In the beauty world, exfoliation is one of those buzzy words that gets thrown around a lot. But if you’re not familiar with it, exfoliation is simply the process of removing dead skin cells from your face and body. It’s an easy way to reveal fresh new skin, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood skin care practices out there, and using it regularly could change your life.
Most people who exfoliate do it once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. This can be done with a physical exfoliant like a scrub cleanser, or you can use an enzyme peel to remove dead skin cells. If you do it more frequently, you may experience irritation and breakouts as well. Excessive exfoliation can cause premature aging which is the opposite effect that most people want.
Gentle exfoliation is powerful when you want to improve the look of your pores and minimize and reduce blemishes. As you remove dead skin cells from your face and body, your skin emerges brighter, and softer, and you’ll notice fewer blemishes as you use quality exfoliating products.
As dead skin cells build up on your face and body, it begins to look dry and dull. By removing this layer of dead cells, you even out your complexion as new healthy cells emerge. Your skin is made up of two layers, the epidermis which is the top layer, and the dermis which is on the bottom.
The epidermis contains melanocytes, which produce skin pigment, and also hair follicles, sebaceous glands, nerve endings, and more. It’s important for this layer to stay intact because if it gets damaged by something like UV radiation from sun exposure or just aging itself over time then it can lead to wrinkles, blemishes, and discoloration due to pigmentation changes in the melanocytes.
Exfoliating your body can help prevent ingrown hairs from forming in places like your legs, armpits, and bikini zone. If you have sensitive skin, exfoliation could be a good way for you to get rid of unsightly hair without irritating your skin or causing breakouts.
Exfoliating can help reduce acne because it cleans out clogged pores that may lead to blemishes and blackheads. The scrubbing action of a good exfoliator can remove dirt, debris, makeup, and other particles that can lead to infections and unsightly bumps on your face and the rest of your body.
Do you need an easy way to get better circulation? Improve the blood flow to your arms, legs, and torso when you exfoliate regularly. Exfoliation is also said to improve circulation—which means that any area where blood flow has been sluggish will improve in appearance as well as health when exfoliated.
That unsightly, bumpy skin is something that many people want to limit and minimize. Cellulite is natural and normal but can leave many people feeling self-conscious. Regular exfoliation is one way to help improve the appearance of cellulite under the skin. Because it smooths out skin and improves circulation, your skin will look and feel better in those spots and help you in turn feel better in your body.
If you’re new to exfoliating, start with a mild physical exfoliant like a washcloth or body brush. Be sure to rinse it off thoroughly after you use it so that all of the dead skin is removed and doesn’t clog your pores. Use a sugar scrub with small particles if you have dryer skin. The sugar helps to moisturize your body.
It’s important to remember that exfoliation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your skin is especially sensitive or prone to breakouts, be gentle, and try a washcloth to get started. Opt for sugar scrubs and salt scrubs if your skin can tolerate those options. When you want to improve the overall look of your skin, reduce cellulite, improve circulation, and reduce your breakouts, exfoliating once or twice a week on your face and whole body can change your life.