Gommage

The word “gommage” is somewhat confusing for beauty users: is it a French scrub, or is it the designation of a special peeling product. Questions arise: what is special about it, why is it needed and is it needed at all? Now we will explain everything.

What is gommage

Gommage is one of the types of exfoliation (peeling) of the skin. It has a mild effect and is addressed primarily to owners of sensitive skin, which is easily injured by hard abrasive particles and therefore requires delicate handling.

If we talk about the classic gommage, invented by French cosmetologists back in the last century, then it is a gel with enzymes or acids, which is applied to the face for several minutes, and after drying, it rolls along with impurities and dead cells. Abrasive particles in such gommage are not provided.

Such peeling rolls can now be found in the assortment of Korean manufacturers, who have declared this product almost the last word in cosmetic care, thereby proving that everything new is a well-forgotten old.

Initially, gommage was called a peeling roll. © Lancome

The creators of modern tools not only forgot the good old gommage (gomme is French for “eraser”, “gum”), but improved it taking into account new technical capabilities and beauty progress.

But the main defining features of gommage – softness, delicacy, the possibility of using for sensitive skin – remained unshakable.

So, what is a new type of gommage?

Composition of gommages

The formula of modern gommage should be based on three pillars.

  • Enzymes and / or acids (in low concentrations) are agents that soften the stratum corneum of the epidermis and help dead cells separate from the surface of the skin.

  • Abrasive particles for mechanical exfoliation and massage. Synthetic or natural, they must be soft and small. The main law of gommage is not to scratch or injure the skin.

  • care components. Most often, these are emollient oils that provide an even softer “rolling” of exfoliating particles.

What is gommage for?

Any exfoliating procedure (peeling, gommage, scrub) frees the skin from a layer of dead cells along with small (invisible) particles of dirt and sebum. Due to the combination of two types of exfoliation (chemical and mechanical), gommage is quite effective despite its softness. In addition, again due to the delicacy, it can be used more often than standard scrubs.

Gommage combines two types of exfoliation. © Healthy-Food

As a result of regular use of gommages:

  • the skin becomes smoother, radiant, even;

  • thanks to the massage, its tone improves;

  • the effectiveness of subsequent care is increased;

  • additional ingredients soften and moisturize the skin.

Gommages can be used 2-3 times a week all year round, but it is important to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation, especially during periods of increased solar activity.

What is the difference between gommage and scrub

In modern beauty realities, gommage and scrub have become more related products than before, since in both cases we are dealing with mechanical exfoliation. But!

  • Abrasive particles in the scrub can be quite large, hard (ground apricot kernels, diatomaceous earth, sugar, etc.), which is not bad at all for owners of dense, porous skin, but not suitable for sensitive and dry.

  • Gommage has softer abrasive particles (often rounded polymer, wax, etc.), smaller ones.

  • Scrubs are often targeted at oily skin. with a tendency to form black dots.

  • Gommages are universal and can be used for intensive cleansing and exfoliation of delicate, thin, sensitive, as well as aging skin.

Types of gommages

The goal of any gommage is to gently and effectively exfoliate dead skin cells. Gommages can vary in texture, composition, material from which the abrasive particles are made, and additional ingredients. It all depends on the goals and capabilities of the manufacturer.

Gommage can contain a variety of ingredients, such as rose water. © Lancome

Texture

  • Cream – a convenient format for the inclusion of any ingredients: acids and enzymes, hydrators and oils.

  • gel-like gommages can have a warming effect, usually contain plant extracts and flower water to soften the skin.

  • Oil allows you to combine intensive exfoliation with softening and nourishing the skin.

Application area

Face

Just like a scrub or an exfoliating mask, gommage is a product for additional facial care.

Body

Body gommage is a non-aggressive scrub. At the same time, it can be called both gommage (French version) and scrub. In any case, a soft body scrub is a useful thing in a beauty arsenal. After all, the body needs exfoliation just like the face.

How to use facial gommage

Like scrubs, they are applied to a clean and damp face. And then you need to act like this:

  1. wait 1-3 minutes;

  2. massage the face with soft circular movements from the center to the periphery, rolling exfoliating particles over the skin;

  3. wash off with plenty of water.

Features of using gommage for the body

Based on the fact that body gommage is essentially a scrub, this product should be used accordingly. How to do it correctly is described in detail in our articles.

Top 7 Gentle Skin Exfoliators

In our selection you will find gommages and scrubs for comfortable and thorough skin exfoliation.

Gommage exfoliant with sugar particles and rose water Rose Sugar Scrub, Lancôme

A great example of a new generation of gommages: a soft abrasive, which is melting sugar granules, is responsible for exfoliating and cleansing the skin. The formula is enriched with rose water and honey. The gel texture warms up slightly on the skin, which contributes to a deeper effect of the active ingredients. Users are delighted, we join.

Facial scrub with pineapple extract, papain, sesame seed oil and apricot kernel powder Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, Kiehl’s

Don’t let the name of the product fool you – this creamy scrub is by all accounts gommage. The skin is freed from dead cells due to the joint work of fruit extracts and the finest powder from apricot kernels. Sesame oil is responsible for the softening effect.

Soft scrub, La Roche-Posay

This product deserves the right to be included in our rating, even if it does not contain an acid-enzyme component. An important distinguishing feature of gommages is their delicate effect. Dedicated to sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay contains very fine abrasive particles and fulfills this requirement.

Sugar face scrub, nourishing, softening, L’Oréal Paris

This nourishing scrub is so gentle that it can also be used on the lips. Three types of sugar and cocoa grains are responsible for exfoliation, while cocoa butter and coconut oil soften the skin. As a result, the exfoliation procedure goes “like clockwork”. Apply to dry skin!

Sugar scrub for face and lips, invigorating, three natural sugars and coffee, L’Oréal Paris

Another gentle sugar scrub that exfoliates with three sugars and ground coffee beans is a great way to combat dullness and signs of fatigue.

Cleansing and brightening facial scrub “Apricot” for all skin types, Garnier

Not only effective, but also a pleasant way to rid the skin of dead cells: this appetizing blend has a thick yet delicate texture with the addition of fine abrasive particles (apricot kernel, perlite), and the formula combines salicylic and citric acids with organic apricot oil.

Body scrub “Precious Beauty Scrub”, nourishing, Garnier

The nourishing formula is enriched with oils (rose, macadamia, argan, almond) and moisturizing ingredients, and the texture includes small exfoliating particles that gently polish the skin.

Safety measures

Gommage or scrub are the usual means of a beauty routine. They are usually used once a week. With oily skin, you can do this a little more often, with very dry skin – less often. Do not forget to test the product for individual tolerance – before use, apply it on the skin of the wrist and make sure that there is no allergic reaction.

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