Facial polishes are delicate facial scrubs. We prefer to use the term ‘polish’ instead of scrub as it inspires the proper use of the product; scrubbing of delicate facial skin is not to be recommended. A facial polish speeds up the removal of dead skin cells, rejuvenating the top layer of the skin and supporting epidermal turnover. Aged skin has a slower turnover of epidermal rejuvenation so can benefit from the helping hand of a facial polish.
How does it work?
A polish can contain physical as well as chemical exfoliants. In other words, a polish can use abrasive materials that physically remove the dead skin cells, as well as incorporating chemical exfoliants which dissolve the cellular ‘glue’ that binds together dead skin cells.
Hard Plant Powders
Hard plants such as bamboo have been used in facial scrubs and polishes. Bamboo yields a very soft and gently exfoliating ingredient. Research other plant powders that are available on the market – perhaps certain tree barks or powdered roots.
Soft Plant Powders
Softer plant powders don’t generally form the main scrub particle of the product but are used as a secondary polish. Flowers such as hibiscus, lavender and rose are dried and then powdered but you need to make sure that they are completely dry before using them in a scrub. Fruit powders such as banana, raspberry and strawberry are made by freeze-drying fruit then powdering. Leaf powders are also frequently use a tea tree leaf powder and seaweed powder.
Sugar and Salt
Traditionally, most body scrubs contain sugar and salt. However, these are can be rather abrasive to the delicate facial skin and are generally better suited to body scrubs. Very finely ground salt such as Himalayan pink crystal salt is the best kind to use for the face – it is soft and mineral rich. You can also use natural pink colour to make a pretty-looking product. Many sugars are also too harsh for the face but it is possible to find softer sugars such as coconut sugar and rapadura which are not only soft but rich in natural glycolic acid helping to chemically and physically exfoliate the skin. Some people like that abrasive feeling on their skin, but in general an anti-ageing product should polish rather than scrub.
Chemical Exfoliants
It is possible to use high performance chemical exfoliants that will enhance the turnover of our epidermal skin cells and will boost the efficacy of your anti-ageing facial polish.
We also recommend that you do not use chemical exfoliants around the eyes and always conduct a skin sensitivity test on a patch of skin before using it for the first time.
