Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is one of the most modern skin-care techniques. It is increasing seen as an effective alternative facial peels. The handpiece emits crystals onto the surface of the skin to buff away the surface layer, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed giving the skin an overall fresh, healthy-looking glow. It is effective on all skin colors and types with virtually no side-effects.

Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the layer closest to the outside world. It’s a set of dead skin cells on top of another layer of cells that are in the process of maturing. The topmost layer is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum mostly acts as a barrier between the outside world and the lower skin layers. It keeps all but the smallest molecules from getting through.

All of the action in microdermabrasion takes place at the level of the stratum corneum. Since it only really targets the epidermis (and not the dermis), it is more accurate than any cream based products, affecting deeper layers of skin would be painful and harmful, and it would risk permanently embedding the tiny grains into the skin. so this is seen as a gentle way of exfoliating the skin