Exfoliate recommendations

[aimes10]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good exfoliate. I have sensitive skin.

i recently purchased the Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator 2.6 oz / 74 g  , but finding it’s making my skin super red/burn tingly feeling after using and it looks like it’s starting to break me out .

[WinglessOne]

@aimes10  Sounds like something in that product's irritating the heck out of your skin. I see several things in the ingredients list (orange peel extract, bergamot oil, rosewood oil, eucalyptus oil, cedar oil) that would tick my skin off, but my skin sensitivities may differ from yours. You're doing the right thing by looking for a replacement and (hopefully) not using it anymore. Before jumping to a new exfoliating product, give your skin 1-4 weeks to heal: roll your skincare routine back to basics (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, & sunscreen) and use a skin soothing product as needed; heck, a simple cold compress can do wonders. 

Couple questions for you to help me recommend other products: 

1. Is your skin typically dry, oily, combo, or balanced (not too dry or oily anywhere)? 
2. Why do you want an exfoliant? Are you trying to reduce skin texture, or do you want an exfoliant that helps reduce acne by unclogging your pores? 

I have mostly-dry combo skin that's fairly sensitive and quite reactive/inflammation-prone. 1-3 times a week, I use either an AHA, BHA, or PHA exfoliant and they're all leave-on products. AHA and PHA are more for skin texture and reducing hyperpigmentation; BHA's for keeping my pores clear. PHA is a good option for sensitive skin as it's quite gentle. The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Gentle Exfoliating Toner 3.4 oz/ 100 mL  is a nice product. Other gentle leave-on products are  The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA 1 oz/ 30 mL  and The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 1 oz/ 30 mL  . Don't use any PHA or AHA (like lactic and mandelic acids) exfoliant more than 3 times a week, otherwise you risk over-exfoliating your skin—which might actually be what you've done with the Dermalogica product. 

[aimes10]

@WinglessOne  That's what I am thinking, my skin doesn't like something in the product.!

I kind of have a sensitive combo skin type.. I'm a bit oily on the forehead and then chin area,

I bought an exfoliator to help prevent skin texture and keep pores unclogged (which my skin is pretty good that i don't have a whole lot of both, some pimples every now and then normally at that time of the month) But i always heard that it's good to use a exfoliator to help prevent that and to get rid of the dead skin.

I'm not an expert on skincare hahah, so trying to find a good routine.  I've been using a gentle cleanser, and the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner usually every other night.. I find it makes my skin oily in the mornings. and then a moisturizer.. I started adding a low retinol a few months ago 1-3 times a week.  

Thanks for your help 🙂

[WinglessOne]

No problem, @aimes10! 

Exfoliants are good, but not everyone needs one. Example: folks who use a scrubby cleanser, or a washcloth or cleansing tool (like a SEPHORA COLLECTION Vegan Makeup Remover and Cleansing Brush  or FOREO LUNA™ 4 go Facial Cleansing & Massaging Device Evergreen  ) are already doing manual/physical exfoliation and probably don't need to add chemical exfoliation on top of that, at least not an AHA or PHA exfoliant. 

That Glow Recipe toner is an exfoliant. If you've been using that, then you don't need to add an additional exfoliant to your routine. 🙂 Since it contains PHA, you might wanna reduce use to just 1-3 times a week, just to ensure you don't damage your skin barrier by over-exfoliating. 

[aimes10]

@WinglessOne  Perfect, I'll just continue to do what I'm doing, and use the toner a bit less! I actually have a FOREO LUNA™ Mini 3  , not sure why i stopped using it, but will have to start up again!

One more question you may know.. do you know of a good product, that can get rid of dark spots after pimples have disappeared?

[aliyahrodas]

BHA, PHA, or any exfoliant that promotes cell turnover will force your skin into a “purging” period, kinda like a break out but not really. is the burn really bad?

[SportyGirly125]

@aimes10 @I have sensitive skin and mix Origins GinZing™ Refreshing Scrub Cleanser 5 oz/ 150 mL  with  Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash  at least once a week