A third added: "I live on daily routines. I use this product every Monday. My skin is very soft after being able to remove dead skin cells and impurities. I use No7 advanced day cream 7 days a week as well as the night cream. I look not a day over 45-no wrinkles-and turned 66 this year!" Physical exfoliation involves the use of physical abrasives, such as scrubs or brushes, to physically remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin,” she explains. “Chemical exfoliation uses chemical compounds, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), to dissolve the intercellular glue that holds dead skin cells together.” Physically exfoliating can stimulate circulation and increase your skin's natural radiance,” she says. “However, it's important to use gentle physical exfoliants, such as soft bristle brushes and finely ground scrubs, as harsh abrasives (like those plastic netted shower polishers or hard bristle brushes) can cause micro-tears in the epidermis, especially if your skin is sensitive.”

Given that chemical exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells rather than sloughing them away, they are often less likely to irritate sensitive skin than scrubs. That said, there are plenty of physical exfoliators that feature finer, softer abrasives to relieve dryness gently. If in doubt, or if you have an inflammatory skin condition, always consult a dermatologist or doctor. How we test body scrubs and exfoliators Hyaluronic Acid - powerful moisture-binding ingredient that can hold up to 1000x its weight in water, proven to hydrate skin, retain moisture and prevent moisture loss with reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Look for AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, which exfoliate the top layers of your skin and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation,” she advises. “BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) such as salicylic acid are oil-soluble and can penetrate further into pores to unclog them and prevent breakouts." Is physical or chemical exfoliation best for my skin type? This frame then splits into 4 separate frames with the text PRIMES FOR REVIVED & BRIGHTER LOOKING SKIN in the top left frame. A video of a smiling woman massaging the product on to her cheek in the top right frame. A video of product being poured onto a finger in the bottom right frame, and a video showing the texture of the product in the bottom left frame.] INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Sorbitan stearate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl stearate, Polyacrylamide, Butylene glycol, C13 14 isoparaffin, Alcohol denat., Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Parfum (Fragrance), Tribehenin, Dipropylene glycol, Sucrose cocoate, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Propylene glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hyaluronate, Ascorbyl glucoside, Ethylparaben, Retinyl palmitate, Xanthan gum, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan laurate, Potassium hydroxide, Panax ginseng root extract, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Morus alba leaf extract, Lindera strychnifolia root extract, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.

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No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Day Cream SPF 15 + 5 ★ UVA 50 ml ℮ 1.69 US Fl. Oz. PAO 12M INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone, Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butylene glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Tribehenin, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Parfum (Fragrance), Propylene glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Sodium hyaluronate, Ascorbyl glucoside, Xanthan gum, Ethylparaben, Dipropylene glycol, Retinyl palmitate, Simethicone, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan laurate, Panax ginseng root extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, T-butyl alcohol, Carbomer, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Potassium hydroxide, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Morus alba leaf extract, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Propylene glycol, Cetearyl isononanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl laurate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Benzoic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Sodium citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl acetate, Dehydroacetic acid, Citric acid, Ceteareth -12, Cetyl palmitate, Butylene glycol, Panax ginseng root extract. Vitamin C - supports the production of healthy collagen that brightens the complexion and boosts skin's firmness. Our gift contains all of the below incredible products.This is a season favourite, get your hands on it now. The No7 logo then exits the frame to the left, and the text THE 1st STEP IN YOUR AGE-DEFYING ROUTINE appears from the right of the frame and positions itself centrally.]

We asked Dr Grace Hula, an aesthetic doctor, to explain the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation and the benefits of both.

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Dark spots and hyperpigmentation - The unique anti-spot property of vitamin C lightens dark spots without altering your skin's normal pigmentation. For best results: Gently massage into wet skin, avoiding the delicate eye area and wash away with warm water. Use as the first step of your morning and evening age-defying regime and follow with your No7 Lift & Luminate Serum & Moisturiser.

Formulated with gentle exfoliators, fruit extracts and Vitamin C, No7 exfoliating cleanser helps even skin texture and minimise the look of imperfections for skin that looks firmer, smoother and perfectly prepped for the rest of your skincare routine. Every skin cycle (around 28 to 30 days long), we shed dead skin cells. These gather on the skin's surface and clog pores, causing blemishes, roughness and dryness that leave it looking dull and ashy. Formulated with gentle exfoliating particles and a Vitamin complex of C, E and B5, this cleanser helps accelerate surface skin cell turnover. The appearance of skin texture is improved for smoother and visibly radiant looking skin. Chemical exfoliants tend to be milder and less disruptive to sensitive skin than physical ones, as explained by Dr Hula above, but many of our recommended products actually contain a clever combination of the two. Some have had their rough, chunky textures softened by oils or honey, some feel more like smooth moisturiser to apply, and others sit somewhere in between — think small beads swimming through silky creams. WARNING: DO NOT FLUSH. DISPOSE OF WITH HOUSEHOLD WASTE. If product gets into eyes rinse well with water.A new split frame slides in from the left and right of the frame showing a tube of Lift & Luminate DUAL ACTION Cleansing Exfoliator on the left, and the text WORKS IN HARMONY WITH YOUR LIFT & LUMINATE REGIME on the right.] Dr Hula recommends physical scrubs for immediately removing dead skin cells and instantly improving your skin’s texture and tone — helpful if you’re going on holiday the next day — but advises against harsh exfoliators. Three NEW No7 Pro Age Cleansers are in the centre of the frame facing forward. The products shown are: Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced DUAL ACTION Cleansing Water, Lift & Luminate DUAL ACTION Cleansing Exfoliator, and Restore & Renew DUAL ACTION Cleansing Lotion.] A new frame appears with the text GET THE FULL RANGE at the top of the frame and group shot of Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum, Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Eye Cream, Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced DUAL ACTION Cleansing Water, Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Day Cream and Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Night Cream.]