Exfoliation is an often underestimated part of skincare and beauty routines. It is the process of removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores, decrease cell regeneration, and increase oil, acne, and breakouts. A professional facial and other beauty treatments will exfoliate your skin, but exfoliation must be part of your weekly at-home beauty routine.
Doesn’t My Skin Self-Exfoliate?
Yes, our head to toe skin naturally self-exfoliates, but this process slows down as we age. This can leave your skin looking dull, rough, and dry. The ongoing build-up of dead skin can lead to excess oil, clogged pores, acne, and premature aging. Within weeks of exfoliation, your skin will begin to look brighter and more youthful and feel softer and smoother.
How Often Should I Exfoliate?
If you are new to exfoliation begin with once a week on both your face and your body. If you will be applying a cleansing or moisturizing face mask, always plan your exfoliation before your mask to help your product to deeper penetrate your pores. Gradually work your way up to 2 or 3 times a week, but never more as it will irritate your skin. If your skin is sensitive, once a week may be often enough.
What Type Of Weekly Exfoliator Should I Use?
There are countless products and antiaging beauty tools designed for at-home exfoliation. For your body, a loofa or body scrub are your top two picks. For your face, granular face scrubs and alpha hydroxy acid products (AHA) are your top pick. While granular scrubs are highly effective, you don’t want an abrasive scrub. Sloughing away dead skin is the goal, but you must gently exfoliate, or you can damage your skin.
What Should I Use To Deep Exfoliate My Face?
Not only do you require products designed specifically for the sensitive skin on your face, but the combination of external toxins, makeup, sweat, oil, and skincare products that sit on your face for hours a day requires you to do periodic deep exfoliation. As we mentioned earlier, a facial will deep cleanse and exfoliate, but with a weekly at-home microdermabrasion tool you can do it yourself at home. The Methode Brigitte Kettner microdermabrasion unit is handheld, gentle, and effective. In addition to deep exfoliation, it will even out skin tone, improve tone and texture, minimize scars, and boost natural collagen production.
Here’s to taking a proactive approach to aging with grace! To join the conversation, visit our Instagram or comment below.