Exfoliation is an important part of taking care of your skin but it needs a gentler, more thoughtful approach for mature skin. Choosing the right one comes down to a few key factors such as skin sensitivity, concerns and lifestyle. I have had to change my approach to exfoliating as I’ve aged because my skin requires different things in my late 40’s than it did in my 20’s or 30’s. In today’s post, I am going to share some of my favorite exfoliators both physical and chemical that work really well for mature skin types.
For more skincare content, check out these other blog posts:
Best facial cleanser for mature skin
Best sunscreen for mature skin
How often should you exfoliate your body?
8 Best Exfoliators For Mature Skin
When choosing an exfoliator for mature skin, there are a few things to consider: skin type, sensitivity, ingredients, and whether you prefer physical or chemical exfoliation.
What Does Exfoliating Do for Mature Skin?
As we age, our cellular turnover slows down so the our skin can look dull, dry and uneven. It’s important to regularly exfoliate in order to help the skin look and perform better. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin. It can improve skin texture, fade dark spots, even out the skin tone and support collagen production. Additionally, exfoliating can help your skincare products absorb more effectively so you get better results. This is a slow process so you must remain consistent in order to see changes in your skin.
The Best Exfoliators For Mature Skin
When it comes to exfoliators, you have two different categories to choose from. Physical exfoliators use granules or friction to remove the dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliation utilizes acids to complete this process. Here are some of my favorite recommendations for both physical exfoliators and chemical exfoliators which all work well for a mature skin type.
Best Physical Exfoliators For Mature Skin
If you prefer a physical exfoliator, make sure you find a formula that is effective but not too harsh. Mature skin can be very delicate and using harsh abrasive products can do more damage than good. A newer formulation that I really like is an enzyme powder exfoliator which is usually very finely milled so the physical aspect is extremely gentle. If you can tolerate something stronger, there are really great formulations that utilize micro-dermabrasion to help provide an intense exfoliation.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a cult classic that remains one of the brand’s best sellers year after year. It’s a rice-based powder that can be used daily to help dullness, uneven skin tone and texture. The formula also contains alpha hydroxy acids that are activated upon contact with water so this is a great combination of both physical and chemical exfoliation. To balance out the effective exfoliants in the formula, the Dermalogica Microfoliant also contains a blend of colloidal oatmeal to help calm the skin.
Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Cleanser
This is one of the first enzyme powder exfoliants I ever used. It was so impressive that I immediately fell in love with the concept of finely milled powder exfoliants that are effective yet non-irritating. There are 4 versions of this rice polish suitable for normal, dry, oily and sensitive skin types. It features silk proteins to help condition and nourish. The powder is water activated so you will need to mix a bit of water with the powder in your hands and massage onto the face. In addition to a finely ground form of rice bran, the formula contains papaya enzymes and Japanese superfoods. The papaya enzymes help to promote natural skin turnover and the Japanese superfoods – green tea, rice and algae work to restore radiance. Additionally the powders have a pH neutral base which means they won’t strip the skin of any moisture or break the skin’s moisture barrier which could leave it feeling dry/uncomfortable.
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment AHA + BHA Resurfacing Facial
A strong yet incredibly effective option if your skin can tolerate an intense exfoliation. The Kate Somerville Exfolikate utilizes alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, enzymes and physical polish to give you super soft skin. It’s meant to be used as both a physical exfoliant and mask. Apply on damp skin, massage for 60 seconds and leave on for up to 2 minutes. As with any exfoliating product, it’s best to patch test a small area on your face or body to make sure your skin can tolerate the formulation.
Sofie Pavitt Face Studio-Smooth Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub Treatment
Utilizing both chemical and physical exfoliants, this scrub treatment will give you a strong exfoliation. Apply it on damp skin and massage for 60 seconds. It’s formulated with magnesium flakes to buff away dead skin, zinc gluconate to support healthy sebum production/reduce the appearance of pores and polyhydroxy acids to help hydrate the skin.
Best Chemical Exfoliators For Mature Skin
Chemical exfoliators utilize different acids like alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, etc to help dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells rather than scrubbing. Personally, I love a chemical exfoliant as they are incredibly effective without being abrasive.
U Beauty Resurfacing Flash Peel Face Mask (discount code: MAREE20)
The U Beauty resurfacing peel is one of the best formulations I’ve ever tried. It’s insanely effective while not irritating my skin. There is a tiny bit of tingling when I first apply which goes away after a minute or two. When you first begin using, it’s best to leave on for less than 5 minutes working your way up to the recommended time of 15 minutes. I only use it once a month but my skin literally glows for days after. Formulated with glycolic acid, vitamin B5 and fruit hydroxy acids, this peel removes every last bit of texture without stripping my skin or leaving it feeling sensitive. It’s a splurge but worth every penny!
Summer Fridays Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads
If you don’t wan to commit to a peel/mask that you have to wear for up to 15 minutes, exfoliating pads are a great alternative. They are an instant way to get an effective exfoliation just with one swipe across the face. A gentle formula that I love are the Summer Fridays Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads. There is both a smooth and textured side to these pads so you can get both a chemical and physical exfoliation if you want. The key exfoliants in these pads are a proprietary mix of glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid. To balance this out, the pads also contain various skin soothing complexes to prevent irritation. Additionally, I love that these are packaged individually so you can easily travel with them.
YiSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads (discount code: MAREE15)
For a step up in terms of strength, these YiSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads are fantastic! I’m pretty picky about my exfoliating pads not being too strong or too gentle. They are formulated with glycolic acid which helps to slough off those dead skin cells and improve skin texture. It also contains gluconalacotone which has anti-inflammatory properties. Even though it resurfaces, my skin still feels nicely hydrated afterwards instead of tight or irritated. I also LOVE the shape of them because they are a dual-textured pad with a pocket that you can fit your fingers into and easily swipe across the face.
Pixi Glow Tonic (discount code: MAREE10)
I have been using this gentle exfoliating toner for nearly a decade. It’s the least strong out of this entire list but can be used daily with little to no irritation. I like to apply it on a cotton round and then gently swipe all over the face. It contains 5% glycolic acid to help remove the dead skin cells, while the aloe vera and ginseng in the formula help to soothe, hydrate and energize the complexion. Use a few times a week in the morning or evening and your skin will be glowing!
Physical vs Chemical Exfoliation: Which Is Better for Mature Skin?
Neither is universally better but it depends on your preference and sensitivity. Physical exfoliants can be effective but there is more chance to possibly damage your skin if you are too rough in using them. It’s important to be gentle, use the recommended amount of product and keep the rest of your skincare routine focused on soothing and hydrating. Chemical exfoliation is my preferred method for my own mature skin. They can often be used a few times a week depending on your skin’s tolerance. And depending on the formulation, can be used in conjunction with other active ingredients in your routine. The only recommendation I give when deciding on an exfoliant is to wear sunscreen every single day. With regular exfoliation, the skin can become more sensitive and at risk for sun damage if you aren’t using an SPF daily. Even if you are planning to be inside or if it’s a cloudy day, daily sunscreen when exfoliating regularly is a non-negotiable.
How To Choose An Exfoliator For Mature Skin
- Look at the label to see if it works for you skin type. Certain exfoliants are better suited for dry skin, oily skin, etc so it’s best to choose the right one.
- Identify your preferred exfoliating ingredients. My skin responds well to glycolic acid, so I will usually seek out a formulation that contains it.
- Consider your life style. If you only have the time to exfoliate once or twice a month, choose a stronger formula that will give you a deep exfoliation. If you want to include something daily, peel pads or an exfoliating toner could be a good option.
- Stick with a brand you are familiar with first. If there is a skincare brand you already use and love, see if they have an exfoliator to try.
- Head to your local Ulta Beauty or Sephora to get a consultation with someone on staff. They are trained on tons of different skincare brands so they can help guide you to a formula suitable for your needs.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Mature Skin?
First look at the product to see what the brand recommends in terms of frequency. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the number of times a week you should be exfoliating because it depends on so many different factors. The standard answer is usually one to three times a week depending on the product and your skin, but more is not always better. It’s important to protect your skin barrier which can easily get damaged from over-exfoliating. My personal approach to exfoliating is to start slow and build up as needed. I will begin with a VERY gentle formula only using it once a week. Once I have determined that my skin can tolerate it, I will increase the strength or frequency as needed. It’s also important to mention that your skin can change as it ages so what you could tolerate years ago may not work anymore. Things like hormonal shifts, perimenopause, menopause, medication, etc can all affect your skin’s ability to handle exfoliation. Once you have found your ideal cadence and products, be sure to keep your skin barrier well supported and nourished with the right products.
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