What is the primary ingredient in most exfoliants?

Exfoliants are designed to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to promote a smoother and more radiant complexion. The primary ingredients used in most exfoliants include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or enzymatic agents, which are effective in helping to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, facilitating their removal. AHAs, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are water-soluble and predominantly found in many skin care products aimed at surface exfoliation and improving skin texture.

Enzymes, derived from fruits like papaya and pineapple, serve a similar purpose by breaking down the protein structure of dead skin cells. This helps to enhance cell turnover while being gentler on the skin compared to some chemical exfoliants. Due to their versatility and effectiveness, AHAs and enzymes are frequently highlighted as the primary ingredients in a wide range of exfoliating products, making this option the most accurate choice in the context of common exfoliant formulations.

While beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, are certainly effective for exfoliating, especially for oily and acne-prone skin, they are not as universally used across all exfoliating products as AHAs and enzymes. Salicylic acid is also