“Micro-exfoliators are designed to accomplish the same goal of exfoliation, but [they] use a more gentle process,” explains Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “This kind of exfoliation is helpful for sensitive skin, which may not be a good candidate for harsher forms of exfoliation.” Onyeka Obioha-Lolagne, MD, board-certified dermatologist, agrees. She notes that tiny, fine exfoliating scrubs are less inflammatory compared to physical exfoliators with larger particles. These larger pieces can be jagged and overly aggressive when used on delicate skin, leading to small tears, redness, and irritation. You might be wondering, “Well, can’t I just use a physical exfoliator with larger, softer beads?” Unfortunately, these plastic pieces found in some skincare products are bad for both our plumbing and the Earth. While the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 banned these plastic microbeads, you might still find them in products manufactured abroad. If sustainability is important to you, it’s best to seek out exfoliators that use natural ingredients and dissolve upon application. Want to give microexfoliation a try? We’ve rounded up eight of the best microfoliant products out there.
