What does it mean?
Exfoliation is the act of removing the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.
What are the benefits?
As you exfoliate, you are encouraging cell turnover and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. Masques, serums, and moisturizers will be able to penetrate deeper into the skin to be more affective. Exfoliation can prevent and treat clogged pores, fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Exfoliation is crucial on areas of the body where shaving and waxing occur to prevent dry and dead skin from clogging follicles that can lead to ingrown hairs.
Without exfoliation –
When proper exfoliation is not taking place, several things can occur. Your skin will have a dull, dry, or scaly feel and appearance as the dead cells are forming a barrier or “crust” on top of the skin that is holding in the toxins, while also preventing products from penetrating the new skin underneath. These dead cells will also clog the pores of the skin leading to blackheads and breakouts.
What areas should you be exfoliating?
In a word, ALL. Your face (including lips), feet, hands, and body all need to be exfoliated. Make sure you are using a product suitable for each part. You must be extremely careful while exfoliating the eye area as this area is more sensitive and the skin is thinner. A product specifically made for the eye area is recommended.
What are the different types of exfoliation?
While there are a million different products available, they will all fall into one of two categories- chemical and mechanical.
Chemical Exfoliators – these are known as “peels”. They are special acids and enzymes that are applied topically to the skin. After the peel is applied, the enzymes go to work like little Pac-Man eating the dead cells and impurities in the pores. Peels can be beneficial in reducing acne scarring, uneven tone, wrinkles, and reduces the effects of sun damage. Peels containing high levels of acids are done in the dermatologist/plastic surgeon/med spa environment and you will experience a few days of downtime as your skin will physically be peeling off! Fear not my natural friends! There are organic peels made from fruit and vegetable enzymes that will benefit the skin without leave you looking like a monster and zero downtime. https://theholisticskin.com/natural-enzyme-peels-vs-medical-grade-chemical-peels-healing-vs-harming/
Mechanical Exfoliators– these are what are known as “scrubs”. These products are gritty in texture and are manipulated across the skin to mechanically slough off the dead skin and reveal the fresh skin underneath. Typically, these are based with sugar, salt, nut shells, sand, and other materials to buff the skin. While not as risky as the chemical exfoliators, you still must exercise some caution with the mechanical variety as you never want to scrub your skin with anything too aggressive. Your skin should feel fresh and healthy after exfoliation. If your skin feels raw and irritated after exfoliation then you are using a product or method too harsh for your skin.
How Often Should I be Exfoliating?
It depends upon the method. Chemical peels can be administered monthly, while mechanical exfoliation needs to occur 2-3 times per week.
Recommended Methods
Sugar scrubs – These are mechanical exfoliators with sugar as the main scrub ingredient. These are mixed with oils to slough off the dead skin while conditioning the newer skin underneath. Recommended for the lips, arms, legs, bikini area, feet, and hands.
Salt scrubs– A coarser form of mechanical exfoliation that is salt based with oils added. Too exfoliating for sensitive areas or skin types, they should be limited to the arms, legs, back and feet.
Enzyme peels– Should be administered by a licensed skin care professional in a spa setting. If left on too long, or not properly neutralized, can eat through the dead skin and into the new skin! Different strengths are available for each skin type and condition.
Loofah– natural exfoliation product used for mechanical exfoliation to the body. Loofahs or “luffa” is a vine plant in the cucumber family. Loofahs should be thrown out and replaced regularly as they will grow mold and bacteria if left in the humidity of the shower.
Back brush– Just what it sounds like. The back can be one of the hardest places on the body to exfoliate as it is the most difficult to reach. A back brush is a handheld rod with a brush that will effectively slough off the dead skin of the back area. Especially beneficial in preventing and controlling breakouts on the back. Just as with the loofah, back brushes must be thrown out and replaced regularly as they can host mold and bacteria.
Dry brushing– an effective form of exfoliation that occurs with a dry, natural fiber body brush on dry skin. Other health benefits of dry brushing are improved circulation and lymphatic stimulation. https://theholisticskin.com/5-reasons-you-should-be-dry-brushing/
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