Exfoliators - which type is generally better?

[cardamomginger]

Wondering which type of facial exfoliator is generally better: the ones that work primarily through mechanical action, i.e. facial washes with grains of stuff in them, or the ones that work through chemical action, i.e. face masks with enzymes in them.

Kind of idle speculation, but I've just finished my tube of Elemis Papaya Enzyme and I'm wondering whether to go in a different direction.

Any beauticians out there?

It just really depends on your preference. I prefer twice a to do a scrub. I'm thinking of trying the Sanctuary microdermabrasion which warms up.
I am a beauty therapist. I don't really think that you need to over exfoliate every day. I don't like daily exfoliants. They can remove too much of the acid mantle which is the skin's protection. If you remove the protective layer too much the skin can produce more oil causing more spots.

• twice a week

Thanks . I pretty much do a once a week mask and then a milder scrub half way through the week.

I do like the Elemis Papaya mask, but I've also kind of fallen for the Aesop facial scrub.

Surely it depends on your skin type? I use Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit wash, which has salicylic acid so chemical exfoliation, it also has grains but not too harsh, and I use it twice daily. Normal moisturiser in the day, thick Nivea cream at night, and my skin has never been clearer and no dryness. I used to only use it twice a week, but I only took that on holiday and using it all the time, realised how clear and fresh my skin became.

I have recently started using the Clarins Exfoliator Toner after seeing a few good reviews and love it. It makes a visible difference to my face each time I use it. It is a liquid with various acids in it and you just apply it like you would with a traditional toner, with a cotton wool ball.

It says once or twice a week, but Caroline Hirons uses it twice a day (!) and says it's fine as it's actually quite gentle. I probably use it 3 times a week I think, although tend to use it when my skin needs perking up rather than on a set schedule.

I'm also a fan of the Papaya Enzyme peel too though (smells so good I want to eat it!)