Exfoliation

What It Means to Exfoliate.

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical or granulated substance.

Why You Should Exfoliate.

Your skin naturally sheds dead  cells to make room for new cells every 30 days.

Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores.

How does exfoliation benefit your skin?

Exfoliating can improve the appearance of your skin in several ways.

According to experts, exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter and improve the effectiveness of skin care products by enhancing absorption.

Regular exfoliation can also help prevent clogged pores, thereby reducing breakouts.

Long-term exfoliation can increase collagen production. Collagen is key to glowing, vibrant skin. The protein also promotes skin elasticity, gradually diminishes the appearance of fine lines and related sagging.

How to Go About It.

The easiest and cheapest Exfoliating Method is the physical exfoliation.

You may be familiar with using a physical exfoliant such as cleansing scrubs, body brushes, and loofahs.

 You can get this done at home with a do-it-yourself (DIY) scrub. The best part of this is that, it also offers immediate results.

If performed incorrectly, physical exfoliation can sometimes irritate your skin and may result in Trans-epidermal Water Loss(TEWL). Following up with a Humectant oil or serum can help minimize irritation and lock in moisture.

DIY Scrubs

Below are few abrasive materials to choose from for manual exfoliation:

cleansing scrubs

dry brushes

exfoliating mitts

pumice stones

loofahs

 micro derma rollers

DIY scrubs

You'll find most of the ingredients needed to make an effective DIY scrub in your kitchen.

For example, sugar and milk contain acids that can help exfoliate your skin. Coffee has protective antioxidant properties and promote collagen production. Research also shows that honey can aid in wound healing.

Want to try it out? Here are two easy DIY scrub recipes for your face and body.

Coffee Facial Scrub

What you’ll need:

½ cup of grounded coffee 

1 cup of brown sugar

2 tsp. of  milk

1 tsp. of  honey

Method 1:

Add all ingredients to an airtight container and stir well.

Gently splash your face with water

Spread the mixed ingredients over your face and neck, avoiding your eyes.

Wet your hands and begin rubbing the mixture gently into your skin in a circular motion, continue for 3-4 minutes.

Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Store any remaining scrub in the fridge.

Brown sugar body scrub

What you’ll need:

½ cup of coconut oil

¼ cup of honey

½ cup of brown sugar

3 tbsp. of grounded oatmeal

Method 2:

Stir the coconut oil and honey together .

Add brown sugar and oatmeal. Stir until you’re left with a thick paste.

wet your skin with water, gently rub the mixture on your body.

Rinse and pat dry.

Exfoliating Soaps may also help, for people that wont have time to go through the stress of scrubbing.

Over the Counter Scrubs

There are several over-the-counter exfoliants. There are scrubs for your face, body, and feet. You can also find options for different skin types.

Please keep these notes in mind when selecting a product:

You should never use a scrub meant for your body on your face. Body scrubs are generally harsher and may tear delicate facial tissue.

Use one product at a time. Although it may be tempting to buy a full set of a products, you shouldn’t use more than one exfoliant at a time. Using multiple exfoliating products on the same area of skin can damage the skin and result in unwanted side effects.

Switch products out. You may need to cycle through different products as your skin care needs change. For example: If your skin has become oily, consider using a product with charcoal

When should I Exfoliate?

This depends on your personal preference and your daily routine.

For example, if you find your skin looks dull in the morning, exfoliating before you start your day may be beneficial. On the other hand, exfoliating at night can help remove any lingering makeup or other debris.

If you use a medicated product for a skin condition, you should space out the time between that product and exfoliating.

Avoid exfoliating if you have cuts or open sores on your skin.

How Often Should I Exfoliate?

If you have oily skin, you can exfoliate as often as needed. This may be daily, every other day, or less frequent.

For all other skin types, you should limit at-home exfoliating to once or twice a week, including exfoliating soaps.

What Do I Do If I Have A Bad Reaction?

If possible, wash the offending product from your skin using room temperature water and mild cleanser.

You should avoid using makeup or other products on the area until the irritation clears.

                                

                                                                                                            Latayna