|
July 8, 2026 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morning! Over the past several years, the exfoliation pendulum has swung from being a twice-daily necessity to becoming a skin care step non grata.
Of course, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Most people benefit from moderate exfoliation a few times a week. Some skin can tolerate more; others need less.
The key to finding the right balance all lies in the ingredient selection. Which is why I broke down the most popular chemical exfoliants below. PS: If you are reading this newsletter because someone forwarded it to you, subscribe here to keep on receiving it. |
xx take care of yourself,
Alexandra Engler
mindbodygreen beauty director |
|
|
|
|
The best exfoliants for every skin typeNot all exfoliants work the same way. Some dissolve oil deep inside pores, others gently loosen dead skin cells on the surface. Choosing the right one for your skin type can make the difference between a healthy glow and an irritated barrier.
- Salicylic acid: An oil-soluble BHA that travels into pores to dissolve excess oil and debris. Best for oily, acne-prone, and congested skin.
- Glycolic acid: This is the smallest AHA molecule, meaning it penetrates deeply for more dramatic smoothing and brightening. Great for transforming texture and tone, but it can be too intense for sensitive skin.
- Lactic acid: A gentler AHA that exfoliates while helping draw water into the skin. Ideal for dry, dull, or mature skin that wants results without the drama.
- Mandelic acid: With a larger molecular size, mandelic acid penetrates more slowly, making it one of the best options for sensitive skin.
- PHAs: Think of these as the gentlest cousins of AHAs. They stay on the skin's surface, providing mild exfoliation. A great choice for reactive, rosacea-prone, or compromised skin.
- Enzymes: Derived from fruits like papaya and pineapple, enzymes dissolve the proteins that hold dead skin cells together rather than using acids. They're one of the mildest exfoliation options and are well suited for anyone.
The thing about exfoliation is that it's very easy to get carried away. Because the results are usually so instantly gratifying, you might be tempted to do it more and more and more. Until it becomes a problem. I’ve been there and I get it.
As I said above, everyone will have a different magic number. And that number may also change depending on the season, stage of life, or any number of fluctuations.
Just listen to your skin: If it gets red, tight, rough, or flares up with breakouts, pare down or take a break entirely.
+ Exfoliation nation:
|
|
|
|
|
Glowing Recommendations: Sensitive skin selects |
|
 Image by MARC TRAN / Stocksy |
Almost half of adults report having sensitive skin, with the majority of those being women.¹ It’s no wonder one of beauty’s biggest category booms of the last decade has been sensitive skin products, which spans skin care, makeup, and even hair care.
Being one of these individuals, I’ve tested my fair share. Here are a few of my all-time favorites.
I really could go on! But that’d be long and boring. If you want a specific product rec, feel free to reply to this email with your questions and I’ll get back to you soon!
+Don’t be so sensitive
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beauty Break: In the pits |
|
 Image by Leandro Crespi / Stocksy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skin snacks: FMDA decade ago, groundbreaking Nobel Prize-winning research found that fasting can trigger autophagy, the process by which the body recycles and rejuvenates damaged cells.
However: Fasting is hard. Obviously. And it’s not always possible (or recommended) for all people or every stage of life.
Thus the “fasting-mimicking diet” became popular. The FMD is able to stimulate similar effects of fasting without eliminating food entirely.
And research shows it also improves skin:²
- It looked at a group of 45 healthy women between the ages of 35 and 60. For five days once a month for three consecutive months, these women followed a FMD protocol.
- The women on the diet experienced significant improvements in skin hydration, texture, and tone.
What’s important about the FMD is that foods you are eating are nutrient-dense whole foods, with a focus on healthy fats, complex carbs, and plant-based proteins. So you’re not starving your skin of what it needs to build collagen, encourage turnover, and reinforce the barrier.
+Experts explain…
|
|
|
|
Hope you enjoyed this little break—have a beautiful rest of your day.
|
|
|
Want more from mindbodygreen? Find us here: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Alexandra Engler |
Senior Beauty Director |
|
|
|
|
Forwarded this email? CLICK HERE to subscribe for free! |
|
References |
1 Indian J Dermatol. 2012 Nov-Dec;57(6):419–423 2 J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 21;12(5):1710 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
*These statements haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors’ opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we’re not responsible for their content. |
|
© 2024 mindbodygreen, All rights reserved.
2980 McFarlane Road, Miami, FL 33133
UNSUBSCRIBE UNSUBSCRIBE
|
|
|
|
|
|
