If the abrasive action of a traditional face scrub causes more problems than it solves, someone has probably already pointed you in the direction of chemical exfoliants or peels. Chemical exfoliants do the same job as their mechanical counterparts only rather than slough away dead skin and debris (causing invisible micro-tears), they employ acids to simply eat through whatever is sitting on the surface of the skin. It’s like deciding to strip a wall with a chemical solution instead of a sponge and scraper.
Unfortunately, the average chemical formula is not intelligent enough to discern between dead skin cells and ones that are still busy at work. Moreover, harsh formulas often work like actual paint stripper on your skin, causing a lot of irritation.
Wary of this catch-22, dermatologist brand Perricone MD has introduced the sci-fi sounding Blue Plasma (which, rather suitably, actually looks like a blood sample extracted from an Avatar). The non-acidic liquid formula works like a traditional peel except that it manages to target only dead skin cells, leaving the ones that are still operational to their usual business. It also micro-extracts surface debris and dissolves surface pollutants without damaging or drying out the skin. Ideal for sensitive skin types who’ve dodged the exfoliation conundrum altogether.
Blue Plasma retails for £78. Launching in the UK March 2013 on perriconemd.co.uk, johnlewis.com and leading department stores.
