Why Should You Exfoliate Every Week?
Did you know your skin undergoes a turnover cycle every 30 days? Whenever this natural process occurs, the outermost layer of your skin sheds off to make way for newer skin, which is usually from the middle layer known as the dermis.
While this process is meant to reoccur by itself every thirty days, sometimes it doesn’t happen or it might be too slow. Hence, this makes old dead skin cells to still remain on the skin. If left alone, that may lead to clogged pores, flaky skin, or dry patches of dead skin.
To prevent these issues, this is where exfoliation comes in. Although exfoliation is recommended for smooth and radiant skin. Overdoing it may trigger issues, such as increased skin sensitivity, redness, etc. If you wish to understand exfoliation to its fullest and how it affects your skin, kindly grab a bite, and let’s take on this ride. Let’s go!
What is Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface using chemical or physical exfoliators. Aside from that, this process can also be instrumental in improving dull skin, increasing blood circulation, smoothing rough texture, and enhancing the skin's appearance.
Different methods or tools can be employed to exfoliate the skin. For instance, facial scrubs, sponges, or brushes are used in physical exfoliation, while peels and acids are utilized in chemical exfoliation.
To effectively practice exfoliation, knowledge of your specific skin type is very much needed, so you don’t irritate your skin. Having known that, let’s move over to types of exfoliators and how they affect various skin types.
Physical Exfoliation
Physical or mechanical exfoliation uses tools, such as brushes or scrubs to manually slough dead cells from the skin’s surface. This method essentially involves scrubbing. But it’s highly advised never to scrub too hard so you don’t strip your skin of its natural oil or trigger skin irritation.
When using this method, it’s good to take your skin type, thickness, and level of sensitivity into consideration. For instance, physical exfoliation is not recommended for dry skin and sensitive skin since it might lead to microtears for dry skin and irritation on sensitive skin.
Other tools under this method include gloves and sponges. Use gloves if you are finding it hard to grip your brush or sponges properly. When using scrubs, damp your skin with warm water and apply the scrub in circular motions.
Chemical Exfoliation
This method of exfoliation uses chemicals to break down the surface skin cells. Unlike the physical method, chemical exfoliation doesn’t involve scrubbing. The exfoliants used can also enter the skin to deliver benefits like increased collagen production.
However, if done incorrectly, chemical exfoliation can irritate the skin. This is why you need to get in touch with us if you are not sure how to incorporate it into your routine. The acids used in chemical exfoliation are majorly divided into two:
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Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
These acids get rid of dead skin cells by breaking the bonds that hold them to the surface of the skin. Once this is done, the skin will naturally shed the dry, dead cells. Examples of AHAs include Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acids, etc. If you are looking to explore one, kindly check out our Glycolic Acid.
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Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs)
These types of chemical exfoliants are mostly recommended for acne-prone skin. A major example of BHAs is salicylic acid which is found in most acne products.
Typically, the number of times one should exfoliate usually depends on their specific skin type and the tolerance level. On a general basis, it’s best to exfoliate at least once or twice a week. For oily skin, you may exfoliate up to three times a week.
You may exfoliate any time of the day you prefer. Some people prefer exfoliating at night to get rid of impurities or dead skin from the day, while others may prefer morning to refresh their skin properly for the day.
When exfoliating, cleansing before and after the process is recommended. If you are using a scrub, gently apply it in a circular motion. If you are using a brush or sponge, ensure you scrub gently. After exfoliating, rinse with warm water and then, apply a moisturizer. Like our Hyaluronic Moisturizer.
Kindly avoid physical exfoliation if you have dry or sensitive skin. Oily skin benefits more from scrubbing or BHAs to remove dead skin cells or sebum buildups. Both physical and chemical exfoliation can work for normal and combination skin.
We recommend our Peeling Gommage, Glycolic Acid, etc. These products can be found in our store. They are designed to help you get rid of dead skin cells for smooth skin and improved appearance.
Wrapping Up
While exfoliation is recommended for maintaining smooth and youthful skin, overdoing it or using the wrong exfoliators may also affect the skin negatively. This is why it’s best to seek professional guidance from a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. Also, always avoid open wounds, cuts, or sunburnt areas when exfoliating. If it’s morning, endeavor to apply sunblock after the process to protect your skin from damaging free radicals.
If you require professional guidance, don’t forget our team of certified skincare professionals is always on standby ready to assist you. All you need is to click on the button below to get in touch with us immediately.
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