I have one holy grail product that keeps my skin looking healthy, glowy, and clear all summer long — exfoliating pads. These aren't new by any means, but I feel like they're simply not talked about enough for how much of a godsend they've actually are. My skin tends to get extremely congested in the summer due to the heat and excess oil. Whenever that happens, I just start adding exfoliating pads back into my regimen and voila! Clear skin all week! To understand more about why these work — and which exfoliating pads work best — I reached out to experts Jenneane Rocha (licensed esthetician and skin expert), Colleen Baren (business strategist behind leading K beauty brands like Madeca Derma and W.Dressroom at BesselCo's Helm), Dr. Harold Lancer (founder of Lancer Skincare), Keith O'Briant (CEO of Hydrinity), and Dr. Divya Sachdev (licensed dermatologist) for the low down.
What are the benefits of exfoliating pads?
Photo by Lancer Skincare
Whenever I use exfoliating pads, I notice a massive difference in my skin. They help to keep my texture down so my skin is smooth and has a fresh base.
Licensed esthetician and skin expert, Jenneane Rocha, says, "Exfoliating pads are a great at-home exfoliant for in between your facial treatments. They brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of texture, pore size, and texture. It is important to pay close attention to the ingredients and do not over-exfoliate, which can cause damage to your skin's barrier."
Exfoliating pads help target so many different things in your skin and are extremely beneficial to remove dead skin and dark spots. We also heard from Colleen Baren (known for work with Madeca Derma and W.Dressroom at BesselCo's Helm) in regards to this. She says, "While exfoliating pads are generally known for convenience and their gentle ability to remove dead skin cells, did you know that they are also beneficial for fading dark spots and providing a brightening boost to your dull skin?"
Baren also added, "As summer approaches our skin becomes impacted by a variety of external aggressors such as UV, allergens, heat… all causing our pores to become clogged, skin pigmentation to become uneven, and reduce the ability for the skin to hold hydration. Using exfoliating pads removes excess dirt/dead skin cells and opens our pores to increase absorption of our moisturizing and sunscreen products thus strengthening our skin's barrier and allowing us proper hydration for healthy skin." Sounds like magic to us!
How will exfoliating pads help my skin in the summer?
Photo by Liz Correa/Dupe Photos
One of my favorite dermatologists, Dr. Harold Lancer, gave us his expert opinion on exfoliating pads by saying, "Exfoliating pads can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine to remove blackheads and decrease breakouts during the summer months as heats cause sweating, increased oil production, and clogged pores. Pads formulated with Lactic Acid and other chemical agents can also fade dark spots that remain on the skin. Lancer Skincare Gentle Exfoliating Peel Pads with 7% Lactic Acid + Bakuchiol are an effective option that I recommend to all of my patients."
Having tried many of the Lancer products myself, I can attest that these are your newest secret to clear, glowy looking skin for the summertime!
Keith O'Briant, CEO of Hydrinity, also weighed in on this topic. He said, "Exfoliating pads offer a convenient and effective way to remove dead skin cells, which can clog pores and dull your complexion. By incorporating these into your daily skincare routine, you can enhance your skin’s natural renewal process, leading to a clearer, smoother, and more radiant complexion."
In regards to how these are helpful in the summertime, O'Briant says, "Especially in the warmer months, regular use of exfoliating pads helps to prevent the buildup of oils and debris, which is often exacerbated by higher temperatures and increased outdoor activity." Exfoliating pads are key to remove any congestion on the skin in the summer!
How should you add exfoliating pads into your routine?
Photo by Yan Krukau/PEXELS
Dermatologist extraordinaire Dr. Divya Sachdev says on the topic, "As a dermatologist, I would highlight that exfoliating pads are beneficial primarily because they assist in the turnover of skin cells, which can lead to brighter and smoother skin."
She adds, "However, while they offer these benefits, it's important to use them judiciously. Overuse of exfoliating pads can lead to dryness and irritation, particularly when combined with sun exposure, which can intensify these effects. Therefore, I often recommend balancing the use of exfoliating pads with hydrating and restorative treatments, such as moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin or hydrating facials."
So while they are incredibly beneficial, it's important to not over-use them and make sure to hydrate your skin whilst they are in your regimen!
Can you use exfoliating pads everyday?
Photo by Sora Shimazaki/PEXELS
It honestly depends on your skin type and what it's been exposed to in regards to your other skincare ingredients. I introduce a lot of harsher and more potent ingredients like retinols and acids to my routine, so my skin can handle more frequent usage. But my skin is also very dry, so I don't use them everyday to make sure I'm maintaining moisture in my skin as well.
My personal routine with exfoliating pads is to use them every other day, rotating between morning and night. This helps me always keep my skin looking baby-smooth, but not too dry! Make sure to supplement with extra-hydrating moisturizer in order to to keep your skin dewy and moisturized while you're at it!
Shop Exfoliating Pads Here:
Jan Marini's Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads
Rocha told us her holy grail product in the form of exfoliating pads. She says, "My favorite exfoliating pads which I recommend to all my clients are Jan Marini's Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads." What I love about these are that they have glycolic, salicylic, mandelic & lactic acid which are all essential in getting glowy skin for the summer while also helping to treat wrinkles.
Lancer Gentle Exfoliating Peel Pads
Lancer products are tried-and-true faves of mine! These individually wrapped exfoliating pads are perfect for packing in your purse, taking on your travels, and anything in-between!
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Peel Pads
Similar to the Lancer Skincare exfoliating pads, these Dr. Dennis Gross options are individually wrapped — wonderful you all the on-the-go girlies out there. While I've used (and loved) these, Bravolebrity and fashionista Paige DeSorbo is also a huuuuge Dr. Dennis Gross fan!
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
First Aid is really on the rise these days, with all the girls trying and talking about it. You can find these amazing exfoliating pads that I'm obsessed with on Amazon, in Target, and at Sephora.
YSE Beauty Exfoliating Pads
This elegant-looking container holds some of my favorite exfoliating pads. I've used these, and I loved the results so much! I definitely recommend giving them a try!
Have you tried exfoliating pads? Tag us on Instagram with your thoughts and explore our Beauty page for the latest makeup and skincare trends.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Featured image via Jan Marini Skincare.
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