We asked Dr Grace Hula, an aesthetic doctor, to explain the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation and the benefits of both. No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED DUAL ACTION Cleansing Water 200 ml ℮ 6.7 US Fl. Oz. PAO 6M INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Polysorbate 20, Butylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane) extract, Sodium benzoate, Propylene glycol, Ascorbyl glucoside, Dipropylene glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citrus limon (Lemon) fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) fruit extract, Potassium hydroxide, Acer saccharum (Sugar maple) extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Morus alba leaf extract. A daily dual-action exfoliating cleanser reveals refreshingly clean, smoother and radiant looking skin. 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. 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.”

Cleanses skin of dirt and impurities including make-up and pollution without over drying. Excess oil is removed and pores appear less visible, leaving skin feeling renewed. A new frame appears with the text GET THE FULL RANGE at the top of the frame and group shot of Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Serum, Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Eye Cream, Lift & Luminate DUAL ACTION Cleansing Exfoliator, Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Day Cream and Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Night Cream.] Dark spots and hyperpigmentation - The unique anti-spot property of vitamin C lightens dark spots without altering your skin's normal pigmentation.

A fourth gushed: "I’m a single parent on a budget. Last things on your list a skin care products. Until I found this product. It is my facial saviour, if nothing else I use this micro-dermabrasion twice weekly. The changes to my skin are instant, my face feels smoother and looks younger instantly. I wouldn’t lie about the impact this product has as I know budgets are tight. But this product works like magic and really does make your skin instantly feel younger. It improves your pores and reduces any fine lines that you have started to notice. I’m 43 and paying more attention then ever to fine lines but if I wasn’t using the No7 total renewal micro-dermabrasion I’m sure I’d look older. Great product Great outcomes Great price." The bottle at the bottom of the frame then exits to the left to reveal a video of a woman massaging the product on to her face. The central text is replaced with PRIMES FOR REFRESHED & LUMINOUS LOOKING SKIN.]

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. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride,C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Bisabolol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitan laurate, Potassium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Behentrimonium chloride, Sucrose laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Benzoic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. 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. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Alumina, Glycerin, Paraffinum liquidum (Mineral oil), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate, Petrolatum, Cetearyl alcohol, PEG-100 stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium polyacrylate, Methylparaben, Xanthan gum, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA. 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.

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INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol denat., Dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Sodium hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Iris florentina root extract, Tocopherol, CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron oxides). However, like most things, exfoliating is only healthy in moderation — most skincare experts agree that once or twice weekly is the sweet spot for smoother skin without any irritation. What’s the difference between physical and chemical exfoliators? 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. INGREDIENTS: Dimethicone, Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Butylene glycol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, Magnesium sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Retinyl palmitate, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Propylene glycol, Sorbitan laurate, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Ethylparaben, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Panax ginseng root extract, Morus alba leaf extract, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyltripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.

These products then divide and exit the frame to reveal a large No7 logo in the centre of the frame.] 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.” If you’re eager to start fake tanning to top up any residual glow from the summer, you’ll need to resurface the top layers of skin for an even tan, whatever your skin type. Anti-ageing - Vitamin C is a natural collagen booster that improves your skin's elasticity, texture, and quality making it appear younger and firmer. It neutralises free radicals and shields against environmental damage. 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.]This frame exits to the left and is replaced by a video showing the product being poured onto the palm of a hand, and the text PRIMES FOR SMOOTHER & RADIANT LOOKING SKIN.] With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Diisopropyl dimer dilinoleate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl alcohol, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Lanolin, Cetearyl olivate, Paraffinum liquidum (Mineral oil), Sorbitan olivate, C18-36 acid glycol ester, Dimethicone, Tapioca starch, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, Paraffin, Xanthan gum, Cera microcristallina (Microcrystalline wax), Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Ethyl vanillin, Palmitic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium saccharin, Carbomer, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, Polysorbate 20, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. 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.] Not only does resurfacing the top layer of skin remove these dead cells and lift dirt, but it also allows for better absorption of nourishing moisturisers and body oils deeper into the epidermis.