Physical Exfoliation's Got A Bad Rep—But Here's Why I'm Not Buying Into It

If there's one thing we all love, it's an unassuming villain. Be it in smut books, or in TV dramas. And the skincare world's equivalent to a hot villain is none other than the infamous physical scrub. For the past few years, physical exfoliation has been cast as the ultimate bad guy. The narrative? It’s too harsh, it causes micro-tears, and it’s simply not snobby, sophisticated skincare. But, let’s take a step back—because (at the massive risk of being cast  a beauty pariah) I’m here to argue that physical exfoliation deserves a little redemption.

First, let’s talk about where the bad reputation comes from. The fear of physical exfoliation really took off in the early 2010s when people started realizing that some scrubs—looking at you, walnut shell—were a little too aggressive. We heard horror stories about microscopic cuts, disrupted skin barriers, and premature aging.

Enter chemical exfoliants: AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, the posh and proper skincare essentials, which promised smoother skin without the damage. The message was clear: if you still used a scrub, you were practically torturing your skin.

But here’s the thing—not all physical exfoliants are created equal and need to be the enemy. In fact, when done right, they can be a game-changer for achieving that smooth, glowy skin we’re all after. The key? Choosing the right formula and using it with a little common sense. Gentle exfoliating powders, superfine rice bran, and soft jojoba beads? All excellent options. And let’s not forget the magic of a well-crafted exfoliating cloth or konjac sponge—sometimes, a little manual buffing is exactly what your skin craves.

Another reason I’m not giving up on physical exfoliation? The sheer instant gratification that is now apparently a bad thing to give ourselves. Unlike chemical exfoliants, which require patience (and sometimes a little purging period), a well-done scrub session gives you baby-soft skin immediately. There’s something so indescribably satisfying about feeling the smoothness right away—like a mini at-home facial in under two minutes.

Of course, balance is key. Overdoing it? Not cute. Scrubbing your face raw with something too abrasive? Please don’t. But dismissing physical exfoliation altogether? Also, a no from me. Sometimes, a gentle, controlled buffing session is exactly what your skin needs to slough off dullness and let your real, un-polluted, untouched skin shine through. Just don't do it more than once in ten days.

So if you've been conditioned to fear the scrub, maybe it’s time to rethink the narrative. Choose wisely, be gentle, and enjoy the glow. Because let’s be real, nothing beats that fresh-faced, just-washed-with-apricot-scrub feeling.