Since the beginning of reading teen magazines and using a certain supermarket bought apricot scrub, the satisfactory feeling of a top to toe scrub feels pretty damn good.

But is it doing us any good?

Although physically shedding all the dead skin cells sitting on top of our skin feels pretty pleasing, it’s not doing much to the structure of the cells. 

Shedding the top superficial layer has your skin feeling silky smooth right afterwards, but chemical exfoliation is something that works on the deeper levels of your skin dermis and actually changes your cells, for the better.

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) work deeply within the epidermis and dermis to dramatically change the function of our skin cells leaving us with some outstanding results.

Treating acne, de-clogging dead skin cells, hyperpigmentation, pore size, brightening skin, smoothing uneven texture, boosting collagen and elastin all while strengthening the skin barrier to protect against oxidative damage.

Something your average pumice or sugar granule can’t do.

Below are some of the chemical exfoliating AHAs and BHAs Tronque uses to make the skin of your body that much better.

Willow Bark Extract 

An oil-soluble beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates deeply into the skin epidermis. Salicylic acid works on a deeper layer of the skin, to treat acne, whiteheads and blackheads by de-clogging dead skin cells. Derived from willow bark, salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial soothing irritated skin, acne lesions and red inflamed pustular skin. By dismantling the ‘glue’ that holds cells together, the BHA deeply exfoliates the skin by breaking down skin cells, gently diminishing problematic skin and reducing pore size. Salicylic acid furthermore improves skin aging by increasing collagen levels by improving the quality of elastin fibres.

Glycolic Acid

An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugarcane. Glycolic acid has the lowest molecular weight where it can penetrate the skin to work deeply in the epidermis. Mainly treating acne and clogged pores, glycolic acid is a gentle chemical exfoliant that sheds dead skin cells by loosening the tightly bonded skin cells. Glycolic acid also stimulates collagen production treating hyperpigmentation, firms the skin by decreasing wrinkles and fine lines, leaving the skin literally glowing.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from milk. This natural ingredient loosens the bonds of old skin cells, ingredient gently but powerfully exfoliating the skin, treating acne, clogged pores, blackheads and pore size. This hydrating acid also improves skin texture along with lightening dark stops and hyperpigmentation. This powerhouse ingredient can also reduce the appearance of aging by pumping wrinkles and fine lines.

Lactic acid has been used for centuries and was beloved by Cleopatra, where she used to bath in milk baths.

Pineapple Extract

Pineapple includes a combination of beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) packed full of bromelain; a powerful proteolytic plant enzyme full of antioxidants. This superficial natural acid exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores and is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial while doing so. Packed full of vitamins C and E, pineapple extract helps to brighten and even skin tone while fighting free radical damage.

Sugar Maple Sugar Cane

This naturally derived alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is extracted from the Sugar Maple tree. Sugar Maple contains the natural AHAs, Malic and Tartaric acid. The gentle fruit acids work simultaneously to powerfully slough away dead skin cells and removing bacteria to reveal brighter, smoother and tighter skin all while improving moisture levels. The natural antioxidant vigorously counteracts oxidative stress on the skin while increasing collagen and glycosaminoglycan production all while working overtime to prevent elastase, the enzyme that breaks down skins’ elastin. These actions are what prevent the construction of acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and crepey skin.

Citric Acid

Derived and extracted from citrus fruits such as lemons, grapefruits and oranges, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) citric acid helps to adjust the pH levels and exfoliate the skin. The chemical exfoliant assists in dissolving the ‘glue’ that holds cells together that causes dull skin, acne, blackheads, pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and rough, uneven skin. Rich in antioxidants, citric acid assists in repairing damaged skin from the sun, while strengthening the skin barrier to protect against future sun damage. 

Bilberry (Lactic acid) 

Used for centuries for medicinal purposes and skin care benefits, the bilberry plant, native to Northern Europe contains a particular type of antioxidant called anthocyanins. This compound is known to reverse damage by free radical oxidation and pollution. The fruit is very similar to blueberries with very high levels of Vitamin C and quercetin that further assist the anti-aging process and reversing oxidation damage. The anti-inflammatory properties protect and strengthen skin against UVA light, environmental damage and irritated skin. Packed with Vitamins B, C and E and flavonoid anthocyanoside, which strengthens capillaries.

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