Mechanical scrub vs. enzymatic scrub
Mechanical exfoliation: An enemy of your skin
Recurrent on the cosmetics market, highly popular through social networks or even out of habit and ease of use, mechanical scrubs (otherwise called grain scrubs) are widely distributed and used.
However, this type of scrub can quickly become abrasive depending on the size of the grains, your skin type, the frequency of use or even the friction you exert which can be more or less intense.
Even if you are gentle in your movements and use a fine-grained scrub, it seems complicated to combine effective scrubbing and not stripping your skin; from the moment the action of the mechanical exfoliation is that grains will rub the surface layer of your skin.
On this subject, mechanical exfoliation involves various problems for the epidermis unlike its neighbor, enzymatic exfoliation (based on fruits, plants or yeast derivatives).
Indeed, the mechanical exfoliation will have an abrasive rubbing action in order to refine the skin texture which is increased tenfold by phenomena linked to beauty standards; between an almost total desire to have a natural photoshopped skin texture and a second desire, linked to a feeling of cleanliness of your skin... you may have already abused the rotations during an exfoliation or quite simply from their use by making it more or less daily.
Unfortunately, exposed skin is REALLY vulnerable skin! But beyond this general remark, it is important to focus on the effects that the grain scrub will give you depending on your skin type. Not recommended in all cases and even less for sensitive skin, the grain scrub will:
In case of sensitive skin: cause redness, feelings of discomfort, tightness or even micro-injuries linked to the stripping action.
For oily skin: The findings are just as bad but for the same reasons as with sensitive skin. Here, this type of scrub will be a warning signal for the sebaceous glands which will therefore reconstitute a more resistant hydrolipidic film in the face of a weakened epidermis; in other words, lubricate your skin more.
Concerning combination skin prone to acne: the action of rubbing will irritate existing skin lesions and thus make them stand out more. In this way, making them more prone to infections and thus creating a vicious circle by giving you new pimples.
Finally, whatever your skin type, be very careful because using a grain scrub does not necessarily produce side effects upon first application. It is possible that your skin ends up weakening and therefore reacting after several applications of your grain scrub.
However, exfoliating remains essential to smooth your skin texture and purify it of imperfections.
So, how to combine softness and exfoliation?
The answer lies in the enzymatic scrub ; a gentle and effective alternative to mechanical exfoliation.
Enzymatic scrub: An ally for your skin
What is enzymatic scrub?
When we talk to you about “best friend forever”, it’s also a story that is written in your bathroom. An essential ally for oily, sensitive and irritated skin, the enzymatic scrub is suitable for all skin types and ensures deep and gentle cleansing!
Before turning to its benefits, it is appropriate to know what an enzymatic scrub consists of: it is a scrub which exerts a chemical action (unlike grain scrub which is carried out by mechanical action) on the skin, by getting rid of residues such as dead cells and pollution, without the abrasive effect of mechanical exfoliation.
The 4 “good deeds” of enzymatic exfoliation
- The balance of the skin is respected because this type of scrub only acts on dead cells and impurities and not on the rest
- A gentle scrub suitable for sensitive, reactive or irritated skin because the absence of abrasive friction prevents the skin from being damaged
- Oxygenated, clear skin thanks to tightened pores and slowed skin aging
- No or few side effects such as tightness and micro-injuries, compared to mechanical exfoliation