Although it’s often a step many men omit from their skincare routine, you’d be remiss not to exfoliate. Your body naturally sheds skin cells, however, regular exfoliation is one of the easiest ways to make you look and feel better. Exfoliating aids in removing those aforementioned dead skin cells which prevent clogged pores, while also clearing up your skin, removing environmental grime and impurities, and allowing your other skincare products – think serums and moisturisers – to penetrate better. Plus, regular exfoliation helps boost your skin’s natural radiance, improves skin texture, and can aid in minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And, exfoliation for men has the added benefit of unblocking facial hair follicles; preventing painful ingrown hairs as well as breakouts.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells and other debris from the skin by using a physical scrub or exfoliant, or a chemical exfoliant.
What is the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation?
Both physical and chemical exfoliants aid in sloughing off dead skin cells and other debris from the skin, which helps promote cell turnover and promote clearer, brighter skin. However, they both work in very different ways.
Chemical exfoliation uses either acids – like AHAs, BHA, or PHAs – or enzymes to loosen and dissolve dead skin cells. One of the most popular families of chemical exfoliants, AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) are water-soluble acids that work by ‘ungluing’ the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, removing the uppermost layer of the skin to reveal the smoother, radiant skin beneath. Regular AHA exfoliation is beneficial for brightening dull skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time.
Meanwhile, BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) in the form of salicylic acid is an oil-soluble acid that penetrates deep into hair follicles and pores to remove dead skin cells and dissolve excess sebum (oil) buildup within pores, preventing the formation of breakouts and blackheads.
In contrast, physical or manual exfoliation works by using small granules in the form of scrubs or polishes to buff off dead skin cells. The key to successfully using a physical exfoliant is to ensure none of the exfoliating granules are too large or jagged to avoid micro-tears in the skin. Steer clear of exfoliating scrubs with nut shells and fruit pits; instead, opt for ingredients like sugar granules, fine pumice or rice, and jojoba beads. While physical scrubs do work to provide a more thorough clean and rid the skin of impurities, excess sebum, and dead skin cells, they aren’t as effective as their chemical counterparts.
How often should men exfoliate?
Men’s skin is thicker and more resilient than that of their female counterparts, making regular exfoliation particularly important. For men, exfoliation with physical scrubs or chemical exfoliants should be done twice to three times a week. Alternatively, those looking for a more gentle option can opt for a leave-on daily chemical exfoliant that can be used in tandem with your serums and moisturiser.
The best physical and chemical exfoliants for men
Whether you’re in the market for a chemical exfoliant or a gritty physical scrub is more your style, these are the best exfoliants for men.
1. The One & Done: Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
For those who want a quick, fuss-free solution to good skin, the Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel is the way to go. The alien goop-like purple peel is designed for weekly use, combining both AHAs and BHA in a potent treatment that works to address uneven skin texture, wrinkles, and fine lines in just 10 minutes.
2. For Sensitive Skin: Grown Alchemist Enzyme Exfoliant
Technically neither a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant, the Grown Alchemist Enzyme Exfoliant is in a category of its own, using papaya enzymes to break down the keratin in the skin and dissolve dead skin cells. A key benefit to using enzyme exfoliants is that they exclusively work on dead skin cells, reducing the risk of over-exfoliation and making them suitable for sensitive skin types.
3. For The Hirsute Gentleman: The Groomed Man Co. Face Magnet Scrub
A gritty, textured physical exfoliant The Groomed Man Co. Face Magnet Scrub uses kaolin clay, pumice, activated charcoal, and iron-rich magnetite to get in between beard hairs to remove impurities and thoroughly exfoliate the skin without causing microtears. The kaolin works to absorb excess sebum, making it ideal for those with combination or oily skin. Naturally, it also works well on clean-shaven guys too.
4. The Multitasker: ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser
It’s rare to find a 2-in-1 product we actually like, but the ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser fits the bill. Doubling as a cleanser and physical exfoliant, the rich, creamy formula uses zinc and soapwort extracts to deeply cleanse pores and remove dead skin cells. It has a pretty impressive lather, so a little goes a long way. Ideal for use post-shave.
5. The Sleeping Beauty: Medik8 Sleep Glycolic
For the guy looking to sleep his way to (skin!) success, look no further than Medik8 Sleep Glycolic. A powerful overnight peel, this hardworking cosmeceutical product uses glycolic acid, the most potent AHA, to clarify, brighten, and resurface skin overnight. A twice-weekly leave-on treatment, Medik8 Sleep Glycolic visibly brightens and decongests skin with just one use, while smoothening the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time.
6. The Daily Breakout Banisher: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
For those with acne-prone skin, it’s best to eschew physical scrubs in favour of chemical exfoliants. A different style of exfoliant to the rest on this list, the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is designed for daily use and works in tandem with your other skincare products. For best results, apply to clean, freshly toned skin and follow with your serum, moisturiser, and SPF (during the day).
7. For The Lazy Guy: Medik8 Blemish Control Pads
Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, the Medik8 Blemish Control Pads are for guys who want the benefits of chemical exfoliation without having to deal with the effort of a classic scrub or peel. Pre-soaked with salicylic acid, the Medik8 Blemish Control Pads work to control sebum production and reduce the incidence of breakouts, while the addition of glycerin and allantoin work to hydrate and soothe the skin. Gentle yet effective, these exfoliating pads can be used daily.
Words by John Deckard
Feature image courtesy of Ryan McGinley for Document Journal
