What is a chemical exfoliator vs. a physical exfoliator?Updated a month ago

A chemical exfoliator uses skin-friendly acids (like AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs) to dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to shed gently and evenly. A physical exfoliator relies on a texture you can feel (scrubs or cleansing tools) to manually buff away dead skin. Chemical exfoliators tend to be gentler, more consistent, and better for targeting concerns like dullness, uneven tone, and fine lines. Physical exfoliators offer immediate smoothing through manual polishing.