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From using antioxidants to laser skin resurfacing, there are a number of ways to get healthy, smooth, glowing skin we all desire for. Exfoliation is one of the best ways to enhance your skin’s tone and texture. It is something we can all do at home. However, many people do not do it the right way. They either exfoliate too often or use the wrong way for your specific skin type. Keep reading to find out how to exfoliate properly from head to toe.
What is Exfoliation?
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer using an exfoliant. An exfoliant can be either chemical or natural. There are two ways to exfoliate physically. One involves removing and displacing the dead skin cell using a skincare tool like brush, sponge, or towel. The other method to exfoliate is by using a skincare product like gel, liquid or scrub with granules to refine and smoothen the skin. On the other hand, chemical exfoliant includes enzymes, hydroxy acids, or beta hydroxy acids. They remove the dead skin by loosening up the glue-like substance that holds the dead skin cells together.
Why Exfoliating Your Skin is Necessary?
Our skin constantly repairs itself, replacing old skin cells with the new ones. Due to this natural process, you develop layers of dead skin cells all over your body which need to be removed to bring up the fresh skin cells. Exfoliating helps you get rid of those leftover skin cells bringing out the brighter, healthier skin right after that.
In addition to making your brighter, exfoliation regularly improves the health of the skin. Removing the dead skin cells will allow the skincare products to penetrate into the skin better. The topical skincare products can sink in and do their work deeply.
Exfoliation can also help treat acne. It clears out clogged pores that result in breakouts. Also, it can clear out acne scars quicker than any other method by increasing skin cell turnover and accelerating collagen production.
How to Exfoliate Your Face?
For a physical exfoliant, first off, wash your face with a regular cleanser. Then, apply a coin-size amount of face scrub onto your face in circular motions. Avoid getting to close to the eyes. Keep massaging the product gently for as long as the product recommends. It is usually a minute or two. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water and gently dab your skin with a clean towel. Follow up with your serum, hydrating mask or cream.
For a chemical exfoliant, begin with washing your face with a regular cleanser. Apply your chemical exfoliant all over your face, neck, décolleté and the backside of your hands. Wait for a few minutes so that it gets completely absorbed into the skin. Then, apply your favourite serum or cream. Follow the same procedure for the exfoliants that come in gels or serums. Some chemical exfoliants are similar to mask. They need to be rinsed off after a couple of minutes. Also, do read the instructions on the label to make sure you use in the correct way.
How often should you exfoliate?
You should exfoliate your face only once or twice a week. Doing it too often or too hard can damage your skin’s surface by causing micro-tears or stripping the protective layer of your skin.
Ask your skin care professional before using an exfoliant, especially if you have a skin condition like inflammatory acne or rosacea.
How to Exfoliate Feet?
The bottoms of our feet are the roughest spots on the body. They need a little more care and attention when it comes to exfoliating. If you have experience with pedicure before, you would probably be well aware that physical exfoliation like files, scrubs and stones are an effective way to smoothen rough heels.
Chemical exfoliants can also be beneficial for exfoliating feet. Exfoliating socks are powered by chemical exfoliating and they work perfectly. Soak your feet for about an hour and let it absorb the malic, glycolic and lactic acids. Your feet will shed a layer of dead skin cell in a couple of days, revealing baby-soft feet.
