Peeling and exfoliation: what are the differences?

For a luminous complexion and soft, healthy skin, there's nothing like a scrub or peel. What's the point ? What are the differences between peeling and exfoliation? How to make a choice ? L’Atelier du Sourcil tells you everything!

Peeling and exfoliation: why use an exfoliant?

Do you dream of beautiful, healthy skin? So you have to take care of it and pamper it!

Pollution, hard water, daily use of creams and beauty products or even sebum are some of the elements that damage your skin. Pores become clogged and unsightly pimples and blackheads appear. The complexion becomes duller and the skin on your face becomes rougher. Nobody wants that, do they? So, to regain a radiant complexion and soft skin, we rely on exfoliation.

Through mechanical or chemical action, exfoliation removes dead skin cells and promotes cell regeneration. It restores your skin's beauty, elasticity and fresher complexion.

What is exfoliation?

Exfoliation is one of the most well-known skin treatments. It aims to eliminate dead skin and cells.
The principle is simple: a suitable product (gel or cream) containing beads or grains, of synthetic or natural origin, is applied to the face. You must then massage the skin using circular movements, more or less forceful depending on the area, in order to eliminate dead skin and unclog pores. Exfoliation thus stimulates microcirculation and cell regeneration. Regular exfoliation gives you smoother, softer and radiant skin! Cleansing and purifying, our gentle exfoliating emulsion frees your skin from impurities and restores its radiance!

What is peeling?

Peeling is an exfoliation technique that is a little less known than exfoliation. Unlike the latter, it is not a mechanical exfoliant but a chemical one. Indeed, peeling consists of eliminating the superficial layer of the epidermis, to reveal “new” skin, without marks or stains, and thus treat wrinkles and scars.
The peel can be superficial, medium or deep. If a soft/superficial peel can be carried out yourself, at home using our soft peeling treatment for example, you will necessarily need to contact a specialist for a more in-depth treatment. In all cases, it involves applying to the skin a product composed, in particular, of fruit acids or synthetic acids (AHA or BHA) or, for deep peels, phenol. These abrasive products destroy the surface layer of the epidermis (application can cause some tingling) and thus allow the skin to regenerate. The effects are visible more quickly than with a scrub but the peeling is more restrictive and uncomfortable.

How to choose between peeling and exfoliation?

You will have understood, peeling and exfoliation are not at all the same thing!

It is therefore important to choose the solution best suited to your skin... Because yes, an unsuitable product could cause irritation, skin reactions and other inconveniences!

It is therefore important to take your skin type into consideration.

Sensitive skin , already weakened, may have difficulty withstanding scrubs. Indeed, the latter can be a little too irritating for this skin type. We therefore prefer fine-grained scrubs and enzymatic scrubs.

Oily skin, for its part, will particularly appreciate grain scrubs. These can be used on combination and normal skin.

Finally, for normal and dry skin, peeling is preferred. It is also completely suitable for wrinkled, mature or blemished skin and will help to reduce spots and fine lines.

Are you considering a peel? It is essential to consult a doctor beforehand in order to choose the solution and dosage best suited to your skin.

How often ?

The scrub

Here again, the frequency depends on the skin type and the scrub chosen will be of great importance. We prefer two scrubs per week for oily and acne-prone skin, one scrub per week for normal skin, and only one every two weeks for dry and sensitive skin.

The peel

Superficial peeling, which you can do yourself, should not be done too regularly. Ideally, you should carry out 3 to 4 sessions spaced 2 to 3 weeks apart and only once a year. Medium and deep peels are carried out under medical supervision. More abrasive, the sessions must be spaced out in accordance with medical recommendations and the skin must be cared for and preserved for a few days, until the cells regenerate completely.

Be careful, however, if you have used semi-permanent makeup . To preserve and protect it, it is better to avoid excessive cell renewal. So, don't peel where the skin is pigmented!