There’s a lot of jargon thrown around the skincare space. Fluffy words and fluffier Instagram photos. It’s easy to get confused and a little lost (physically in beauty aisles and mentally in beauty buzzwords), #letsbefrank.
I’m here to set the record straight on a few popular skincare rivalries: what each means, what the difference is, and which one comes out on top.
Now, it’s time for a nice, clean battle.
BATTLE 1: CHEMICAL VS. PHYSICAL EXFOLIATION
In the pink corner we have chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation uses… (pause for dramatic effect) chemicals. These include natural elements like gentle acids and enzymes, like the ones found in my Brightening Vitamin C Mask.
Special skills: Dissolves the glue that holds together dead skin cells. Fights through oil that gets stuck in pores. Clears away congestion. Fades the appearance of acne scars and fine lines over time. Always hold your hand in public.
And in the purple corner we have physical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation uses small particles or textures to exfoliate. Like my best selling Original Face Scrub.
Special skills: Buffs away the top layer of dead, dull, damaged skin for an instant glow. Helps boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. Texts you goodnight.
The winner: it’s a tie.
While my Original Face Scrub has more visibly immediate results, my Brightening Vitamin C Mask is about deep, long-term results. Both types of exfoliation work together, complementing each other to give you your brightest, softest skin ever.
BATTLE 2: MASK VS. SERUM
In the pink corner, we have the face mask. Face masks are applied after cleansing. They come in many forms: clay, sheet, overnight, peel-off. To name a few. Rinse off masks, like my Glow Mask and Brightening Vitamin C Mask, are applied after cleansing, but before the rest of your routine.
Special skills: Masks target specific skin concerns. Helps other products work better. Makes you feel like a babe.
In the purple corner, we have the serum. A serum is a product you apply after cleansing and before moisturising, to deliver powerful ingredients straight to your skin.
Special skills: Serums also target specific skin concerns. Easy to apply. And remembers your dad’s birthday.
The winner: mask.
Masks give you highly-effective, concentrated attention. They help your skin absorb more active ingredients than a serum. But unlike sheet masks, my Brightening Vitamin C Mask comes in a serum-like bottle, giving you more bang for your buck. It’s the best of both the mask and serum world.
BATTLE 3: MOISTURISING VS. HYDRATING
In the pink corner we have hydrating. Hydration is all about the water content that’s inside your cells. Hydrated skin is plump and bouncy. The opposite of hydrated skin is dehydrated skin.
Special skills: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Makes skin brighter and bouncier. Always has the perfect response to a flirty text.
In the purple corner we have moisturising. Moisturising is all about trapping and sealing in water, to keep your skin smooth and soft. The opposite of moisturised skin is dry skin.
Special skills: Locks in and seals moisture in the skin barrier, keeping it healthy. Balances with active exfoliators to reduce dryness. Knows when to give advice and when to listen.
The winner: that depends on you, babe.
The first sign of dry skin might have babes reaching for their favourite moisturiser. But consider if your skin is dry or dehydrated. For dry skin, use my Caffeinated Face Moisturiser. Light & non-greasy, it keeps skin soft and supple without clogging your pores. For dehydrated skin: drink 2L of water a day to keep your skin happy and hydrated from the inside out.
