Desire radiant, fabulously flawless skin? It’s time to buff away those dead skin cells. Exfoliation is an indispensable step in your skincare routine, cleansing not just at the surface level but deeper within your epidermis. Helping get rid of dirt, grime, and impurities and unclogging your pores, exfoliation—up to twice every week—leaves you with even-toned, smooth, and supple skin. Read on, for we elucidate the myriad reasons you should exfoliate, the different types of exfoliators, the don’ts of exfoliation, and more.
Types of Exfoliators: Physical vs. Chemical
There are primarily two types of exfoliators that have the same purpose but go about achieving the desired result in different ways.
- Physical Exfoliators: Physical exfoliators refer to scrub agents that can be applied directly to the skin to remove dead cells and impurities. While some physical exfoliators contain harsher abrasives such as sugar or salt, others comprise synthetic microbeads and fine seed powers that lend gentle exfoliation. If you possess sensitive skin, reach out for milder body scrub, as the harsher variants may cause micro-tears and strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to skin irritation and dryness.
- Chemical Exfoliators: Chemical exfoliators, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), loosen the bonds between dead skin cells via acids and enzymes, making them easier to slough away. The most common AHA is glycolic acid, while the most common BHA is salicylic acid, ideal for acne-prone skin—owing to its ability to penetrate deep within your skin.
Your Ultimate Guide To Exfoliation For Every Skin Type
Stick to exfoliating not more than twice a week to avoid micro-tears, over-drying, and disruption of your skin’s barrier. If you’re going for a physical exfoliant, massage a dollop of the scrub onto damp skin in gentle, circular motions. Rinse off with lukewarm water after a few seconds. Alternatively, if you’re using a chemical exfoliant, just apply a couple of pumps onto clean, dry skin. You may also want to use an occasional exfoliant peel that can be rinsed off after a few minutes. Post exfoliation, remember to slather on a generous layer of moisturiser and sunscreen to combat photoaging and over-drying of the skin.
- Oily Skin: Oily skin types can benefit from physical exfoliators as well as BHAs that’ll deeply cleanse your skin and banish dirt and impurities, avoiding further breakouts.
- Dry Skin: AHAs are recommended for those of you with dry skin, as physical exfoliators may end up being too harsh on the skin, causing micro-tears and flaking.
- Sensitive Skin: Steer clear of physical exfoliators as they may irritate your skin, causing redness and inflammation. Turn to mild exfoliators and apply it gently with a washcloth.
- Combination Skin: Combination skin types may benefit from a mix of chemical and physical exfoliation.
Important Tips To Keep in Mind While Exfoliating
- Purchase the Right Products: Consult a doctor before jumping on a scrub regime. A professional will help you understand your skin concerns and curate a skincare arsenal keeping in mind your skin tone and texture.
- Apply Products Correctly: If you’re using a chemical scrub, take a coin-sized amount of the product and apply it to your skin with gentle, circular motions. Rinse it off as recommended on the product label, and do not keep it for longer than instructed. Meanwhile, if you’re using a physical exfoliator, rinse off the scrub a few minutes after application.
- Exfoliate in the Morning: It is recommended that you scrub in the morning using clean fingertips since your skin repairs itself at night.
- Follow Up With Moisturizer: Be sure to slather on a generous amount of moisturizer after exfoliating to retain hydration, as it may leave your skin dry.
- Apply Some Pressure: While you must exfoliate gently, it is important to apply a certain amount of pressure with your fingertips to ensure that you effectively slough away dead skin cells.
Benefits of Exfoliation
Since scrub isn’t a part of one’s daily skincare routine, it is often skipped altogether—compromising one’s overall skin health. Given that our skin cells renew every single day, it becomes imperative to ensure that these dead cells are drawn away from the surface. If not removed, your skin will appear dull and lifeless, and over time, your pores will get clogged, leading to blackheads and breakouts.
Below, we explore the umpteen benefits of exfoliation:
- Encourages Skin Rejuvenation: By getting rid of dead skin build-up, exfoliators pave the way for refreshed, rejuvenated skin.
- Unclogs Pores: For those of you prone to acne, using an exfoliator is recommended. Doing so can help unclog pores and prevent further breakouts.
- Allows For Deeper Penetration of Products: Scrub gives way to clear, supple skin, which allows for better absorption of moisturizers, serums, and other skincare products.
- Facilitates Blood Circulation: Exfoliating in gentle circular motions also helps promote blood circulation, making your skin appear more radiant, flushed, and firm.
What Happens If You Over-Exfoliate?
You mustn’t scrub more than twice a week, especially if you possess inflammatory acne or rosacea. Over-exfoliation can be harsh on the skin, causing micro-tears that are invisible to the naked eye, excessive dryness, as well as disruption of your skin’s barrier. It may also lead to redness, inflammation, peeling, and skin irritation.
For those just starting out with exfoliation, begin by using a mild exfoliator once or twice a week. Chemical exfoliants should be left on your skin for only as long as the packaging recommends, while physical exfoliators should be washed off within a few minutes of application.
Conclusion
Weekly exfoliation is a must if you wish to drive away grime and impurities, making way for glowing, refreshed skin. Before making a purchase, remember to consult a dermatologist to find a product that is suitable for your skin. For those of you who regularly wear makeup, you will find that exfoliation helps with a more even application of the product. However, bear in mind that a little goes a long way; don’t go overboard with exfoliation as it can cause skin irritation and the disruption of your skin barrier.
