Exfoliation is a key part of any good skincare routine. It removes dead skin cells, allows other skincare products to penetrate more deeply, and stimulates blood flow, giving your skin a healthy glow. You should be exfoliating both your face and body regularly to keep your skin as smooth and radiant as possible. Here are our 10 best exfoliating tips and products for absolutely glowing skin!
What Does ‘Exfoliating’ Mean?
Exfoliating is when you remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, using a physical or chemical exfoliant. Your skin is constantly shedding skin cells to make way for smoother skin cells to push their way up to the skin’s surface. As you age, your body doesn’t do as good a job shedding dull and dead skin cells, so exfoliating helps speed up your skin’s process and helps it look and feel younger.
Physical exfoliators work against the top layers of the skin to remove dead, sloughing surface cells. These include micro-fine granules and natural beads. Chemical exfoliants are acids that penetrate deep into the skin and break the bonds that hold skin cells together. As the bonds are broken, the top layer of skin sheds to reveal a regenerated complexion.
4 Benefits of Exfoliating Your Skin
1. Deep Cleans Your Pores
When you exfoliate, you wipe away dry skin and other dirt and debris that’s left over after cleansing. This stops it from clogging your pores, which prevents the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. When sebaceous glands produce oil, they get stuck under the dry skin because the dry skin seals the pores. This causes breakouts because there’s nowhere for the oil to go. Regular exfoliation is so important because it prevents this from happening.
2. Helps Other Skin Care Products Work Better
Having unclogged pores that are free of dry and dead skin allows your skincare products to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively. It’s important that serums, moisturizers and growth factors that are rich in nourishing ingredients penetrate as deeply as possible to work their magic on your skin. Dead skin becomes a barrier between your skin and skincare products, so eliminating it is key to a clear complexion.
3. Boosts Circulation
Exfoliation helps stimulate blood flow, which means improved collagen production and more youthful looking skin. Better circulation improves cellular health, giving your skin a radiant glow. It also boosts lymphatic drainage, which is a form of skin detoxification that works to remove toxins and other unhealthy debris.
4. Evens Skin Tone
If you have dark spots, sun spots, hyperpigmentation or acne scars, you need an exfoliant in your life. Exfoliants slough away dead skin while smoothing its overall texture, which makes the skin appear more even and uniform.
3 Exfoliating Tips and Techniques for Beginners
1. Go Easy with Physical Exfoliators
When using physical exfoliators, you should never scrub too hard or too often. Be gentle as vigorous exfoliation can lead to more damage to the skin in the form of burning or breakouts. Reserve intense exfoliation for your nighttime routine as sun can cause damage and irritation to freshly exfoliated skin.
2. How Often
If your skin can handle it, you can exfoliate one to two times per week when you’re starting out and work up to daily exfoliation once your skin can tolerate it. Chemical exfoliants are typically fine to use more regularly, especially if they contain ingredients to calm and moisturize your skin. Physical variations may be too abrasive to use multiple times a week, so once every week or two weeks is suitable.
3. Exfoliate in the Shower
Exfoliating your face and body while you shower is ideal because it’s warm and steamy. The warmth of a shower softens your skin and releases the body’s natural oils while opening your pores. This helps the exfoliation process and the removal of dead skin cells.
3 DIY Exfoliating Scrubs
1. Glow Sugar Scrub | Simple Veganista
This DIY sugar scrub is made with two simple ingredients – sugar and oil, such as almond oil or jojoba oil. You also have the option of using additional ingredients like vitamin E and essential oils. This sugar scrub will remove dead skin cells, lift away dirt and oil and stimulate circulation. The glycolic acid that naturally occurs in sugar will help cleanse the skin and dissolve dead skin cells, revealing your healthiest looking skin.
2. Oatmeal, Honey and Brown Sugar Exfoliating Facial Scrub | Scratch Mommy
This facial scrub will slough away dead skin cells and polish and soften the skin. It will also increase circulation to reveal radiant skin beneath. Oatmeal is an all-natural exfoliator and is naturally soothing. Brown sugar is both hydrating and exfoliating, and raw honey gently cleanses your skin without drying it out. Use Manuka honey for the best results!
3. Coconut Sugar Scrub | Eating by Elaine
This exfoliating sugar scrub takes about two minutes to make and it exfoliates and moisturizes all at once. Made with two simple ingredients – coconut oil and cane sugar – it’s an awesome combination that will hydrate and soften your skin. She also recommends adding citrus zest and essential oils to boost your mood and energy.
4 Store Bought Exfoliating Scrubs
1. Nuria Defend Face Exfoliator
This face exfoliator is infused with lactic acids to exfoliate without damaging your skin’s barrier. It also contains Ginkgo, which cleanses and smooths the skin’s overall texture, revealing a glowy radiance. It renews your skin, minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and the addition of glycerin alleviates dry skin by adding moisture and softness.
2. Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub
This exfoliating and moisturizing scrub can be used on your face and body. Ideal for sensitive skin, it’s softer than typical sugar scrubs, while still being strong enough to scrub away dead skin cells. It acts as a natural exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and moisturizes to reveal fresh, clean skin. Made with fine brown sugar granules, it helps clear pimples and blackheads and reduces the appearance of scars and blemishes.
3. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub
This exfoliating facial scrub reaches deep down to the pores and exfoliates surface skin to remove dirt, oil and makeup. It was designed to invigorate and refresh your skin with an oil-free formula that won’t break you out. Its deep pore cleansing action works to remove debris and oil to invigorate your skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth.
4. First Botany Himalayan Salt Body Scrub with Collagen and Stem Cells
Infused with collagen and stem cells, this Himalayan salt scrub will take your skincare regimen to the next level. You’ll get a boost in natural collagen production to firm and rejuvenate your skin, plus you’ll boost your circulation to keep your skin revived. Infused with ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba oil, you’ll notice an improvement in the texture, tone and appearance of your skin in no time.
Exfoliation is amazing for your skin, clearing your pores, boosting circulation and smoothing your complexion. Make sure to add it to your skincare ritual for the best skin ever!
