Exfoliants - Lotions And Potions: Skin Health
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Exfoliants
Moisturizers that contain exfoliant ingredients can improve the appearance of the skin by removing dead surface skin cells. As a result, they can smooth the skin's appearance and even out some discoloration from too much sun exposure. Exfoliants can be particularly useful for aging skin that appears rough and sallow, because older skin doesn't slough off dead surface skin cells as easily as younger skin does.
Two chemical exfoliants, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), are considered superior to many exfoliating scrubs, masks, soaps, toners, and abrasive cloths (see below). That's because they change cell growth patterns and may help renew collagen.
| Last updated: | July 20, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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