Is it more effective to exfoliate on dry or damp skin?

Peeling is a type of treatment that uses chemical agents to remove dead skin cells by causing them to peel off. This process also promotes cellular renewal. There are three types of peeling:

• The superficial peel for all skin types;

• The medium peel for acne-prone or hyperpigmented skin;

• Deep peeling to combat skin ageing.

It is generally recommended to apply a peeling treatment on dry skin to enhance its effectiveness.

In dermatology, theexfoliation encompasses techniques that allow the removal of dead cells present on the skin's surface, thus promoting cellular renewal. Two methods are distinguished: mechanical exfoliation, also known as scrubbing, and chemical exfoliation, also known as peeling. These two approaches differ in their way of eliminating dead cells from the skin's surface.

• Themechanical exfoliation :

  
  This type of exfoliation involves the use of granular exfoliating products, commonly known as scrubs. These products lift dead cells from the upper layer of the epidermis through a mechanical action, such as rubbing or circular movements. Micro-grains, such as powders derived from fruit kernels, are often preferred for gently exfoliating the face and chest. Conversely, larger grains are used to exfoliate parts of the body where the skin is thicker and less sensitive, like the feet or legs. It is recommended to perform this type of exfoliation a maximum of once or twice a week.

  Scrubs containing fine grains are suitable for all skin types. However, it is advised against using large and abrasive grains on damaged skin, such as dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin.

• Chemical Exfoliation:

  
  Unlike mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation does not require scrubbing. It relies on active ingredients that work on the skin to remove dead cells and impurities, thus preventing the pores from becoming clogged. Formulated with enzymes or fruit acids, the chemical or enzymatic exfoliant is both gentle and effective, providing optimal exfoliation.

  This process utilises active ingredients such as AHA and BHA, which have diverse origins. The AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, act like proteases by breaking the bonds composed of glycoproteins that connect dead cells to the stratum corneum. The BHAs, also known as beta-hydroxy acids, differ from AHAs in their keratolytic properties. They are capable of detaching and eliminating dead cells present on the surface of the epidermis. These acids can be of plant origin, derived from fruits such as pineapple, figs or apricots, or extracted from yeasts.