Key Differences Between Cleansing and Exfoliating

Nearly all skincare routines use cleansers, exfoliators, or both. But what is the difference between using an exfoliating product like an apricot exfoliating scrub and a regular daily cleanser? Cleansing and exfoliating can leave you with a visibly refreshed-looking complexion while priming your skin for other skincare products, but there are significant differences between the two skincare steps. Understanding the differences can help you plan your skincare routine.

Apricot Scrub

What Does Cleansing Do?


When you cleanse with a daily face wash, you remove dirt, grime, and other impurities from the surface level of your skin that have built up during the day or night. You can use your standard face cleanser every day, in the morning and before bed, or use two different cleansers. Using a facial cleanser twice a day can help your skin look and feel better. Cleansing more than twice per day, depending on your skin type, can result in dry, irritated skin. Alternatively, not cleansing enough can cause buildup to accumulate in pores, which can lead to breakouts.

How Can Cleansing Benefit Your Skin?
Removing buildup from the surface of the skin is the main benefit of cleansing. Gently removing daily grime from your face can help keep your complexion from looking dull. It can also make it easier to apply other skincare products to your skin, making them work more efficiently. For example, applying a moisturizer after a cleanser means the moisturizer can work more effectively to visibly nourish and moisturize your skin.

What Does Exfoliating Do?

Exfoliating also sweeps away daily buildup, much like cleansing. It is, however, a much more thorough approach to visibly clearing the skin, gently removing dead skin cells and more stubborn buildup from your skin. Exfoliating is often only done about once or twice each week, but it also depends on how gentle the formula is, as well as your tolerance to the product. There are physical and chemical exfoliants:

  • Physical exfoliants often use a grainy, textured substance, like finely ground and polished apricot seeds and walnut shells in an apricot scrub, to help thoroughly exfoliate the skin.
  • Chemical exfoliants, such as salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), work to exfoliate your skin without the grainy, rough texture you might experience in a physical exfoliant. A gentle, well-formulated salicylic acid cleanser might even be gentle enough for daily use.

How Can Exfoliating Benefit Your Skin?
Not only does exfoliating help reveal fresh, visibly glowing skin, but it can also help even out the look of skin tone and texture. Exfoliating can help thoroughly remove dead skin cells. This can help visibly rejuvenate the skin and help future products absorb even more effectively than after your daily cleanser.

Should You Cleanse or Exfoliate First?

Which should you do first? It’s a best practice to cleanse the skin before exfoliating it. But again, it’s worth noting that typically you’ll want to use an exfoliating facial product no more than three times a week, depending on how your skin reacts to the formula. Using your daily cleanser before your weekly exfoliator, such as an apricot scrub, can help the exfoliator come in and really do its work. As always, it’s best to follow the instructions on your skincare products for best results.

About Epicuren Discovery®

For over 30 years, Epicuren Discovery® has been delivering cutting-edge skincare formulas. Using clean, natural methods, the brand doesn’t compromise on quality, believing in the power of high-quality skincare to provide exceptional results. Epicuren has a devoted following consisting of skincare professionals and beauty fans alike. Most formulas are made with clean ingredients and enhanced with certified organics, with a focus on effective, gentle products for the skin. Start building your ideal routine with Epicuren’s best-selling skincare, including Colostrum Luminous Glow Cream®, Protein Mist Enzyme Toner, and other products such as aloe vera gel and arnica cream. Explore Epicuren’s skincare sets, take their Skin Quiz for personalized recommendations, and start building your best skincare routine.

Find effective, high-quality cleansers and exfoliators at https://epicuren.com/

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