‘Beauty is pain’ is a popular saying among ladies, meaning that having flawless skin requires a lot of effort and dedication to stay consistent.
As much as other skincare routine are necessary, exfoliation is one of the most important part of skincare routine
Dead skin cells are effectively removed through exfoliation to reveal younger, more vibrant layers underneath.
While new skin cells are being formed below the surface, our bodies sweep away dead skin cells; this process is known as cell turnover.
Your age affects the rate of cell turnover; for newborns, that smooth, ‘baby soft’ skin will renew itself every 14 days, around every 27 days for youths, and between 28 and 42 days for adults.
Read on as I share information on the benefits of skin exfoliation and its types.
Why Exfoliation Is So Important
Our skin is protected by a dead top layer of skin that protects the living cells beneath it.
It accomplishes this by acting as a barrier to keep the environment and the skin’s lower layers safe.
Without this crucial layer, your skin would be vulnerable to a wide range of problems, such as exposure to pollutants and water loss through the pores.
This layer shields against bacteria and toxins while preventing water loss and absorption.
That crucial layer of skin sheds every few weeks to make way for new, healthy cells.
Compared to elderly adults, who suffer a slowed rate of cell turnover, young adults have skin that is inherently plumper and more youthful.
No matter your age, exfoliation can help boost the cell turnover process and give you radiant and youthful skin.
Additionally, it aids in removing any potential buildup of dead skin cells in the pores that can cause outbreaks.
The Types of Exfoliations
Mechanical or Manual Exfoliation
Most people are familiar with this method of skin exfoliation, which includes manually removing dead skin cells using textured materials like scrubs, towels, or sponges.
Microdermabrasion and dermaplaning also fall into this category; although wonderful, scrubs and polishes may be too abrasive for sensitive skin.
Manual exfoliants, on the other hand, are effective at removing dead skin cells from the oily skin’s surface without over-drying it.
Enzymatic Exfoliation
These enzymes, which are sourced from fruits like papaya and pineapple, function by delicately liquefying dead skin cells.
Given that it is not abrasive, this kind of exfoliation is the best exfoliator for sensitive skin types.
Chemical Exfoliation
Do not be scared by the word ‘chemical’; chemical exfoliation uses mild fruit acids to gently dissolve and break up dead skin cells.
Acid exfoliants work best on oily, acne-prone, and sun-damaged skin that needs to be repaired.
They also target clogged pores and penetrate deeply to eliminate bacteria that cause acne in the hair follicles.
There are two types of acid exfoliants, namely, AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids).
AHAs work as the best exfoliators for dry skin because they aid in dissolving the ‘glue’ that holds skin together.
The result is noticeably smooth skin that is as soft as baby skin.
AHAs are water-soluble, so they cannot go too far into the pores.
BHAs work better as exfoliators for oily skin types because they are oil-soluble and penetrate deeply into the pores to clear them of old cell buildup.
They are excellent for painful, irritated, and acne-prone skin because of their potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
How to Avoid Over-Exfoliated Skin?
Exfoliation can provide amazing results, which can be thrilling for novices.
However, you don’t want to overdo it or do it too frequently because this can damage your skin’s protective barrier.
Putting you at risk for irritation, inflammation, redness, peeling, and sensitivity to topical creams.
For optimal results, exfoliate the skin once or twice each week.
It’s also a good idea to stick with an exfoliation technique that suits your skin type.
How to Do a Natural Home Exfoliation for Your Skin?
By eliminating old, dead skin cells, exfoliation can reveal the new, healthy skin underneath your skin.
Almost every region of your body, from your lips to your feet, can benefit from at-home skin exfoliation.
Products for Natural Exfoliation
Effective exfoliation creams don’t have to be pricey.
You probably already have a lot of natural products in your kitchen. A list of well-liked natural skin exfoliants is as follows:
- fine sugar
- Ground coffee
- Ground almonds
- Oatmeal
- Fine salt
- Cinnamon
- Baker’s soda
These natural exfoliants can also be used in combination with other common kitchen items.
Examples include:
- Natural oils
- Honey
- Green tea
- Lemon juice
All these natural skin exfoliants work on a physical level and can remove dead skin cells from your skin by gently rubbing or massaging them on the skin.
Face Skin Exfoliation Scrub
Depending on your skin type, you can create a DIY body and face scrub at home using two or more of the products listed above.
Body and Face Exfoliation By Skin Type
It’s crucial to treat your skin gently when mechanically exfoliating.
Make use of your favorite exfoliating tool or use your finger to apply a scrub in tiny, circular motions.
Apply a brush sparingly and with light, short strokes.
After exfoliating for about 30 seconds, rinse with warm—not hot—water.
If your skin has cuts, open sores, or is burned, refrain from exfoliating.
After exfoliating, moisturize your skin.
Dry skin
Exfoliation is crucial for dry or flakes of skin.
Mechanical exfoliation dries out the skin and might cause microtears; avoid using it on dry skin.
AHAs are a superior exfoliant for skin that is dry.
By aiding in the elimination of dead skin cells that are present on the skin’s surface, glycolic acid will encourage a healthy rate of skin turnover.
Apply a moisturizer after exfoliation.
Sensitive skin
Do not scrub or use mechanical exfoliating techniques.
These will not work best for sensitive skin types and will aggravate your skin even more, which might result in redness.
Use a light chemical exfoliant with a soft washcloth as a gentle exfoliator for sensitive skin.
Apply moisturizer after exfoliation
Oily skin
Manual exfoliation and brushing are the best exfoliators for oily skin types.
An extra layer of buildup that could be present on the surface of oily skin can be removed by manual exfoliation.
For optimal results, apply the scrub gently in circular motions and use a moisturizer after exfoliation.
Normal skin
If your skin is in good condition, you can employ any method of exfoliation.
Exfoliation by hand and chemical means are both safe for this type of skin.
You may need to try a few different approaches to see which one works best for your skin type.
Apply moisturizer after exfoliation
Combination skin
For combination skin, mechanical and chemical exfoliation may be required, but never do both on the same day, as this could aggravate the skin.
Apply moisturizer after exfoliation.
Benefits of Exfoliating
Exfoliation has several benefits, such as:
- eliminating dead skin cells.
- enhancing circulation.
- promoting skin shedding, which results in brighter skin
- Improved serum and moisturizer absorption into the skin
Rules of Exfoliation
Rule 1: Select the best skin exfoliator suitable for your skin type.
Everyone has a different type of skin; no two cleansers, moisturizers, or skin exfoliators will have the same results on two different people.
Choose a product that is appropriate for your skin type to reduce irritation and stop breakouts.
If you have oily skin, look for a gel scrub; if you have dry skin, look for a cream scrub.
If you have sensitive skin, look for an exfoliating scrub for sensitive skin—the ones without any microbeads.
Rule 2: Exfoliate at night.
Your skin is most active at night, which is why we place so much emphasis on a nocturnal skincare program.
It strengthens the barrier’s defenses during this time by self-repairing and regenerating.
By exfoliating the skin on your face at night, you’ll not only let your skin breathe but also ensure that the skincare products absorb more effectively.
Rule 3: Apply the right portion and method.
Using a lot of products and vigorously exfoliating your skin won’t change its texture.
Instead, it will erode the layer that serves as protection, leaving it vulnerable to harm.
Apply a pea-sized amount of the product to your wet face and massage it outwardly in a circular motion.
Rule 4: Remember to moisturize.
Your skin may feel tight and dry now that all the oils and dead skin cells have been eliminated.
Grab your go-to moisturizer tub and massage it into your skin until it is fully absorbed.
Your skin will absorb the product more quickly and effectively
Rule 5: Avoid sun exposure on your skin.
Dead skin cells and open pores allow UV rays, pollution, and other environmental stresses to penetrate deeper into the pores and harm the skin.
Consequently, don’t go outside without using sunscreen.
Other Skin Exfoliation News
Glossier solution exfoliating skin perfector
A daily skin exfoliation scrub that refines your skin by gently ‘ungluing’ dull, dead skin and sweeping it away.
It improves the look and feel of your complexion, according to its website.
Paula’s choice skin perfecting 2 BHA liquid exfoliant
Reduces and clears enlarged pores; beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) removes accumulated skin layers.
A quick-absorbing texture that is fluid and light; use twice daily, as advised by its website.
Paula’s choice skin perfecting 2 BHA liquid exfoliant review
A little goes a long way and it doesn’t irritate the skin when used in moderation.
Minimizes the appearance of large pores and smoothes skin texture over time,’ according to a review on byrdie.com.
Smoother, more vibrant skin with No. 7 Total Renewal Microdermabrasion Face Exfoliator
Microcrystals of aluminum oxide smooth, refine, and renew, eliminating dull cells for amazing radiance right away.
Skin tone evens out and becomes softer, silkier to the touch, and more refined after just 4 sessions thanks to enhanced skin cell regeneration that works against fine wrinkles.
It helps to work against the appearance of dark areas, sun-damaged, or blemish-prone skin, according to amazom.com.
CeraVe skin-renewing nightly exfoliating treatment
Developed with dermatologists, this product has an AHA serum with a 5% blend of glycolic acid and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation.
This helps to smooth fine lines, accelerate skin’s surface cell renewal and clear away dead skin cells without causing flaking or redness.
With continued use, skin looks healthier, radiance is improved, and signs of aging such as the appearance of wrinkles, dullness, dark spots, and enlarged pores are reduced, according to its website.
Cerave skin renewing nightly exfoliating treatment reviews
This is now a part of my nighttime skincare regimen. It applies smoothly and feels non-greasy.
According to a user review on Amazon.com, “I like CeraVe products as a whole and would recommend them as the best face exfoliator for sensitive skin.”
Neutrogena skin-perfecting daily liquid exfoliant
It gently exfoliates to even skin tone and texture and reduces the look of pores for a fresh glow, according to its website.
Paula’s choice skin perfecting 2 bha liquid exfoliant stores
Paula’s choice skin-perfecting 2 bha liquid exfoliant is sold in many stores in Lekki, Nigeria
Zo skin health exfoliating cleanser
Exfoliating Cleanser contains Jojoba esters, round biodegradable beads that gently exfoliate away dead skin cells that can clog pores.
It contains salicylic acid, which penetrates deep into pores and clears it to minimize the frequency of breakouts, according to its website.
Zo skin health exfoliating polish
The main component is magnesium crystals, which help exfoliate dead skin cells to create a clear, smooth, and even-toned complexion, according to its website.
Skin exfoliation tool
There is a tool available for every purpose, including getting rid of calluses on your feet and removing peach fuzz and dead skin from the face.
Which range from dry brushes to dermaplaners, can give you supple skin and a radiant shine from head to toe.
Best face exfoliator for mature skin
Be extremely cautious while choosing a skin exfoliant for mature skin.
A face exfoliator for sensitive skin
We tested the best scrubs and exfoliators for sensitive skin, including budget formulas, according to goodhousekeeping.com.
The best face exfoliator for dry skin
For a 3-in-1 cleanser, face exfoliator for dry skin, and hydrator:
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub moisturizes, cleans, and gets rid of dead skin cells, according to USAToday.com.
Best chemical exfoliant for sensitive skin
PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) are excellent for people with sensitive skin.
PHAs penetrate the skin more slowly than AHAs and BHAs.
They are recommended as the best skin exfoliant for sensitive skin because they are significantly milder than AHAs or BHAs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exfoliation of the skin?
Exfoliating is utilizing a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation instrument to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
How do you exfoliate or how to exfoliate your skin or how to exfoliate skin?
Employ gentle, tiny, circular strokes to apply any scrubs or chemical exfoliators you choose.
Use lukewarm, not boiling, water to rinse after about 30 seconds of this.
Make quick, light strokes with a brush or sponge, if you use one.
Which type of exfoliation is best?
Lactic acid (AHA) is a great all-rounder but is a gentler choice of exfoliator for sensitive and mature skin.
In addition to being more moisturizing and detoxifying than glycolic acid, lactic acid also removes dead skin cells from the skin to leave the face smoother and more luminous.
Does exfoliation lighten the skin?
By shedding discolored skin cells and promoting better absorption of skin-lightening products, exfoliation can help lighten the skin.
Your skin seems instantly more radiant after the deep washing. similar to the black skin whitening serum.
Do vitamins C contain exfoliants?
When used consistently on a regular basis, topical vitamin C is a gentle exfoliant that can help lighten brown areas.
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Black Spot Overnight Peel is a fantastic technique to employ vitamin C as an exfoliant and skin brightener while you sleep.
It helps even out skin tone and minimizes the appearance of black spots.
For my face, what kind of exfoliator is best?
Face exfoliators with an AHA base are a great option for those with oily skin.
BHAs provide a mild chemical peel, just like AHAs do. BHAs, of which salicylic acid is the most prevalent variety, are often more successful in treating skin prone to acne.
They are synthetic derivatives derived from aspirin’s parent substance.
What’s the difference between a scrub and an exfoliation?
Over time, using an exfoliant can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles by giving the skin a more equal and smooth surface.
This is due to the fact that an exfoliant penetrates the skin more deeply than a scrub, which only acts on the surface.
An exfoliator does not require washing off, as opposed to a scrub or peeling.
Which exfoliating agent is the strongest?
Alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs, can be quite potent because they can disintegrate an entire skin cell.
Therefore, caution must be used in their formulation, use, and choice.
The activity throughout the skin’s surface is more thorough the greater the AHA concentration in your formula.
Which exfoliants should you stay away from?
Avoid using abrasive or aggressive exfoliants.
Steer clear of exfoliants that have big, sharp particles since they can rip tiny tears in your skin.
To reduce the chance of irritation, choose gently exfoliating substances or finely crushed products.
Don’t overlook using sunscreen:
Your skin may be more susceptible to UV damage after exfoliating.
Disclaimer
This information is not meant to replace medical care from a licensed healthcare or beauty expert; rather, it is meant for educational and self-awareness purposes.
