Physical exfoliation, sometimes also called manual or mechanical exfoliation, uses friction to scrub away dead skin cells. That’s your typical face scrub. Technically speaking, using a regular cleanser with an exfoliating tool would also be considered physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, relies on certain acids, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), to loosen dead skin cells, while enzymatic exfoliation, considered to be the most gentle option, recruits enzymes from natural sources like papaya or pineapple to find and eliminate dead cells. “Enzymes work by gently ‘eating’ the dead skin cells, leaving the healthy cells alone,” says Chelsea Blackburn, licensed esthetician and founder of Lore Skincare. “If your skin is really sensitive, using an exfoliant with enzymes is a great way to gently remove dead skin cells.” While all face scrubs use physical exfoliants, like beads or particles, some also include acids or enzymes—or both! It’s important to understand the kind of exfoliants you’re using in order to better understand how each affects your skin and what works best …