You exfoliate your skin once or twice a week, using a ViaBuff buff and pairing this with an exfoliating serum containing a keratolytic agent like salicylic acid or papain. You follow up with a good moisturizer and sunscreen, and make sure to clean your buff out after each use – so why the heck aren’t you seeing good results when you exfoliate? Below we’ve detailed a few of the reasons why you may no longer be seeing results from your exfoliative routine, and what you should do instead?
You are Using an Old Buff
We pride ourselves on the superior open-cell polyurethane design of our ViaBuff buffs. They last an average of 90 days (which is three times longer than your standard buff) and can last for several more months if they are regularly washed and cared for. Regretfully, we haven’t yet figured out how to make our buffs last forever, so using your buff long after the 90 day period may be the source of your problem. If you notice that you puff appears deflated or no longer delivers a satisfying scrub, then it’s time to pick a new buff, potentially in a different level.
You are Using the Wrong Buff for Your Skin
Think that you have normal skin that only gets occasional oily patches? Think again – you may have skin that is naturally oily instead of normally well-balanced. In this case, your buff is not working to the best of its abilities because you are not using it on the appropriate skin type, and in some cases may be doing more harm than. We at ViaBuff offer four levels of exfoliation: the purple Level 1 Exfoliating Buff for oily skin, psoriatic skin, or acne-prone skin; the green Level 2Exfoliating Buff is for normal skin and eczema, whereas our pink Level 3 Exfoliating Buff is for dry skin, keratosis pilaris, freshly waxed skin and ingrown hairs; finally, our white Level 4 is best for exceptionally dry skin.
You are Using a Low Concentration of Exfoliating Ingredients
Salicylic acid, papain, and bromelain are some of the best ingredients for exfoliation. Nevertheless, not all ingredients are created equal. Enzymes like bromelain and papain are activated by water, no pH, and thus do not provide as robust an exfoliation as ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid can provide (International Dermal Institute). Similarly, if you are using a salicylic or glycolic acid-containing product but aren’t seeing ideal results, then you may want to consult with your dermatologist about using chemical peels or using products containing higher concentrations of keratolytic ingredients. Chemical peels provide a great way to exfoliate the skin while treating conditions like acne or aging (The American Society for Demratologic Surgery). However, given that they contain higher concentrations of ingredients and remove a layer of skin, peels should only be used upon dermatologist recommendation.
Bottom Line
If you use one of our ViaBuff buffs and pair it with a great exfoliating scrub, then the odds are that you will have a great exfoliative experience. However, some of us occasionally run into hiccups that prevent our skin from feeling beautiful and healthy. Using an exfoliating buff long after its utility has been exhausted certainly won’t yield a top notch exfoliation, even if you are using one of our ViaBuff buffs. You should also select a buff that matches your skin’s needs, as using one that is too rough or too gentle will likely yield undesirable results. Finally, even if you are using great keraotlytic ingredients, you may be using ones which are too gentle for your skin type, or which are used in too small of a dose. For the best exfoliative experience, consult with your dermatologist about which products are the best for your skin.