Exfoliating is one of those things that a lot of skin care aficionados need to do, but sometimes it's hard to know the best way to do it. When it comes to the different types of exfoliants, you're probably familiar with acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) and physical exfoliants like sugar, coffee and jojoba seed, but there are differences. This is from a K-beauty site called Water Peel and is definitely worth a try.
Water peels may not be very popular in the United States, but scrubs are already hugely popular in the Korean beauty scene and are garnering attention everywhere. Learn more about water scrubbing from a Korean beautician below.
What is a water heater?
Also known as water peels, water peels treat everything from sunspots to dryness and pigmentation in Korean cosmetic clinics. "Aqua-peel treatment focuses on deep cleansing and exfoliating with AHAs and BHAs," Charlotte Cho, founder of Soco Glam, tells POPSUGAR. "After a deep exfoliation, they use a special pore vacuum device to remove dirt and oil from your skin. The peel is followed by a treatment that deeply nourishes and dries the skin."
In the United States, HydraFacial is a popular in-office version of the treatment. It works the same way: a gentle suction tube penetrates the skin with gentle exfoliating acids while helping unclog pores. The same device uses humectants like hyaluronic acid to penetrate the skin to hydrate and plump it.
"This is a common treatment for a natural dewy look before a big event like a wedding," says Cho. Celebrities use the treatment before red carpet events.
Many brands in Korea strive to recreate watery skin in at-home products that sometimes require a trip to the dermatologist or salon. "Korean beauty brands have created gentle, at-home products to mimic a popular treatment called 'exfoliating gels,'" says Cho. Although not as intense as a trip to the beauty clinic, Soko Glam offers a wide variety of shaving gel options.
Popular at-home water exfoliants or exfoliating gels include Saturday Skin Rub-a-Dub Gel Cleanser ($28), Cosrx Low pH Good Night Gentle Exfoliating Gel ($16), and Banila Co. Includes the Pure Zero Shine Scrub Gel ($19). .
Benefits of water scrub and scrub gel
The benefits of water peels and exfoliating gels are similar to other forms of exfoliation (soft, shiny, even skin), only they don't cause irritation or sensitivity.
"Koreans are experts at exfoliating," says Cho. "You know that regular but gentle exfoliation that doesn't damage your skin's natural defenses is essential to the overall health of your skin. With an exfoliating gel, you can gently open your pores, remove dirt, and smooth out blemishes. Skin tension without irritation ."
Gentle skin scrub
Being gentle on acne-prone and sensitive skin is a hallmark of water exfoliation and one of the reasons why so many people are drawn to it. "Korean beauty products are often formulated for sensitive skin, so they often offer very gentle solutions," says Cho. "Exfoliating gels work to gently exfoliate without harsh or harsh physical or chemical exfoliation. When you rub the gel into your skin, dead skin cells combine with the gel to create smoother, softer skin."
How to use peeling gel and water scrub
Because of their gentleness, says Cho, you can often use at-home gel exfoliators in your skincare routine. Plus, most types of exfoliation require you to take a break from your acid, peel, or bath routine, but Cho says you don't need to. “You can really combine it with any property,” he says.
As with any product, be sure to do a patch test before diving in.