver instant smoothness, but the key word is gentle. Harsh, gritty scrubs (looking at you, apricot kernels) can cause micro-tears and irritation. If you love the tactile feel of a polish, stick to formulas with ultra-fine particles and limit use to once a week or so.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical doesn’t mean scary – in fact, it’s the gold standard for modern exfoliation. Acids and enzymes work by dissolving the bonds that hold dead cells in place, revealing a brighter, fresher layer beneath.
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AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids): Glycolic and lactic acid are water-soluble and brilliant for improving tone and texture. They smooth the skin’s surface but don’t penetrate deeply into pores.
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BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids): Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it gets inside pores to dissolve buildup. It’s also anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.
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Fruit enzymes: Derived from papaya or pineapple, these are the gentlest option. They nibble away at dead cells on the surface without risking irritation – great for sensitive skin types.
Mechanical Exfoliation
Reserved for the pros, this includes in-clinic treatments like microdermabrasion, which polish the skin at a deeper level. These are typically done under expert guidance for more dramatic results.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face?
Ah, the golden question. Exfoliate too often and your skin barrier will stage a full-blown protest – redness, irritation, stinging, sensitivity. Skip it altogether and you’ll miss out on that smooth, luminous glow.
So, what’s the sweet spot? For most skin types, two to three times per week is ideal. But the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all:
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Sensitive skin: Once a week, max.
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Oily or acne-prone skin: May tolerate chemical exfoliants more often.
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Dry or combination skin: Somewhere in between, depending on how your skin feels.
The real secret? Listen to your skin. If it stings, flakes or feels raw, you’re overdoing it. Scale back immediately. Dermatologists agree: daily exfoliation isn’t necessary. Nobody really needs to exfoliate every day. For most people, one to two times a week is enough.
Tips For Safe Exfoliation
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Always patch test new exfoliating products.
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Never exfoliate broken skin (think acne lesions, open sores or sunburn).
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Don’t mix too many active ingredients (like retinol and acids) in the same routine.
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – replenish with a nourishing cream or serum afterwards.
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Pair exfoliation with sunscreen – fresh skin is more vulnerable to UV damage.
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Less is more – your skin loves consistency, not aggression.
Exfoliation For Every Skin Type
Because skin is personal, your exfoliation should be too – the secret is choosing wisely.Â
Oily Or Acne-Prone Skin
Opt for salicylic acid (BHA) – it’s oil-soluble, meaning it dives into pores to clear congestion – while mandelic acid has antibacterial properties and regulates oil.
Dry Skin
Reach for lactic acid – a gentle AHA that both exfoliates and hydrates as it works.Â
Sensitive Skin
Stick to enzyme exfoliants or ultra-fine physical scrubs, used sparingly.
Mature Skin
Glycolic acid is your friend – small molecules mean deeper penetration, which stimulates collagen, boosts cell turnover and helps soften fine lines. However, it may irritate darker skin tones if overused.
Darker skin tones
Mandelic acid, the gentlest AHA thanks to its larger molecular size, absorbs more slowly into the skin. This makes it especially well suited to darker skin tones, offering all the glow-boosting benefits with less risk of irritation or hyperpigmentation.
The Best Exfoliating Face Wash Routine
If your skincare vibe is simple but effective, an exfoliating face wash can be your everyday luxury – giving you glow without the faff. Pair it with a mask, a targeted retinol serum and a hydrating moisturizer, and you’ve got yourself a routine that ticks all the boxes.
Step 1: Exfoliating Face Wash
Start strong with a dermatologist-approved exfoliating face wash. We love SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – a powerhouse blend of glycolic, lactic, citric and malic acids (all fruit-derived) works with salicylic acid to sweep away dullness, refine texture and reveal fresh skin. Jojoba spheres add a gentle polish without irritation.
Revision Brightening Facial Wash is also brilliant: a dual-action cleanser with salicylic and glycolic acids for deep pore cleaning and smoother skin. It has vitamin C, licorice and lily extracts for brightness, plus vitamin E and white tea for antioxidant support. Best for normal, oily, combination or mature skin types.
Step 2: Purifying Clay Mask
Once or twice a week, treat your skin to a detox. Revision Pore Purifying Clay Mask uses earth clays to unclog pores and absorb excess oil, while salicylic acid and natural exfoliants refine texture. Calming extracts like cucumber, oat kernel and chamomile-derived bisabolol keep skin soothed and balanced.
Step 3: Retinol Serum
Follow cleansing with a targeted treatment. Revision Retinol Complete 0.5 pairs retinol with five antioxidants and botanical extracts, boosting cell turnover, softening lines and improving texture – all while delivering moisture.
Step 4: Moisturizer
Lock it all in with hydration. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer helps restore the skin barrier within one hour and delivers up to 48 hours of lightweight, breathable moisture. Think of it as the comforting final step in your glow routine.
Ready To Glow?
At the end of the day, exfoliation isn’t about scrubbing your skin into submission – it’s about coaxing out the radiance that’s already there. A little attention, done wisely, goes a very long way.
Explore dermatologist-curated exfoliating cleansers, masks and serums at Lighthouse – and find the perfect match for your skin’s needs. Because “exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate” isn’t just a mantra – it’s your secret to radiant, confident skin. Shop now.
