I’ll be honest, I feel like the concept of exfoliating as a skincare step has taken some beating in recent years. Once upon a time, exfoliating (the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin) was considered an essential part of every at-home skin routine. Once or twice a week, we were encouraged by experts to use either a scrub or an acid treatment to help unclog pores, remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter, clearer skin.
But then scrubs got cancelled. Experts and brands told us that we were destroying our skin barriers and causing our complexions major upset as a result. As a result, the industry moved us onto non-abrasive, acid exfoliators. But now, it seems as though they too can cause issues, and so the concept of using an at-home exfoliant has slowly faded out. Instead, we’re encouraged to champion hydration and nourishment wherever we can and protect our skin barriers at all costs.
But the truth is, as with most things in life, the real sweet spot for our skin sits somewhere in the middle. Yes, we need to be protecting our skin barriers, but exfoliation is also key in keeping skin glowy and free from congestion. As someone with oily, congested skin, this is something I had to figure out the hard way.
You see, I’ve grappled with blackheads my whole life. I genuinely can’t remember a time when my nose wasn’t covered in those pesky, pin-prick dots. Over the past couple of years, with beauty messaging telling me that I should prioritise the health of my skin barrier, I had become somewhat scared of exfoliation. As a result, my blackheads got a whole lot worse.
I have since realised that exfoliation does have its place. It’s about taking things easy, choosing the right products and listening to your skin so that you know when to stop. Since picking up exfoliating treatments once or twice a week and concentrating on areas that need them most, I have noticed a significant improvement in both blackheads and skin radiance. If you too are struggling to navigate the complex world of exfoliating, keep scrolling to shop the 16 best facial exfoliators for every skin need.