Are Facial Scrubs Bad for Your Skin?
KIMBERLY JOHNSON
LIFE
Skin care buffs know that a good facial scrub can lift off that dull layer of skin and let your fresh-faced, natural beauty shine through. Choose the right scrub, and you will improve your skin’s look and feel. Choose the wrong scrub, and you can damage your skin every time you use it.
1 Damaging Facial Scrubs
Many facial scrubs contain abrasive materials, which is how they lift off the dead skin cells. The problem with these materials, such as almond pits, walnut shells or apricot pits, is that they have sharp edges that tear and cut the skin. Use them too often or with too much pressure, and you’re left with red, raw skin.
2 Good-for-You Facial Scrubs
Women who prefer mechanical exfoliation should opt for a scrub containing oatmeal, which has soft edges, to gently polish the skin. Chemical scrubs contain fruit acids, such as pineapple or papaya, and work in an even gentler way to remove dull skin layers.
3 Too Much of a Good Thing
No matter which of the good-for-you facial scrubs you choose, apply it no more than once every one to two weeks. According to Dr. Jeffrey Benabio, it takes this long for your skin to recover from the previous exfoliation.
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