ABSTRACT
By definition, to exfoliate is to remove the surface in scales or laminae. Therefore,
classical exfoliants are those agents that work at the skin’s surface causing the removal
of skin in layers. Exfoliation is characterized, based on its mechanism of action, into
3 categories:
1. physical/manual (loofah or microdermabrasion)
2. chemical/keratolytic agents (e.g., salicylic acid)
3. natural/exuviation (e.g., alpha-hydroxy acids)
Manual or physical exfoliation involves the use of physically abrasive devices such
as loofahs and could also include instrumental techniques such as microdermabrasion.
Manual exfoliants physically scrape and remove surface skin cells.
