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Fine lines. Wrinkles. Age spots. Blackheads. Dry skin.
Can the best face exfoliators and scrubs for mature skin fix all those problems?
Yes, they can.
Exfoliating is good for aging skin.
It improves the tone and texture of the complexion.
But it’s important to take care of your face the right way.
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If your skin is oily, you can exfoliate two or three times per week.
On the other hand, exfoliate only once a week if you have dry or sensitive skin (1).
Or you might do it more often, depending on the product you use.
Some exfoliating cleansers or manual tools (like a Konjac sponge) are gentle enough to use daily.
There is no one-size-fits-all exfoliator for everyone.
You’ll have to take your individual needs and goals into account as you shop.
In general, aging skin is more delicate and drier.
To prevent damaging your face, switch to mild products, and exfoliate less frequently.
Skip the scrubs unless they have microfine particles. Then, apply very gentle pressure with a circular motion.
This is a process, not a one-time event.
Rinse well with lukewarm water, then pat dry.
Never scour your skin until it’s red. You’ll just open yourself up to infection and discoloration.
If you’re in a hurry, it’s better to visit a dermatologist for laser treatments.
Next, a gentler choice may be a chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid. Lactic acid is even milder.
These acids remove dead skin without causing dryness. They are popular for peels but also come in cleansers and serums.
Alternatively, try retinol.
It speeds up cellular turnover, which makes it excellent for erasing wrinkles.
Most importantly, don’t mix acids and retinol. Follow one treatment or the other.
All three make the skin more sensitive to sunburn, too. Please wear sunscreen to protect yourself.
Now, let’s start with facial scrubs for mature skin.
Farther down, we’ll review chemical exfoliators.
Those walnut shell scrubs you used when you were younger are probably too harsh now.
Take it easy on your face to enjoy softer, firmer, more radiant skin.
I can’t say enough good stuff about Konjac sponges.
If you haven’t tried one yet, get one immediately. It’s worth every penny.
You might not be impressed at first as the sponge feels as hard as pumice.
But soak it in water for a few seconds, and it softens.
Moreover, it lasts for weeks, up to three months, if you take care of it. This means rinsing it thoroughly and letting it dry between uses.
These sponges are made from the root of the Konjac plant. It’s sometimes described as a type of potato.
In the case of this particular sponge, it’s blended with French red clay to tone and soothe the skin.
This is a tool that’s mild enough for faces with rosacea or eczema.
Use it with plain water or massage your skin with your favorite cleanser.
The DRMTLGY scrub features glycolic acid and botanical extracts.
The acid, lemon, apple, and green tea and fade scars.
The texture is not abrasive. Rather, it’s like a rich cream.
Use it as a scrub and rub it into problem areas like your T-zone.
Let it work for a few minutes before you rinse.
As a bonus, the product is free of parabens and harsh chemicals. It comes with a sixty-day money-back guarantee.
I’d say that the best drugstore exfoliator for mature skin is the motorized cleansing brush.
Olay’s brush offers two speeds, and it’s safe to use in the shower.
The bristles on the head are softer than you’d expect to avoid tearing the skin.
Just don’t use it near your eyes.
For best results, use it for sixty seconds each day. It runs on AA batteries.
If you have a Clarisonic brush, try this replacement brush head. It works on all models.
The bristles are ultra-soft like feathers. That makes it gentle enough for extra-sensitive skin.
Perhaps the best face scrub for oily skin is made by a popular K-beauty company.
Dr. Brandt’s creamy exfoliant has anti-aging properties.
It has grapefruit seed extract, jojoba oil, squalane, clover honey, algae, and hibiscus, among other nourishing ingredients.
They work together to moisturize the skin while they fade blemishes and fine lines.
La Roche-Posay protects sensitive skin by leaving out the soap, alcohol, and parabens.
Their scrub’s formula is also pH-balanced.
The texture comes from ultra-fine pumice suspended in a moisturizing base.
Cetaphil’s scrub is gentle enough to use every day in most cases.
It has micro-fine granules, not little plastic beads.
If you have sensitive skin that looks dull and dry, this is a safe bet for you.
It’s non-comedogenic and moisturizing. But you’ll still want to apply face lotion afterward.
Why is it that so many products for mature skin cost more than those for younger complexions?
I don’t have the answer to that.
Nevertheless, some things are worth it, including this cleanser.
It’s designed to rejuvenate aging skin.
Instead of scrubbing, simply wash your face with this each morning and night.
The formula has glycolic acid, vitamin C, and micro-pearls (volcanic particles) to remove impurities and brighten your tone.
You don’t have to wait for autumn to enjoy this pumpkin mask.
Spread on a thin layer, then wait up to seven minutes while the enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids work.
Rinse, and you’re done.
Why pumpkin for your skin?
It’s packed with Vitamin C and A plus alpha hydroxy acids. As a result, it’s a natural way to revitalize your complexion.
Chemical exfoliators don’t require any scouring or rubbing on your part.
They dissolve the bonds between cells to release the dead skin.
I’ll point out the other benefits as we go along.
You’re going to hear a lot about glycolic acid as we go forward. Let’s discuss what it is and what it can do for you.
It’s an alpha hydroxy acid usually derived from sugarcane. Most people tolerate it very well.
Those with darker skin tone need to be aware that it could cause discoloration.
Glycolic acid reduces hyperpigmentation, acne scars, wrinkles, and keratosis. (2)
Moreover, it suppresses the formation of new pigment.
The Nip+Fab pads have a very mild concentration of glycolic acid – only 2.8%. That’s ideal if you’ve never used it before.
Also, they contain hyaluronic acid to hydrate and witch hazel to tone the skin.
Here is a no-rinse chemical peel that detoxifies the skin.
It improves the texture, too.
Grab a towelette and wipe it over your face and neck. Then, wait three minutes before you moisturize.
The formula includes 10% glycolic acid plus Vitamin C.
Ebanel’s peeling gel is a mask that exfoliates.
It leaves the skin silky smooth and dewy fresh.
The secret to its success is a blend of aloe, peptides, tomato extract, and edelweiss.
The tomato has both vitamin C and E to brighten the complexion.
Meanwhile, the peptides relax the facial muscles to minimize lines and wrinkles.
Finally, edelweiss reverses damage caused by the sun and pollution while it moisturizes.
To exfoliate very sensitive skin, try lactic acid.
Yes, this is the same stuff that makes your muscles sore when you exercise.
When applied to the skin, it doesn’t just remove dead cells. It also promotes the production of collagen and elastin to make the skin firmer (3).
This particular product is pure and simple – it’s only distilled water and lactic acid.
Since it’s made for professional use, I’d recommend getting advice on how to get the most out of it.
If you’re not comfortable buying straight lactic acid, try this product instead.
The acid is combined with licorice and other exotic extracts.
Licorice has proven to be very effective against discoloration.
Also, ingredients like lemongrass and prickly pear make the skin more luminous.
Pump out a little bit of the liquid and massage it into your face. It’s a leave-on treatment.
Just wait about fifteen minutes before you apply any other products like moisturizer or makeup.
Take advantage of your skin’s natural regeneration cycle while you rest.
Wear this mask to bed and let it plump and revive your complexion.
No worries, it’s free of parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, drying alcohols, and artificial dyes.
Pat it on and relax. Then wash in the morning.
Otherwise, apply a thick layer and rinse after ten minutes.
The active ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, and fresh watermelon.
Have you heard of the Raya Spa in Los Angeles?
This pumpkin mask is one of their products. Apply it to clean skin except right around the eyes.
Wait ten minutes, then rinse.
It’s rich in amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes that resurface mature skin.
Instead of doing a peel, try this glycolic acid cleanser.
It’s based on natural ingredients like sugarcane, lemon, apple, chamomile, and willow bark. As a result, it has both glycolic and lactic acids.
Washing with it daily can clear up dry patches and blackheads alike.
Happily, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances.
If you’re dealing with perimenopausal acne, you need this face wash.
It removes makeup and excess oil while it fights blemishes and clarifies the skin.
It’s non-drying and non-comedogenic.
Furthermore, it has antioxidants to fade hyperpigmentation and those dark bags under your eyes.
Some serums, like this one, are good for exfoliating and correcting hyperpigmentation.
This one is best to put on at night before bed after you wash and before you moisturize.
It’s fragrance-free and doesn’t have parabens or dyes, either.
Even though you wear it at night, it’s smart to put on sunscreen the next day.
Besides cleansers, peels, and serums, you can enjoy a glycolic acid moisturizer.
This one is a cold cream that calms irritated skin.
It has a mixture of glycolic acid, vitamin A, and papaya extract.
It hydrates rough skin without causing redness. It’s excellent if you’re tired of flaking.
If you have acne blemishes, you might want to wait to use it as it will sting.
Retinol is one of the best at-home treatments for wrinkles. It’s clinically proven to make a noticeable difference.
Not only does it firm the skin, but it also fixes scarring and discoloration (4).
LaRoche Posay’s retinol serum is mild enough to use around the eyes but potent enough to minimize crow’s feet.
It’s not greasy and won’t leave a residue. In fact, you can wear it underneath makeup.
What’s more, the serum is free of parabens, although it does have an artificial fragrance.
LilyAna Naturals has discovered a way to allow you to try retinol even if you have sensitive skin.
Unfortunately, retinol can be rather drying.
But this formula is augmented with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, Vitamin E, and green tea.
It’s creamy and rich and soothing, but never greasy.
Use it to get rid of bags under your eyes, milia, and crepey skin. It also helps with blackheads.
Related Reading: Best Lotions for Crepey Skin on Arms and Legs
To maintain a healthy complexion, you need to exfoliate.
Choose a mild but effective exfoliator for mature skin. You’ll be astonished at how much younger you’ll look.
If you discovered a new product today that you love using, tell us about it in the comments below.
Sources:
1. https://blog.aarp.org/healthy-living/help-for-aging-skin-3-things-youre-doing-wrong by Candy Sagon, published October 30, 2013, accessed February 12, 2020
2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Glycolic-acid accessed February 12, 2020
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962296906027, Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid, by Walter PSmithPhD1, published September 1996, accessed February 12, 2020
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10980-understanding-the-ingredients-in-skin-care-products published October 10, 2019, accessed February 12, 2020
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Hello! An interesting list, a lot of really good and effective products. I can say one thing, if you want to use chemical exfoliators, be sure to consult a cosmetologist or dermatologist. Not knowing exactly what type of skin you have should not apply this, you may get unexpected results. It is better to use such funds for the face after consulting a specialist. Have a nice day!