Regular exfoliation will help your skin look its best, especially if you have issues with acne, uneven skin tone or general anti-ageing issues. Chemical exfoliators (that is, lotions, liquids and pads) have become a favorite exfoliator for many a beauty writer. Manual or physical exfoliators (such as scrubs and cleansing brushes) have become less popular method.

Should you stop using a facial scrub or can it still be incorporated into your skin-care? If you are using a scrub with micro-beads - Yes, really. However, if you do wish to continue with your present regieme, make sure you choose just one method per day — either chemical exfoliation (pads, liquids and lotions) or physical. If you’ve achieved exfoliation with the former, you can actually irritate your skin by using a physical exfoliator on top of that.

All skin types will benefit form the use of a well formulated chemical exfoliant. These help improve texture and tone while unclogging pores and diminishing the look of larger ones. Further, you can layer other skincare products on top, allowing for better penetration of serums and moisturisers.

There are two main types of chemical exfoliators AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), and BHAs, (beta-hydroxy acids). The two most popular AHAs are Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. The principal BHA refers specifically to Salicylic Acid (known to many who have spots)

It is important to remember that, if you are using ANY chemical exfoliator, you must include good sun protection after use.