How to Choose the Best Exfoliant for Your Skin Type

Here’s everything you ever wanted or needed to know about Mario Badescu exfoliants and how to use them.

Sun protection, daily moisturization, and proper water intake are
all crucial in achieving glowing skin, but the secret—the extra oomph—that
can take your skin (and your skin care) to the next level is regular
exfoliation. A smooth, even base is what we’re all after, so to achieve it,
it’s essential that you remove the dead skin cells and any pore-clogging dirt,
oil, or makeup that can build up over time. Doing so not only boosts clarity
and improves skin tone, but also ensures that your skin can better absorb any
products applied afterwards.

The key, however, is to exercise exfoliation in moderation. Too
much scrubbing or overuse of exfoliating acids can dry out and irritate the
skin. Limit it to one to three times a week, as per our aestheticians. If you
have…

DRY SKIN?

Exfoliate 1-2 times a week. Try:

• Almond
  & Honey Face Scrub if you’re on the sensitive or ultra-parched side; it’s a gentle,
  creamy exfoliator infused with nourishing oils and purifying minerals.
• Rolling
  Cream Peel with A.H.A., which combines manual and chemical exfoliation in a unique, mild
  formula. It highlights Lactic Acid and Peach Extract to help improve uneven
  skin tone, and any dead skin cells simply roll away. Plus—a blend of Shea
  Butter and Vitamin E replenishes skin for a softer, smoother, brighter complexion.

COMBO-DRY SKIN?

Exfoliate 1-2 times a week. Try:

• Strawberry
  Face Scrub if you love the creaminess of Almond & Honey Face Scrub, but your
  skin craves a little more of that rejuvenating zing. This sweet, fruit-based
  exfoliant features real Strawberry Seeds to buff away dulling dead skin cells.
• Botanical
  Exfoliating Scrub if you’re partial to a gel-based, physical exfoliant. This one
  features finely ground Ecuadorian Ivory Palm Seeds for an invigorating scrub-down.
  (Be gentle on your skin, though—use gentle yet firm pressure!)
• Glycolic
  Foaming Cleanser if you prefer an acid exfoliator. Use this in place of your daily
  cleanser for a rejuvenating deep clean.

NORMAL SKIN?

Exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Try:

• Kiwi
  Face Scrub for an ultra-refreshing pick-me-up. Because Kiwi Seeds are
  smaller and firmer than Strawberry Seeds, this is the exfoliant we recommend
  for anyone who loves a fruity, rejuvenating scrub.
• Botanical
  Exfoliating Scrub is the perfect alternative to Kiwi Face Scrub if you like physical
  exfoliators, but prefer a light, gel base that rinses clean.
• Glycolic
  Foaming Cleanser is a best-selling favorite for a reason: it brightens, resurfaces,
  and refines to help improve the overall look of skin.

COMBO-OILY SKIN?

Exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Try:

• Botanical
  Exfoliating Scrub polishes and invigorates for fresh, soft skin. Unlike our
  cream-based exfoliants—which are designed to leave behind a nourishing veil of
  hydration, Botanical Exfoliating Scrub has a lightweight, gel base that rinses
  off without a hint of residue.
• Glycolic
  Foaming Cleanser if you’re partial to a resurfacing face wash. Use this up to
  three times a week as a supplemental cleanser to get that feel-good deep clean.

OILY SKIN?

Exfoliate 3 times a week. Try:

• Glycolic
  Foaming Cleanser a few times a week in place of your daily face wash, or…
• Acne
  Facial Cleanser if you’re prone to T-zone congestion. Use it 2-3 times a week as
  you would Glycolic Foaming Cleanser—in place of your daily face wash—to give
  your skin a clarifying, pore-cleansing boost.

ACNE-PRONE SKIN?

Focus on clarifying your skin first. Which means:

• Using Acne
  Facial Cleanser twice daily. Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid
  highly touted for its ability to help rid the skin of dead skin cells—whose accumulation
  can cause congestions or lead to breakouts.
• Do NOT use physical exfoliants while you’re experiencing active
  breakouts: they can irritate or tear at blemishes.
• Once your skin is relatively clear, you can start incorporating Glycolic
  Foaming Cleanser into your weekly regimen to help diminish any uneven
  skin tone or texture.

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