Exfoliation involves the removal of dead skin cells from the skins outermost surface. This removal process improves the skins texture, promotes healthy cellular turnover, clears the way for bacteria and trapped debris, and allows products to penetrate much deeper. Here are a few tips to help make sure you’re exfoliating properly so you can be on your way to glowing skin!
- Exfoliate with a scrub once a week for dry skin and up to twice a week for oily skin. Use circular motions to work the product in for one minute, then rinse with warm water. *mix a little scrub with your cleanser for a little 2-in-1*
- If you happen to be out of scrub, use a wash cloth or facial brush which will provide gentle exfoliation.
- Avoid exfoliating if you are using any kind of retinol products, AHAs, BHAs, and/or oral acne medication. There products act as an exfoliant already. Using both can cause severe skin irritations, which we want to completely avoid. It’s best to speak with your dermatologist or esthetician before using an exfoliator at home.
- Choose your exfoliating scrub carefully. Scrubs containing shells, pits, certain seeds, or larger particles can leave tiny scratches and abrasions on the skin leaving it open to breakouts and infections.
- Don’t over exfoliate or scrub too rough. This can cause redness, irritations, excessive dryness, uncomfortable stinging and burning sensations. Over exfoliation can also lead to hyper pigmentation, an impaired barrier functions and the over production of sebum.
- Try professional chemical exfoliation. These are done in salon as part of your facial. They are done with either an enzyme or glycolic peel. These rapid exfoliators are great for giving your skin an extra boost, the smaller molecules go deeper into the skin providing you benefits on a cellular level. They treat an array of skin conditions and are easier to tailor to your needs.
