New terms pop up in the skincare industry all the time. Some come and go, but others stick around for the long haul. Micro ingredients and volcanic ash are among two that are worth keeping your eye on and adding to your skincare must-haves.
What are micro-ingredients, and where do you find them?
The name seems to explain it all, “micro” and “ingredients”—they’re tiny ingredients. By tiny, we mean microscopic. Micro ingredients have some distinct advantages. They’re easier to evenly distribute in the skincare product. For some ingredients, their small size also helps them absorb into the skin. Sometimes the micro-size lets the ingredient do tough work without damaging the skin.
This type of ingredient is important to the health of your skin, particularly when it comes to physical exfoliants. There are two types of exfoliants—physical and chemical. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference. Some people like the tactile experience of a physical exfoliant, while others prefer a chemical exfoliant, like Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Serum, for its application ease. Both types can be effective for removing dead skin cells.
Many physical exfoliants contain large, rough particles from sugar, ground shells, or nuts. The large granules can leave tiny tears on the skin’s surface. Tears cause irritation, redness, and/or breakouts. Your skin may be tough and durable, but it’s also easy to damage with harsh products and too much physical force.
Volcanic ash in your next physical exfoliant
While we love chemical exfoliants, we realize they’re not for everyone. Your skin may be sensitive to chemical exfoliators, or you may miss the tactile sensation of exfoliating your skin. If that’s the case, a physical exfoliant with micro-ingredients can give you the same results without doing more harm than good.
SkinResourceMD’s Crystal Clarity Exfoliation Scrub is a physical exfoliant that’s designed to be gentle and nourishing. It was specifically designed to avoid the harsh side effects of typically physical exfoliants. This formula contains volcanic microcrystals in the form of pumice to gently and safely polish the skin.
A gentle polishing action with this formula loosens dead skin cells, while its cream base filled with Aloe Vera, sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil, and chamomile soothe and moisturize the fresh skin underneath. It also prepares the skin for the next step in your skincare routine.
How to use physical exfoliants in your skincare routine
A skincare routine can (and should) be highly personalized. Use the basics—a cleanser and moisturizer—as the foundation and build from there.
Cleansers, like all of your skincare products, should be gentle. Yes, you want to clean your face, but you don’t want to strip it of its natural hydration. A gentle formula like Total Facial Cleansing Gel is soap-free so it doesn’t irritate the skin but cleanses while leaving behind the right amount of natural oils.
If you’re adding a physical exfoliant to your skincare routine, it’s best to use it right after cleansing. The cleanser has already removed dirt and oil, but dead skin cells can be clingy. Not only can they leave the skin dull and lifeless, but they can also prevent other skin products from absorbing into the skin.
Grab your exfoliant. With your face slightly moistened, gently rub a dime size amount on your face, avoiding the eye area. You can use your fingers or a clean cloth, but be gentle. You can also exfoliate other areas of the body, like the knees and elbows or anywhere that looks dull.
After you’ve exfoliated, you can apply additional skin treatments like a pigmentation correction cream or antioxidant boost. With oil and dirt removed by your cleanser and dead skin gone thanks to an exfoliant, these products can now sink deeply into the skin.
When you’re done exfoliating, moisturize your skin. Moisturizers keep the skin flexible and strong. They also help the skin repair itself from daily wear and tear. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen, too. UV rays are the number one cause of skin damage and the visible signs of aging.
Gentle ingredients for brighter skin
It’s all about the ingredients when it comes to your skincare. A gentle facial scrub with premium ingredients, like Crystal Clarity Exfoliation Scrub, removes the bad and leaves and (reveals) the good. That means bright, fresh skin to welcome your day.
