Exfoliating is an important part of caring for your skin. Everyone wants skin that shines and looks healthy, but we rarely pay attention to the signs it gives us. Every 27 days, our skin cells turn over, but as we age, this process slows down, and a layer of dead skin cells builds up on the surface of our skin.
In addition to forming a layer of dead skin cells, natural oils, debris, pollution, makeup traces, and sunscreen residue can do the same, leaving our skin looking dull and dry. This serves as a wake-up call for our skin, prompting the need for exfoliation. It revitalizes the skin and helps even out the skin tone, both of which will make you feel and look better.
This article will cover why exfoliation is so important, the best way to do it for different skin types, and when to do it for maximum effect.
What Is Exfoliation?
In the context of skincare, exfoliation refers to eliminating dry, flaky skin.
Physical exfoliants, such as scrubs and brushes, and chemical exfoliants, which may contain acidic chemicals like glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), can be used to get rid of dead skin.
Why Should I Exfoliate?
Since our skin continuously renews itself, dead skin eventually accumulates on its surface.
Exfoliation serves two purposes: It prevents the formation of comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) and gives the illusion of glowing skin or renewed skin by removing dullness. This is why the complexion instantly looks brighter and fresher after a good scrub.
This illusion is caused by desquamation, a natural process in which dead skin cells are pushed to the skin's surface, eventually falling off, revealing younger, healthier skin underneath.
The problem is that our skin's desquamation abilities decline significantly with age. The result is that your skin doesn't look as bright and healthy as it did when you were a teenager.
In simpler terms, exfoliating your skin can be beneficial for several reasons It can help get rid of the dead skin on the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and other and looking healthier.
● Exfoliating can also help unclog pores, reducing the likelihood of developing acne and other types of blemishes.
● It can also stimulate blood flow to the skin, improving its overall appearance.
● Additionally, exfoliating can help to improve the effectiveness of other skincare products by allowing them to penetrate the skin more easily.
Overall, exfoliating can be a good way to keep your skin healthy and looking good.
So, let's talk about methods of exfoliation.
How Do I Exfoliate?
There are several ways to exfoliate your skin, and the method you choose will depend on your preferences and the type of exfoliator you are using. Here are a few different options:
Physical/Mechanical exfoliants: This involves using a textured item like a brush or a product with granules to remove dead skin cells on the surface. These exfoliants contain small particles that you can use to gently scrub away dead skin cells. The amount of pressure or the size of the granules will depend on the type of skin you're exfoliating. For example, For dry skin, our lemon and larch exfoliating mask is a natural way to deeply cleanse and rejuvenate your skin to achieve softer, smoother skin without harsh chemicals.
Face care requires a gentler touch and roughly a tenth of the normal pressure. You could also use a product like our Natural Sisal Exfoliating Cloth in the shower to naturally exfoliate your skin during cleansing. Our konjac Charcoal sponge is also a great option. It has a slightly smoother texture than a washcloth, making it safe for daily use. This sponge cleans and exfoliates the skin, clears out the pores, soothes dry, flaky skin, evens out the skin tone, and brings damaged skin cells back to life.
No matter what method you use to get rid of dead skin cells mechanically, the key to success will be light pressure.
Chemical exfoliants: Another term for this is the ever-popular chemical peels. Chemical agents like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are used in these exfoliants to dissolve dead skin cells and clear up pores. Retin-A, a form of vitamin A used to increase collagen production and help reverse the effects of long-term UV exposure, is probably the most well-known of these treatments. Unfortunately, it is not recommended for super-sensitive skin or pregnant women. It can cause redness, extreme sun sensitivity, dryness, itching, peeling, and burning. But, if you're willing to tough out the side effects, you will likely see some improvement in skin texture over time.
To use a chemical exfoliant, put it on your skin as directed by the product. This is usually done after washing your face and before putting on lotion.
Enzyme exfoliants: These exfoliants contain enzymes that help to break down dead skin cells, making them a good option for people with sensitive skin.
Our Cellular Renewal Enzyme Serum is a powerful yet gentle serum formulated with natural botanical actives, including extracts of organic peach and plum, pumpkin enzymes, and Vigna aconitifolia extract, which stimulate cell renewal and collagen synthesis for a more youthful appearance.
No matter what kind of exfoliator you use, follow the package's directions and start slowly. As your skin gets used to it, you can increase the number of times you use it. It's also important to moisturize after exfoliating to help soothe and hydrate your skin.
When Can I Exfoliate?
The basic answer is not too often! Exfoliating makes your skin feel good and gives you a sense of control over its improvement, so it's easy to overdo it. However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
A few factors, like your skin type and the exfoliant you're using, will determine how often you should exfoliate. If you exfoliate your skin once or twice weekly, you shouldn't have any negative effects.
Suppose your skin is particularly sensitive, exfoliating once every two weeks may be all that's needed. On the other hand, if you have oily or thick skin, you may be able to exfoliate more frequently, up to three times a week.
Also, pay attention to your skin's needs and adjust your exfoliation routine accordingly. If your skin feels dry or irritated after exfoliating, you may want to reduce the frequency of your exfoliation.
In search of some excellent exfoliating choices? Here it is!
