The Glow Guide: A Deeper Look at Chemical vs. Physical Exfoliation
As the seasons shift and we move into warmer, sunnier days, our skin needs a little help transitioning too. After months of dry indoor air, cold temps, and a heavier skincare routine, it’s common for skin to be left feeling dull, flaky, or uneven. That’s where exfoliation comes in.
Why exfoliate?
In the summer, it’s especially helpful to slough off the dead, dry skin that may have built up over the winter. This not only helps your skin look fresher and more radiant — it also allows your serums and moisturizers to absorb better, making your whole routine more effective.
The key: gentle and effective
Exfoliation doesn’t have to mean scrubbing your skin raw. In fact, that’s the opposite of what we want. Effective exfoliation is all about using the right ingredients in the right way — and being consistent without being harsh.
Chemical exfoliation: your skin’s best friend
Chemical exfoliants like acids (think lactic, glycolic, mandelic) and enzymes (like pumpkin, papaya, or cranberry) work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells so they can gently be removed. One of the things I love most about ARCONA skincare is how enzyme-focused it is — not just in their at-home products, but also in their professional facials.
These gentle-yet-powerful ingredients promote cellular turnover and help your skin stay smooth, clear, and glowing without irritation.
Let’s talk about physical exfoliation
While chemical exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells on a deeper level, physical or mechanical exfoliators work by manually buffing away the surface layer of dull, dry skin. Think of these as gentle polishing agents—scrubs with fine granules or tools like soft brushes or cloths—that help reveal smoother, more radiant skin instantly.
When used properly, physical exfoliation can be a highly effective complement to your chemical exfoliants. The key is to be gentle. Over-scrubbing or using harsh particles can cause microtears or irritation. That’s why I always prep my skin the night before with a chemical exfoliant—this softens and loosens the dead skin, so that in the morning, a physical exfoliator can gently sweep it all away.
My personal routine: the PM/AM exfoliation duo
I always use a chemical exfoliant in the evening to prep my skin — something enzyme-based to soften and loosen dead skin cells overnight. Then in the morning, I follow up with a physical or mechanical exfoliant to gently buff away what the enzymes loosened the night before.
This one-two punch leaves my skin looking fresh, polished, dewy, and hydrated — perfect for bare-faced summer days when you want to skip the makeup and just glow.
The takeaway?
Consistent, gentle exfoliation is one of the easiest ways to refresh your skin for the season. Whether you're headed into summer with a beach bag or a tote full of sunscreen and serums, don’t skip this step — your glow will thank you.
Ready to level up your summer skincare? Ask us about our favorite exfoliating products or book a facial to get expert guidance tailored to you!
Chemical exfoliators:
Physical/Mechanical exfoliators:
Abby Weis, Esthetician
Abby is a licensed esthetician and has been providing facials at breathe yoga for over 20 years. She is the only person in the country who has been trained in the ARCONA Signature Contour Treatment outside of ARCONA's small team at their studio in Los Angeles. A true honor! If you live in the Rochester, NY area and would like to book a facial with Abby, you can do so here.
A little note about recommended products: All of these products I use and LOVE! These recommendations are not only my professional opinion but my personal favorites. In addition to being an esthetician, I am also the buyer for breathe yoga and breathe at home, which means I get to choose which products we carry. Everything you’ll see in our stores comes with my 100% backing and approval. We only carry products and brands that we use and we love!!
