Exfoliants at Cheeks + Co

The Step Your Skincare Routine Is Probably Missing

Here's a truth that might sting a little: you can invest in the most elegant serums and the most luxurious moisturizers on the market, but if you're skipping exfoliation, a significant portion of those products is sitting on top of dead skin cells instead of actually reaching the living tissue that needs them.

Exfoliation isn't glamorous. It doesn't have the instant gratification of a hydrating mask or the sensory pleasure of a rich face oil. But it's the workhorse of any effective skincare routine, the step that makes everything else work better. Think of it as clearing the path so your other products can actually do their jobs.

At Cheeks + Co, we've curated a small but intentional collection of exfoliants that cover the full spectrum of needs, from gentle daily acid toning to targeted body treatments designed to keep skin smooth between waxing appointments. Each one has earned its place on our shelves because it delivers real results without compromising skin health.

Understanding Exfoliation: What's Actually Happening

Your skin is constantly renewing itself. New cells form in the deeper layers, gradually migrate to the surface, and eventually die and slough off. When you're young, this cycle completes itself roughly every 28 days. As you age, it slows down considerably, sometimes taking 40 to 50 days or longer.

When dead cells accumulate on the surface faster than they naturally shed, problems start to emerge. Skin looks dull and tired. Texture becomes rough and uneven. Pores appear larger because they're clogged with debris. Products sit on top of the skin instead of absorbing. Fine lines look more pronounced because light doesn't reflect evenly off the surface.

Exfoliation accelerates this natural shedding process, helping your skin let go of cells it no longer needs. The result is a smoother, brighter, more even-toned complexion that's better able to absorb and benefit from everything you apply afterward.

Chemical vs. Physical Exfoliation: The Great Debate

Walk into any beauty store and you'll find two broad categories of exfoliants: chemical and physical. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right approach for your skin.

Physical exfoliants use some kind of textured material to manually buff away dead cells. Think scrubs with beads, grains, or particles that you massage across your skin. The mechanical action loosens and removes surface debris. When done correctly with the right product, physical exfoliation provides immediate smoothing and can feel deeply satisfying.

The catch? Not all physical exfoliants are created equal. Harsh scrubs with jagged particles (looking at you, crushed walnut shells) can create micro-tears in the skin, leading to irritation and potentially even long-term damage. The key is finding physical exfoliants that use uniformly shaped, gentle particles, like jojoba beads, that polish without scratching.

Chemical exfoliants work differently. Instead of physically scrubbing away dead cells, they use acids or enzymes to dissolve the bonds holding those cells together. The dead layer essentially loosens and releases on its own, revealing fresh skin beneath. This approach tends to be gentler and more even than scrubbing, and it can penetrate into pores in ways that physical exfoliation cannot.

The most common chemical exfoliants are AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and citric acid are water-soluble and work primarily on the skin's surface. They're excellent for addressing dullness, uneven tone, fine lines, and dry texture. BHAs like salicylic acid are oil-soluble, meaning they can penetrate into pores to clear congestion from within. They're ideal for oily, acne-prone skin.

Enzyme exfoliants offer another chemical approach. Derived from fruits like papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin, these enzymes break down the proteins that hold dead cells together. They tend to be gentler than acids and work well for sensitive skin types.

Then there's the hybrid approach: products that combine chemical and physical exfoliation for a more comprehensive treatment. These can be particularly effective because they address dead skin from multiple angles, dissolving bonds while also manually clearing debris.

How Often Should You Exfoliate?

This is where things get personal. The right frequency depends on your skin type, the strength of your exfoliant, and what other actives you're using in your routine.

For most people, exfoliating two to three times per week strikes the right balance between maintaining smooth, clear skin and avoiding over-exfoliation. If you have oily, congested skin that can tolerate more stimulation, you might work up to daily use of a gentle acid toner. If your skin is sensitive, dry, or reactive, once a week might be plenty.

The danger zone is over-exfoliation. Signs include persistent redness, increased sensitivity, breakouts in unusual places, a tight or waxy feeling, and skin that looks shiny but feels dry. If you notice any of these symptoms, pull back immediately. Your skin's barrier needs time to recover before you reintroduce exfoliation.

A good rule of thumb: start slower than you think you need to and increase frequency only if your skin responds well. It's much easier to add more exfoliation than to repair a damaged barrier.

Why Exfoliation Matters for Waxing Clients

If you're one of our regular waxing clients, exfoliation isn't optional. It's essential for keeping skin smooth between appointments and preventing the ingrown hairs that can turn hair removal into a frustrating cycle of bumps and irritation.

When hair is removed from the follicle, the new hair growing in has to push its way through the skin's surface. If that surface is covered in dead cells and debris, the hair can get trapped beneath, curling back on itself and causing an ingrown. Regular exfoliation keeps the path clear, allowing new hair to emerge without obstruction.

The timing matters, though. You want to exfoliate consistently between waxing appointments but avoid exfoliating for 24 to 48 hours before and after your service. Freshly waxed skin is more sensitive and needs time to calm down before you introduce any kind of exfoliation.

For body areas prone to ingrowns, like the bikini line, underarms, and legs, a combination exfoliant that offers both chemical and physical action tends to work best. The acids help dissolve the buildup that traps hair while the gentle physical component clears surface debris.

Our Curated Exfoliant Collection

We don't carry dozens of exfoliants. We carry three, each chosen because it excels at something specific and aligns with our commitment to clean, effective skincare.

For Your Face: Josh Rosebrook Daily Acid Toner

If you've been intimidated by acid exfoliants, this is the product that will change your mind. Josh Rosebrook developed something genuinely thoughtful here: an acid toner that sensitive and rosacea-prone skin can actually tolerate while still delivering the brightening, smoothing results you're after.

The formula centers on hibiscus flower acid, which naturally contains a blend of fruit acids including pyruvic, malic, tartaric, and citric varieties. Because these acids occur together in one botanical source rather than being isolated and concentrated individually, they work at varying intensities and absorption rates. The effect is thorough exfoliation without that intense burning sensation you might associate with single-acid products. Fruit-derived glycolic acid rounds out the formula, contributing to long-term collagen support.

What elevates this toner beyond a simple acid treatment is its base. Rather than suspending those actives in a harsh, drying liquid, Josh Rosebrook built them into a nourishing blend of hydrating aloe, mineral-rich sea kelp, soothing chamomile, and antioxidant-packed green tea. Your skin gets exfoliated and cared for simultaneously.

Apply it daily after cleansing, either swept on with a cotton round or pressed directly into skin with your palms. With consistent use, expect smoother texture, more balanced tone, softened fine lines, and that unmistakable radiance that properly turned-over skin produces.

This formula is appropriate during pregnancy and nursing. It pairs well with retinol without causing excessive irritation. All skin types can use it, including those prone to sensitivity or breakouts.

For Your Body: Fur Silk Scrub

Fur approaches body care with the same sophistication most brands reserve for facial skincare. Their philosophy? The skin on your body, especially in areas where you remove hair, deserves thoughtful, effective products. The Silk Scrub delivers exactly that: a refined body exfoliant suitable for even your most delicate zones while still being robust enough to address concerns like keratosis pilaris and stubborn ingrowns.

This scrub attacks dead skin from three angles simultaneously. Glycolic and lactic acids chemically loosen the bonds between cells. Fruit enzymes from papaya and pineapple digest the proteins holding that debris in place while calming inflammation. And spherical jojoba beads (a sustainable alternative to plastic microbeads that won't harm marine life or scratch your skin) manually sweep everything away.

The consistency is creamy and smooth rather than aggressively gritty. Use it as a quick polish during your shower routine, or apply a thicker layer and let it sit for up to ten minutes as an intensive treatment mask. Both approaches leave skin noticeably softer and clearer.

This scrub excels at bikini line upkeep between waxing sessions, keeping underarms smooth and free of product buildup, treating legs with bumpy texture or visible hair follicles, and any area where ingrown hairs tend to appear.

The formula has been tested by both dermatologists and gynecologists. It's vegan, and formulated without parabens, phthalates, or silicones.

For Oily and Congested Skin: RD Alchemy Rich Exfoliating Cream Scrub

When gentle isn't cutting it and your pores need serious attention, RD Alchemy's Rich Exfoliating Cream Scrub steps up. This formula was built for skin that runs oily, clogs easily, or battles regular breakouts. It layers multiple clearing mechanisms to flush out debris and leave pores visibly refined.

The ingredient strategy combines physical and chemical approaches: round jojoba beads that won't biodegrade into microplastic pollution provide manual scrubbing action, while enzymes sourced from papaya and pumpkin digest the proteins binding dead cells together. A quartet of alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, citric, and tartaric) dissolves what's left, and white kaolin clay pulls excess sebum and impurities up and out.

What prevents this from being too harsh is the supporting cast of ingredients. Turmeric and green tea extracts combat inflammation and provide antioxidant protection. The cream base keeps skin from feeling stripped. And the particle size of the jojoba beads is small enough to polish without scratching.

Use it one to three times weekly, massaging in circular motions then rinsing thoroughly. Pro tip from our treatment room: this scrub works especially well in the shower, where the steam helps open pores and the water makes rinsing easy and complete.

Ideal for those dealing with blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, excess oil production, and dull, congested texture.

Building Exfoliation Into Your Routine

Where exfoliation fits in your routine depends on the type of product you're using.

Acid toners like the Josh Rosebrook Daily Acid Toner come after cleansing and before serums. Cleanse your face, apply the toner to a cotton round or your palms, sweep or press across your face, let it absorb for a moment, then continue with the rest of your routine. The exfoliating acids will help everything that follows penetrate more effectively.

Physical scrubs and hybrid scrub-masks work best during cleansing. Wet your skin, apply the scrub, massage gently for 30 seconds to a minute (or leave on longer if the product allows), then rinse thoroughly before continuing with toner and serums.

Body exfoliants are typically used in the shower. Apply to damp skin, massage in circular motions paying extra attention to rough or ingrown-prone areas, then rinse. Follow with body oil or lotion while skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.

Whatever products you choose, remember that freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to sun exposure. Always follow your morning exfoliation with SPF, and consider saving more intensive exfoliation for your evening routine.

When to Skip Exfoliation

Exfoliation is powerful precisely because it's removing something from your skin. There are times when that's exactly what you need and times when it's the last thing your skin can handle.

Skip exfoliation if your skin is sunburned, windburned, or otherwise irritated. If you have active breakouts that are inflamed or broken, exfoliating can spread bacteria and worsen the situation. If you've just had a professional treatment like a chemical peel, microneedling, or laser service, follow your provider's instructions about when to resume exfoliation. If your skin barrier feels compromised, tight, or reactive, focus on repair before you reintroduce any kind of exfoliation.

And as mentioned earlier, avoid exfoliating for at least 24 to 48 hours before and after waxing. Your esthetician will thank you, and so will your skin.

The Bottom Line on Exfoliation

Exfoliation is one of those skincare steps that's easy to skip but impossible to fake. You can't moisturize your way to glowing skin if dead cells are blocking the path. You can't treat congestion if debris keeps accumulating faster than you can clear it. And you can't maximize the investment you're making in quality skincare if half of it is sitting on top of skin that can't absorb it.

The products in our exfoliant collection represent the best of what's available in clean, effective exfoliation. Whether you need gentle daily acid toning, targeted body care, or intensive pore-clearing power, we have something that will work for your skin without compromising your health or your values.

Professional Exfoliation Services at Cheeks + Co

While at-home exfoliation is essential for maintaining results between appointments, there are times when professional-grade exfoliation can take your skin to the next level. At Cheeks + Co, we offer two powerful in-spa exfoliation treatments that go beyond what any at-home product can achieve.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is mechanical exfoliation taken to its most refined and effective form. Using a specialized device, your esthetician gently resurfaces the skin with fine crystals or a diamond-tipped wand while simultaneously vacuuming away the loosened dead cells and debris.

This treatment reaches deeper than any scrub or acid toner can at home, effectively polishing away the outermost layers of skin to reveal the fresher, smoother tissue beneath. The suction component also stimulates blood flow and encourages lymphatic drainage, giving skin an immediate plumped and refreshed appearance.

Microdermabrasion is particularly effective for addressing dull, tired-looking skin, fine lines and superficial wrinkles, uneven texture and rough patches, mild acne scarring, sun damage and age spots, enlarged pores, and stubborn congestion.

Most clients see immediate improvement after a single session, though a series of treatments delivers the most dramatic and lasting results. Your esthetician can recommend a treatment schedule based on your specific concerns and goals.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is exfoliation meets hair removal, and the results are nothing short of transformative. Using a sterile surgical scalpel held at a precise angle, your esthetician gently scrapes away both the dead skin cells on the surface and the fine vellus hair (peach fuzz) that covers most faces.

The immediate effect is skin that's impossibly smooth to the touch. Makeup glides on flawlessly. Skincare products absorb without any barrier. Light reflects evenly off the surface, creating a natural luminosity that's hard to achieve any other way.

Beyond the instant gratification, dermaplaning offers real skincare benefits. Removing that layer of dead cells and fine hair allows your products to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively. Many clients find that their serums and treatments perform noticeably better in the weeks following a dermaplaning session.

Dermaplaning is ideal for anyone who wants an immediate glow-up before a special event, struggles with peach fuzz that makes makeup look cakey, wants to enhance product penetration, prefers physical exfoliation over chemical, or is pregnant or breastfeeding and avoiding certain acids.

And no, the hair doesn't grow back thicker or darker. That's a myth. Vellus hair is genetically programmed to be fine and soft, and removing it doesn't change its structure or growth pattern.

Combining Professional and At-Home Exfoliation

The best results come from a strategic combination of professional treatments and consistent at-home care. Think of your in-spa services as periodic deep cleaning and your daily or weekly exfoliation as ongoing maintenance.

After a microdermabrasion or dermaplaning treatment, your esthetician will advise you on when to resume at-home exfoliation. Typically you'll want to give your skin a few days to recover before reintroducing acids or scrubs. Once you're cleared to resume, maintaining your exfoliation routine helps extend and enhance the results of your professional treatment.

Not sure which approach is right for you? Book a consultation with one of our Glow Givers. We'll assess your skin, discuss your concerns and goals, and create a customized plan that combines the right professional services with the right at-home products.

Ready to Transform Your Skin?

Whether you're new to exfoliation or looking to upgrade your current routine, we're here to help you find the right approach. Browse our curated collection of exfoliants, book a facial that includes professional exfoliation, or simply stop by one of our locations to chat with our team about what your skin needs.

Smoother, brighter, healthier skin is waiting. Let's get there together.