Using microdermabrasion creams to give yourself that spa skin glow in your own home is a great way to rejuvenate your skin.
After all if you book into a spa you are likely to pay serious money for one treatment so microdermabrasion at home seems to be a good way to get the same results on a tighter budget.
Buying a special microdermabrasion cream and applying it manually is one way to get the salon finish at home – the other is to buy a microdermabrasion kit (applicator and product recommended by the makers) which will usually be much more expensive.
Starting off with a microdermabrasion cream on its own may be a better bet if you haven’t tried home microdermabrasion before. If you do decide you want to invest in a microdermabrasion applicator you can always do that later on.
So – how to choose a good microdermabrasion cream that will give you the professional spa level results you want?
Stronger than a scrub
Make sure you go for a product that is more than simply an exfoliating cream or scrub.
Exfoliation creams deliver light surface cleaning of the skin – they usually contain small beads or fibrous material from fruits or plants to stimulate the skin’s surface and help it absorb the active ingredients in facial serums and creams.
Microdermabrasion is an altogether stronger and more deeply penetrating process. Originally a completely in office treatment – professional microdermabrasion machines blast the skin with tiny rough particles (either aluminium or salt) and vacuum away the debris including dead skin cells.
Removing the surface skin cells reveals the fresher, healthier and younger skin below.
Machines in skin clinics are usually of two types – less or more agressive. Microdermabrasion home systems – creams or kits – are intended to achieve the sort of results that you would get from an in office treatment using a lower powered machine. No home treatment could give you the same results as the more powerful machines.
What’s in the cream?
Microdermabrasion creams usually use the type of aluminium oxide crystal used in an in office treatment which gives a finer texture to the cream compared to a standard exfoliating product.
The composition of the creams vary according to the brand but will probably include other lightening or peeling ingredients – like glycolic acid or vitamin c – to enhance the microdermabrasion effect. Expect a good cream to contain cooling and soothing agents like cucumber or aloe vera and hydrating ingredients – often natural oils and plant extracts.
A high quality spec is important for the feel of the microdermabrasion product on your skin – you will generally pay less for a coarser paste where the crystals are not as finely ground or where the base cream is less luxurious.
Results from a good microdermabrasion cream
If you decide to try a quality microdermabrasion cream – what can you expect it to do for you?
You can expect that regular use as directed will reduce fine lines and surface blemishes, help to fade sun spots, even out your skin tone and make your skin softer and brighter. It is the refining effect of the product which prepares your skin for the creams and lotions you apply afterwards – meaning that whatever active ingredients you have in your skin care will sink in and work more effectively.
The key word here is “regular” – real improvements in your skin will be seen with repeated use over time unless yours has been neglected in which case most people see immediate positive results.
As one satisfied user of Michelle Copeland Microdermabrasion Formula commented:“Fabulous product and that’s how my skin feels after using it. It really is a more powerful scrub and my 52 year old skin feels smooth and glowing days after using it.”
Remember – what no topical cream treatment can do it is abrade the skin sufficiently to tackle deep rooted sun damage or deeper wrinkles.
Best microdermabrasion products for 2012
As with most anti aging skin care – it usually pays to go for the best cream you can afford. Here’s my suggestions for five great microdermabrasion creams with varying price points to get you started:
1. ReVive Microdermabrasion Renewal System – I have to start with this one even though the price might make you do a double take. I am a great fan of this whole range developed by world famous cosmetic surgeon, Dr Bays Brown, initially to aid post recovery in his patients. This fabulous product has been sitting on my bathroom shelf for more than a year now and I’ve been using it twice a week. Get over the initial high cost (as I had to) and it will deliver great results over a phenomenally long time.
There are two stages to the ReVive microdermabrasion process: a generous pot of cream and a gel that is applied immediately afterwards. The abrading crystals are extremely finely ground and the cream is luxurious and easy to apply to slightly damp skin with fingertips. After patting skin dry apply the calming, hydrating gel which contains Epidermal Growth Factor to boost skin cell turnover and renewal. The result is a highly polished glow – simply the best microdermabrasion cream I have ever used and best price is on offer at Amazon. Unfortunately no reviews on there yet.
2. Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Face Cream – This is the product that first convinced me of the value of a good crystal based microdermabrasion cream. Great skin care brand and excellent reviews from users. Extremely effective at reviving dull lifeless skin and restoring glow. Grapefruit to lighten and brighten and aloe vera to cool and calm skin. Not over the top price wise especially if you go for the smaller tube to start with and with twice weekly use it will last a long time.
3. Dr Michelle Copeland Microdermabrasion Formula – According to users this is a beautiful product from another renowned skin care physician. This microdermabrasion cream uses a high level of AHA (10%) to give a real boost to the exfoliation process combined with alumimum crystals to slough off the layers of skin. Aloe is used to calm and soothe and antioxidants like Vitamins C and E give an extra anti aging boost.
4. Clinicians Complex Microdermabrasion Cream – Much more reasonable in price and still well reviewed, this cream promises a spa like experience at home. Uses finely ground aluminium oxide crystals as the scrubbing agent – arnica soothes inflammation and cucumber cools skin. Contains vitamin C to tone and tighten. Sounds like it would be good from the formulation.
5. Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub – a keenly priced exfoliating scrub based on microfine aluminium oxide crystals. Renews and polishes the surface of the skin and soothes with peppermint oil. Produces ‘babysoft’ skin according to one satisfied customer. Not recommended for sensitive skin so best confine use to once a week.
The anti aging effects of microdermabrasion creams will be greatest when you use them with other complimentary anti aging skin care – like face serums – to produce a visible improvement in your skin over time. There’s no need to buy a whole new range of skin care to get great results – unless of courser you want to – just apply the products you are using now. Results will be better because skin is properly primed and dead skin cells have been removed.
Whatever you choose – Follow the instructions carefully and give your skin a few weeks to see results and get used to the product. If it doesn’t work for you or you get an adverse reaction then move on and try another approach.
Of the five microdermabrasion creams listed here I would definitely buy the ReVive Microdermabrasion Renewal System or Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Cream. I’ve used both and I know how good they are. But any of these creams should give you good results depending on what you want to spend.
Whatever you go for putting a regular home microdermabrasion treatment at the heart of your skin care regimen is a great idea for younger looking skin.
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