The Difference Between Our 3 Dermalogica Exfoliating Powders for Smoother, Softer Skin
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Key Takeaways
- Exfoliants vary greatly between individuals, necessitating personal experimentation to find the most suitable one.
- Dermalogica offers a selection of three exfoliating powders, including Daily Microfoliant, Daily Superfoliant, and Daily Milkfoliant, each catering to different skin types and concerns.
- Daily Microfoliant provides a gentle yet effective scrub and is suitable for most skin types, excluding those with sensitised skin.
- Daily Superfoliant is a more intense exfoliant aimed at addressing deeper skin concerns such as breakouts and uneven skin tone but may irritate sensitive skin.
- Daily Milkfoliant is designed for sensitive skin, offering a gentle exfoliation that calms while it polishes.
- Understanding your skin type is crucial when selecting an exfoliant to ensure it meets your needs without causing irritation.
- Use recommendations suggest adjusting usage frequency based on skin response, despite “daily” being in product names.
Raise your hand if you've ever felt like a real-life Goldilocks searching for the perfect exfoliant.
Same. Some are too gentle. Some are waaaaaay too strong.
Where's the one that's just right, you ask?
The kicker is, the best exfoliant for you and your skin will probably be different to the next person's.
For example, a strong resurfacing peel would have my sensitive baby face throwing all the toys out of the pram.
While a gentle product that politely whispers asking your dead skin cells to please go away? That would just be a waste of time, money and good product for experienced exfoliators.
Enter, the Dermalogica exfoliant powder range.
Thankfully, this active skincare brand now has not one, not two, but THREE exfoliating powders to choose from so you can find one to suit your skin type and concerns.
Skincare fans would recognise the original does-everything microfoliant.
But did you know there's also an advanced 'super' exfoliant version, and a brand new gentle exfoliant powder?
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of the best Dermalogica scrub for your skin.
Chemical vs Physical Exfoliation.
Wondering how exfoliants actually work? Here's a quick recap:
- Exfoliants fall into two categories: Physical exfoliation (often called scrubs) and chemical exfoliation.
- Physical exfoliants contain grainy particles to 'physically' slough away surface debris when rubbed against the skin.
- Chemical exfoliants contain enzymes and/or acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids that loosen the bonds between dead cells to remove them from the skin's surface.
- Some exfoliants, including the Dermalogica exfoliant powder products, combine physical and chemical exfoliation ingredients.
Learn more about which type of exfoliation is better for your skin in this YouTube video below.
Dermalogica Exfoliant Reviews.
OK, but what are the differences between these cult exfoliating powders for smoother skin?
Here's everything you need to know about the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Superfoliant and Milkfoliant.
P.S. Just because these products have the word 'daily' in their names, doesn't mean you *need* to use them every day.
But you can if your skin wants you to. Just ease up if you see any irritation, yeah?
1. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.
What:
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - A unique powder exfoliant that turns into a luscious foam when you add water.
Fast facts:
- One of the world's most popular exfoliating products for smoother, softer, brighter-looking skin.
- Finely-milled rice-based powder gives you that satisfying scrub feeling, without damaging your skin barrier.
- Rice enzymes and papain dislodge surface level dead skin cells through enzymatic exfoliation, while salicylic acid breaks down oil deeper within the pores.
- White tea, licorice oatmeal and allantoin all help to soothe, calm and balance the appearance of uneven skin.
- Anyone except those with sensitised skin can use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.
- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Refill 74g sachets are great for the environment, too!
How to use:
Massage a small amount of product between wet hands until a creamy paste forms.
Gently rub on cleansed skin in circular motions for around 60 seconds, focussing on congested areas before rinsing off.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant reviews:
With hundreds of five-star reviews, AB customers rate this cult powder exfoliant... but not always for every day.
If your skin loves the feeling of a face scrub, this product is for you. The bottle will last you ages too as you only need a half-teaspoon amount.
Personally, I enjoy using this exfoliant once a week, and my top tip would be to let the fine powder do the work instead of actually 'scrubbing' your skin.
Those with sensitised skin types will probably prefer the Dermalogica Milkfoliant (more on that product in a sec).
Or you could even mix a little bit of microfoliant in with your favourite cream or gel cleanser.
2. Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant.
What:
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant - A serious exfoliant that delivers all the fresh-faced goodness of the original Dermalogica microfoliant, and then some!
Fast facts:
- A resurfacing treatment that targets blackheads, breakouts, uneven skin tone and texture, and minimises the look of pores, sun spots, age spots and scarring.
- Like Dermalogica microfoliant, Dermalogica super exfoliant combines physical and chemical exfoliation - plus a bit extra.
- Binchotan charcoal, AHAs and enzymes absorb and dislodge excess oil, pollutants and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) brightens skin and calms irritation and redness, and red algae and tara fruit extract provide antioxidant protection from free radical damage.
How to use:
Same as the microfoliant - rub half a teaspoon of the powder between wet hands until you get a creamy paste.
Massage gently into the skin, rinse, and continue with the rest of your skincare routine.
Dermalogica Super Exfoliant reviews:
My more sensitised skin would chuck a tantrum if I used this exfoliant, but I can vouch for the powder having the same finely-milled texture as the original microfoliant.
The key sentiments that come up for this product in AB customer reviews are:
A little goes a long way. Effective, but with a gentle touch. Leaves skin feeling super fresh and smooth.
One reviewer even said, "I didn’t realise how much I loved this product until I ran out!!!"
3. Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant.
What:
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant - The newest and gentlest Dermalogica powder exfoliant, this blue bottle polishes and calms your skin barrier.
Fast facts:
- Fine powder lathers into a creamy, rich, and buttery texture to achieve softer, smoother, more vibrant skin.
- Again, this powder exfoliant combines your AHAs, BHAs and enzymes for chemical exfoliation, plus oat bran extract for that gentle scrub-like feeling.
- Also calms and replenishes the moisture barrier with oat, hyaluronic acid and coconut milk.
- Specifically formulated for those who find exfoliation irritating, including sensitive skin types.
- The cute blue packaging also comes in a handy smaller size so you can still exfoliate while travelling.
- A great alternative for anyone who loved the now-discontinued Dermalogica gentle cream exfoliant.
How to use:
You guessed it! Lather half a teaspoon of the powder between wet palms and apply to freshly-cleansed skin.
You can also add the powder to your favourite cleanser!
Dermalogica Milkfoliant reviews:
I recently used this product during our Best of New Skin Care Adore Society Masterclass (sign up to our Adore Beauty loyalty program here if you haven't already!).
Spoiler: It's now my new favourite exfoliant.
You can see here what the powder looks like before and after adding water.
The fine sand-coloured powder smells a bit like my morning porridge, which I find very comforting.
I also found the physical exfoliation on my sensitised skin to be super gentle, and it didn't cause any irritation.
My skin looked visibly softer and smoother after using, and it also felt calmer - not something I'd expect from an exfoliant.
Normal to oily skin types or experienced exfoliators might not enjoy the lack of tingle or scrub, but that's because it was made for sensitive skin-havers and dry skin folk!
Which Dermalogica Exfoliant Is Right for You?
The good news? There is a Dermalogica exfoliating powder to suit literally everyone.
Do you have sensitised or sensitive skin? Do you find exfoliating products irritate your skin? Looking for an effective exfoliant you can use every single day?
Try Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant.
Love the feeling of a physical scrub? Have normal, oily, combo or dry skin, and want an exfoliant that's not too gentle, but not too harsh either?
The original Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is your Goldilocks.
Are you an experienced exfoliator? Can your super robust skin handle stronger products?
Want a high-strength, all-in-one product that addresses skin tone, texture, hyperpigmentation, breakouts, pores and premature ageing?
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant is it.
Now, all that's left to do is add one to cart and get glowing, enjoy!
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