WHY EXFOLIATING YOUR SKIN IS ESSENTIAL
Do you regularly apply a moisturizer or oil, but your skin remains dry, rough, or breaks out? If so, do you exfoliate? If not, this could be the cause of your uneven texture and clogged pores.
Exfoliation is an essential and often underestimated step in a skincare routine. It allows your skin to breathe and maximizes the benefits of other products.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation involves removing dead skin cells, dirt, and debris from the skin's surface while unclogging pores. By deeply cleansing, it helps reveal softer, brighter, and healthier-looking skin, while promoting better absorption of serums, creams, and moisturizers applied afterward. In short, exfoliation improves skin texture, reduces blackheads, and helps prevent breakouts.
Physical Exfoliants vs. Chemical Exfoliants
There are two main types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Understanding these two approaches will help you choose the best exfoliant for your skin type.
Physical exfoliants use abrasive particles to polish the skin's surface. They often contain ground grains (such as olive pits, charcoal, or rice or oat flours) and are recommended for thicker areas of the body (elbows, knees, heels), where more vigorous exfoliation is helpful. This type of exfoliation is particularly effective at removing dead skin cells in more resistant areas of the body.
Chemical exfoliants , on the other hand, use acids (like AHAs and BHAs) to gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells. While they aren't abrasive to the touch, they're extremely effective on the face, where skin is thinner and requires gentle, even exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants help achieve smooth, glowing skin without friction and are ideal for those who are sensitive to physical exfoliants.
Why is exfoliation essential?
- Texture Improvement: By removing dead cells and stimulating cell renewal, exfoliation softens and brightens the skin.
- Breakout Reduction: By unblocking pores, it helps prevent blackheads and pimples.
- Improved product absorption: On exfoliated skin, serums and creams penetrate better, maximizing their effectiveness.
- Ingrown Hair Prevention: Exfoliating before shaving releases hairs beneath the skin, ensuring a closer shave and fewer ingrown hairs.
When to exfoliate?
Exfoliation should always be done after cleansing the skin, but before applying a moisturizer or serum. For normal to combination skin, it is recommended to exfoliate two to three times a week, allowing the skin to breathe between sessions to preserve the skin barrier.
Exfoliate before shaving, an essential ritual.
Exfoliation is just as important for the body as it is for the face, especially before shaving. Exfoliating your legs, underarms, or other shaving areas removes dead skin cells that can trap hair, reducing ingrown hairs and ensuring a smoother, more even shave. It also allows for better post-shave hydration.
How to exfoliate properly.
Exfoliation is most effective when skin is supple and slightly damp, such as in the shower or bath. Warm water helps soften skin, making it easier to remove dead skin cells without applying excessive pressure. After exfoliating, immediately apply moisturizer to skin that is still slightly damp to seal in moisture and prolong the benefits of your treatment.
Be careful not to over-exfoliate.
While beneficial, it's important not to overdo exfoliation. Excessive exfoliation can weaken the skin barrier, causing inflammation, redness, and discoloration. If your skin becomes sensitive or irritated, reduce the frequency or opt for a gentler exfoliant.
Why exfoliation is at the heart of our routine.
Exfoliation is one of the pillars of healthy, glowing skin. It allows all other skincare products to penetrate more effectively and work to their full potential. By incorporating this step into our routine, we significantly improve the texture and appearance of our skin, allowing our face and body to glow naturally.
