We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Choose the Best Men's Exfoliator?

By Kaiser Castro
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,014
Share

A men’s exfoliator essentially removes the dead skin cells on the epidermis, allowing for new skin to shine through. An essential tool in a man’s grooming kit, exfoliators are most often used to prep the skin for shaving. There are actually two types of this skincare product that will buff away dead skin cells — chemical and mechanical. Some manufacturers create their exfoliating face washes with beta- or alpha-hydroxy acids, allowing for chemical sloughing of the skin, while mechanical exfoliators are usually created with ground up, synthetic bits to essentially scrape away the dead skin cells. Both of these methods are viable ways of cleansing the skin, but there are some pros and cons of which you will have to be aware for each.

Chemical exfoliators that are formulated with organic beta- or alpha-hydroxy acids will chemically slough off dead skin cells. The exfoliating action tends to be gentle and the efficacy of the exfoliating action tends to increase with continued use. A men's exfoliator that is formulated with a chemical exfoliator will benefit those who have sensitive skin or those with skin that produces too much oil due to the acids being able to control sebum production. Chemical exfoliation will usually not be powerful enough, however, to remove stubborn, dry patches.

Mechanical exfoliators tend to be more robust, immediately improving the texture of the skin. The exfoliating action lies in the tiny bits that scrape the dead cells and skin impurities, allowing for comprehensive cleansing. Most mechanical exfoliators will benefit those who have flaky skin. Sensitive skin types should steer away from mechanical exfoliators due to their aggressive nature.

Visiting a beauty boutique or a dermatologist’s office to try the different textures offered in exfoliators may help you to make a decision as to which to use at home. Pouring some onto the tips of your fingers and lightly rubbing the exfoliator between the fingers to feel the consistency will help you to choose one that is right for the skin type. While chemical exfoliators should be formulated with a gentle mix of acids and skin-soothing ingredients to combat the dryness that is usually associated with freshly shaven skin, a mechanical exfoliator should feel slightly gritty to the touch.

No matter if the exfoliator is mechanical or chemical-based, a men's exfoliator should be able to power through facial hair, as well as help to soothe the skin before and after shaving. A men's exfoliator should be formulated with skin-soothing ingredients like chamomile or jojoba oil. Some of these exfoliators will not only remove grime off of your whiskers and skin, but will also help to soften facial hair and ready it for shaving.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-choose-the-best-mens-exfoliator.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.