When it comes to exfoliators, striking the right balance is key:
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The pleasingly gritty formula of a manual exfoliant often utilizes such ingredients as biodegradable jojoba beads, finely milled rice bran, or other crushed plant matter—plastic microbeads being an obvious no-no of the past. Meanwhile, the key means of chemical exfoliation can be broken down into beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids .
Not only does regular maintenance offer long-term perks, but the results also tend to be immediate. If there’s no improvement—or it’s accompanied by stinging and redness—it could be a matter of overdoing it. “The biggest mistake with exfoliation is doing it too often,” says Mims, who notes that dryness and irritation are two telltale signs. When in doubt, skip it.