Regular exfoliation is indispensable for healthy, happy skin. Whether your skin type is oily, dry or something in between a.k.a. combination – exfoliation helps shed dead cells to reveal a smooth, radiant surface. This process is also responsible for removing flakiness, unclogging pores, alleviating dullness, and treating blackheads, whiteheads, and so much more.  

However, the numerous benefits of exfoliation are often outweighed by myths surrounding it. Rest assured – the right formulation and technique kick worries like photosensitivity, a compromised barrier, and uncomfortable dryness to the curb.  

In this blog, we delve into the benefits of exfoliation and how to go about the process for the combination skin type. We then bring you the best-selling exfoliating formula from Foxtale that help elevate your skincare game exponentially. 

Why Is Exfoliation Necessary? 

Your skin renews itself every 25 to 30 days, shedding old cells and regenerating from the basal layer. However, certain factors can slacken the shedding process, leading to unwanted buildup on the dermis. This delay can cause a gamut of skin concerns like clogged pores, acne breakouts, dullness, etc. 

Exfoliation helps accelerate the shedding process, revealing the cleaner, brighter surface sitting underneath. There are different methods of exfoliation which we discuss in the next section. 

How Are The Benefits Of Exfoliation For Combination Skin? 

Before digging deeper on how to exfoliate combination skin, let’s understand the many benefits of the process.

1. Improves skin texture: Exfoliation helps improve skin texture, revealing a smoother, brighter surface sitting underneath.  

2. Unclogs pores: We know that combination skin has characteristics of oily and dry skin. The perpetual shine on these oily areas attracts dirt, grime, and other impurities that clog pores over time – leading to their enlarged appearance. A potent exfoliant removes buildup from the pores, ensuring smooth skin.  

3. Prevents blackheads, whiteheads, and acne: Exfoliation reduces blackheads, whiteheads, and acne by buffing away pore-clogging buildup. If you notice recurring blackheads on your T-zone, apply the formula of choice topically.  

4. Stimulates healthy regeneration of skin cells: By shedding away buildup, exfoliation also promotes healthy regeneration while boosting Collagen production.  

5. Better absorption of serums and treatments: Not specific to skin type, but exfoliation helps exterminate the layer of buildup on the dermis. This ensures better absorption of your serum and further boosts its efficacy. 

6. Enhanced glow: For combination skin peeps, dryness on the cheeks can make your skin look dull. Exfoliation helps clear the flakiness or extreme dryness from the face, granting it a renewed glow instead. 

What Are The Different Types Of Exfoliation? 

You can buff away the dead cells from your dermis, using one or more of the following options 

1. Physical Exfoliation: Physical exfoliation involves using abrasive ingredients to remove dirt, debris, and dead cells from the dermis. These formulas boast grainy or beady substances (like coffee, sugar and jojoba) to ensure healthy regeneration of skin cells. Additionally, the use of loofah or washcloth also falls under physical exfoliation. However, one must observe caution while administering physical exfoliation as it may cause microtears, inflammation and other types of flareups.  

2. Chemical Exfoliation: Chemical exfoliation uses active ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)and (/or) Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)to dissolve buildup. But that’s not all. These acids also tighten pores, reduce acne and ensure a long-lasting glow for the skin – without drying it.

Best Products To Exfoliate Combination Skin 

For combination skin, we recommend chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs. These acids are meticulous yet gentle and ensure the best results while upholding overall skin health. Luckily, Foxtale carries two great offerings, a mask and a serum for your consideration.

1. AHA BHA Exfoliating Serum 

Ingredients: Glycolic Acid (AHA), Salicylic Acid (BHA), Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid 

The mild yet effective formula dissolves buildup, ensuring a clean and clear surface. Chemical exfoliants (re: Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid) cut excess oil, tighten pores, reduce whiteheads, blackheads and acne from the first use. The best part? The topical application of the exfoliating formula doesn’t cause a tingling or burning sensation on the skin. Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide help revive the dry areas on combination skin. 

2. Overnight Glow Mask 

Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Vitamin E 

The best face mask for glowing skin starts working in 30 seconds, targeting concerns like whiteheads, blackheads, acne, dead cell buildup and enlarged pores. Glycolic Acid exfoliates the skin’s outermost layer, cueing healthy cell renewal. The best part? Lactic Acid and Vitamin E in the mask improve your skin’s water-holding capacity, making it a must-have for combination skin. 

How To Exfoliate Combination Skin  

Now that you are well-versed in the best products for exfoliation, why not make the most of it? Here are some practices for exfoliation that one must bear in mind

1. Precursor: Use a gentle, pH-balancing cleanser to dislodge buildup from the skin. We recommend Foxtale’s Acne Control Face Wash for the job. The Salicylic Acid face wash cuts excess sebum, reduces acne, and soothes inflammation. Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide ensure sustained hydration for the skin – making it a great pick for the combination skin type.  

2. How to apply: Once your face is dry, apply 2 to 3 pumps of the treatment on your face. Don’t rub your skin, as it may cause strain or stress 

3. Frequency: For combination skin folks, we recommend exfoliation only 2 to 3 times a week (nothing more). Steer clear of over-exfoliation that is counterproductive to efforts for good skin. It dislodges natural oils from the skin, making it dry and uncomfortably tight. 

4. Moisturization: Once you're through with the step, apply a generous amount of moisturizer to seal the treatment. For combination skin, we recommend Foxtale’s Oil Free Moisture. The lightweight and non-greasy formula blots excess sebum while ensuring sustained hydration to the skin. 

5. Prevent photosensitivity: Exfoliation may cause photosensitivity in certain individuals. To prevent this problem, we recommend applying two fingers’ worth of sunscreen in your AM regimen. For the combination skin type, you may try our Mattifying or Ultra Matte Sunscreen.