What is acid brushing? Brushing acid is to help remove excess dead skin cells by changing the acidity of the skin surface and promoting the normal metabolism of skin cells.
To give a vivid example, brushing acid is like peeling the bark of a tree. Using products containing such substances as pectic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, etc., depending on the concentration, from the stratum corneum to the epidermis, a layer of penetration and exfoliation to promote new skin growth.
The ultimate goal of acid brushing is to achieve whitening, acne-removing, anti-inflammatory, acne-dissolving, pore-reducing, skin-improving, and anti-aging effects. Because acid brushing is a "destructive construction", blindly brushing acid will destroy the normal function of the skin and easily lead to skin allergies.
- Why do we need to brush acid?
People with smooth and soft skin can naturally exfoliate, but if your skin can’t complete this process on its own, it will be more difficult to repair the accumulation of keratin and blocked pores on its own, so you need to use acids to help it. As long as the acid is brushed correctly and regularly, this can be done!
The function of brushing acid is to use a certain concentration of acid to promote the exfoliation of the stratum corneum, help to remove old dead skin cells, and speed up the skin's metabolism. It can help the skin to soothe acne, closed mouth, rough skin, pigmentation, and other problems. To put it vernacularly, if you apply acid products, such as salicylic acid, fruit acid, mandelic acid, and acid on the face, it is sour.
- how should we choose the acid that suits us?
There are many kinds of acids, for example, salicylic acid, fruit acid, mandelic acid, azelaic acid, etc. How should we choose the right acid for us?
- Salicylic acid is suitable for closing blackheads and acne. Salicylic acid is fat-soluble and especially suitable for oily skin, including the shrinkage of pores caused by excessive oil production, which can be relieved to a certain extent. Dry skin needs to be well moisturized. Neutriherbs Salicylic Acid Serum is a fortified formula of 2% BHAs and glycolic acid to stimulate cell turnover while fighting acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Camellia and tea tree extracts soothe and calm red and irritated skin.
- Fruit acid is suitable for rough and uneven skin, closed mouth, keratosis around the hair (also suitable for chicken skin on the body), and pigmentation. If dry skin wants to brush acid, fruit acid is the first choice. Neutriherbs AHA is a blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid to exfoliate dead skin cells, accelerate skin metabolism, shrink pores, slow down melanin deposition, and keep skin smooth, bright, and attractive.
In addition, natural plant extracts - Calendula and Chamomile, and powerful moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid help strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and soothe the skin.
- Mandelic acid is a kind of fruit acid, and it is also the only fat-soluble acid in fruit acid. It can help inhibit sebaceous glands, reduce oil production and reduce acne and acne. It is very mild, but not so powerful.
- Azelaic acid is suitable for local acne marks, rosacea, and closed-mouth acne.
- How to brush acid correctly and effectively?
After choosing the acid that suits you, how should you brush the acid correctly and effectively? First of all, brush acid must establish tolerance!
The principles of use are low concentration, small area, and short time. Brush from the tolerated area first. For sensitive skin, you can use moisturizing products first and then use acid products.
- First, choose a low-concentration acid product, and try it locally, such as the T-zone, forehead, and chin, and slowly build up a tolerance and then apply it all over the face;
- second, first time brush the acid and stay for 1-3 minutes before watching Feel, if you can't take it, wash it off, then use a cream to moisturize and soothe, and then use it after 1-3 days, prolong the residence time of the acid on the face for 1-2 minutes each time you use it.
- Third, the frequency is gradual, starting from 1 time/week, slowly transitioning to 2~3 times/week, and then slowly reducing the interval until it is available every day.
Remember, choose a low concentration of acid for the first time, and do not blindly pursue a high concentration, so as not to cause redness, irritation, allergies, and even damage to the barrier caused by skin intolerance.
- What problems should be paid attention to during acid brushing?
①During the period of acid brushing, the skin will become thinner and more sensitive. It is necessary to suspend the use of all skin care products with anti-aging and whitening functions, especially those with exfoliating functions, otherwise, the skin will be more fragile.
②Do does not superimpose the use of various acid products, which will aggravate the damage to the stratum corneum.
③ Do not superimpose the use of alcohol-based products, because alcohol has the effect of promoting penetration.
④The skin is easy to dry after brushing with acid. It is necessary to simplify skin care, stop using functional products, and do basic moisturizing, repairing, and sun protection work.
⑤ Try to avoid applying a mask during the acid brushing period, and it is best not to makeup.
If you want to make up, try to simplify the steps of makeup as much as possible, ditch the liquid foundation, choose a BB cream with less foundation content, or a makeup primer with a color correction function.
⑥ Brushing acid is the act of peeling off keratinocytes, the stratum corneum will become thinner and more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays, so you should also pay special attention to sun protection during this period!
Many sunscreen formulas contain alcohol, so try to do physical sunscreen work during acid brushing, such as wearing masks, hats, and umbrellas, and avoiding outdoor activities as much as possible!
- What should I do if there is tingling, redness, peeling, and acne when brushing acid?
Stinging, redness, peeling and acne breakouts appear when brushing acid. These reactions are skin intolerant and are normal phenomena. Let’s talk about them one by one.
- The first phenomenon: tingling and redness
The first time you brush the acid, there will be more or less tingling and redness. After all, the face will be uncomfortable at the beginning when the pH value is low.
At this time, it mainly depends on whether you can bear it or not. Some people don't feel much skin even with high concentrations of acid, but if you use it for a long time and the sting doesn't go away, you need to lower the concentration and reduce the frequency.
- The second phenomenon: peeling
If there is only peeling and no other discomfort, you can continue to brush the acid. When the excess old dead cuticle is peeled off, the acne will gradually decrease in the later stage.
If the peeling is accompanied by redness, swelling, and tingling, stop brushing the acid or change to a low-concentration product. For extra hydration during peeling, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer, or use a serum before acid products.
- The third phenomenon, acne breakouts
If you have acne breakouts, it depends on the person. Except for a sour, there are very few scenes of big breakouts on the whole face. It is normal to grow 1 or 3 tablets a day during the acid brushing period.
Brushing acid is something that requires patience and cannot be rushed. Because acid has the effect of peeling off the stratum corneum, it has a certain irritant and makes the skin barrier function more fragile.
So we must remember three points in daily care after brushing acid: moisturizing, repairing, and sun protection. Hope we can make our skin better and better through the correct acid-brushing method!
