We’re always told how abrasive physical exfoliants can be, leading to micro-tears and inflammation. So at first, the thought of using one on my dry skin daily went against everything I knew and learned about skincare so far. However, I’m a beauty writer and testing products is part of my job, even if it means treating my skin as an experiment ground. Needless to say, with apprehensions in my mind, I gave Dermalogica’s Daily Milkfoliant a chance.
For the record, I used it every alternate day in my PM routine for two weeks. I decided to do this so I could follow it up with an elaborative skincare routine that can work on my skin through the night.
Besides all the warning signs, exfoliating is actually a good practice to add to your skincare routine. However, we’d like to reiterate that a dermatologist’s discretion is a must here. Yes, your skin’s natural oils are actually good for you because they act as a layer of protection that locks in moisture and keeps your skin barrier supported. But excess sebum production can clog your pores, leading to acne, blackheads and whiteheads. So although the kind of exfoliant you use and the number of times you exfoliate in a week can change depending on your skin concerns, this practice can majorly help in removing the build-up for a smooth texture.
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For dry or flaky skin types, exfoliating can encourage healthy skin turnover and for acne-prone skin, it can help keep your pores sebum-free. It is important to note here that the exfoliation must not be done on active acne.
As far as skincare brands go, Dermalogica products actually do what they claim. It was founded by Jane Wurwand, a skin therapist who has been offering professional-grade skincare education, products, and services since the brand’s inception in 1986. Dermalogica is best known for its Daily Microfoliant, so when I received the new Daily Milkfoliant, I was intrigued to try it.
Dermalogica’s Daily Milkfoliant
Dermalogica’s Daily Milkfoliant is a calming oat-based exfoliant that works as a polish for the skin. For starters, the powder in the bottle is very finely milled, so it’s not as harsh as the beads in some infamous exfoliating face washes or scrubs. The entire process of dispensing half a teaspoon of this powder onto wet hands, and rubbing them together to create an exfoliating paste makes you feel like a mad scientist.
Week 1
Before I started using Dermalogica’s Daily Milkfoliant, I had a look at their ingredients list. It has a blend of fruit-based grape extract and arginine-rich Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) that work together to promote cell turnover. Although this is desirable, no matter what combination of AHAs and BHAs you use, they have the tendency to make your skin sensitive. For this reason, I was extra cautious to moisturise my skin a little more than usual after exfoliating it.
Quick tip: Because this product contains AHAs and BHAs, it can potentially make your skin more sensitive to the sun. I don’t mean to give you another reason to apply sunscreen daily because we already have enough, but being diligent with your SPF after exfoliation is non-negotiable.
However, because this Milkfoliant has coconut milk with moisturising properties and papain extract that smoothens and softens the skin, I didn’t feel the need to add extra moisture as anticipated. Upon first application, the paste felt similar to a mud mask, only lighter. It spread easily on the skin and washed off just as effortlessly after a minute of exfoliating. Contrary to most physical exfoliants, my skin didn’t feel stripped of its natural oils and was rather left feeling calmer. I also noticed that my makeup sat a lot better on my face immediately after the first use, and my skin didn’t feel irritated.
My Final Verdict – Week 2
After a successful first week, I decided to continue using the exfoliant for another week before making up my mind about its efficacy. However, I reduced the frequency to twice a week–the tweak that surprised me in the best way. It withdrew my reservations about physical exfoliators and gave my never-oily skin a chance to produce some oils. The texture of my skin became softer and smoother. On the whole, I found the Daily Milkfoliant quite gentle for my flaking skin and enlarged pore. A rather effective investment!
Quick tip: For those with oily skin, using a daily exfoliator every alternate day might be a suitable option. However, for my dry skin, I didn’t feel the need to use it daily and switched to using it a couple of times a week. So whenever you introduce a new skincare product into your routine, it’s best to listen to your skin and treat it accordingly.
