Did you know that the top 18-23 layers of your skin are made up of dead cells?
It’s no wonder that more people are learning ways to get rid of this extra dead skin instead of letting it sit there.
Does your skin look a little lackluster?
Is dry skin building up or peeling?
You should exfoliate your face.
Keep reading to learn what it can do for your complexion.
A Clear Canvas: Why You Should Exfoliate Your Face
No matter what type of skin you have every single type whether dry or oily will benefit from exfoliating. Allowing your dead skin to sit on your face can lead to breakouts and ingrown hairs.
Let’s chat about all the reasons why you should exfoliate your face and get your skin glowing today.
What Is Exfoliating?
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells that are sitting on the outer layer of your skin. For those that choose to exfoliate their skin, it’s important to understand your skin type and how to do it safely.
The last thing you want to do is damage your skin.
Types of Exfoliation
You have two options when exfoliating at home. Mechanical and chemical are your two options and you should choose based on your skin type.
Mechanical exfoliation is when you use either a brush like the ultrasonic skin scrubber or a sponge to physically remove dead skin cells.
Chemical exfoliation is using alpha or beta hydroxy acids to dissolve the dead skin cells.
Benefits of Exfoliating
1. Allows Your Products to Work Better
If you use serums and moisturizers after exfoliating your products will last longer because you’re not putting them on top of dead skin. Instead, your skin is absorbing the products you are putting on and even allowing them to go deeper into the skin.
You will even notice your cleanser lasting longer because you can get away with using less.
2. Natural Glow
When you exfoliate and remove the dead skin sitting on top of the outer layer of the skin it allows your pores to absorb nutrients. In turn, when you do this it increases the oxygen and skin circulation. This gives your skin a natural glow.
3. Slows Down Signs of Aging
When you allow older dead skin cells sit on top of your skin it tends to give the skin the appearance of wrinkles and lines. As you age the process of naturally shedding dead skin slows down.
Exfoliating helps hide the aging process a bit.
4. Smoother Skin
When you take off the dead skin sitting on top it makes the skin softer and smoother. When you bring out the new cells and remove the old ones it also evens out the texture of your skin.
It will not only feel smoother it will be noticeably smoother.
5. Helps Breakouts
When you exfoliate you’re unclogging your pores which is what causes breakouts or pimples. If your pores get clogged with dirt and can’t breathe that’s the beginning stages of breakouts. The key with this is to not overdo the scrubbing causing worst breakouts.
Everything in moderation.
6. Skin Tone
Exfoliating your face will get rid of any extra makeup that your cleanser missed and extra dirt.
Traces of makeup and dirt won’t allow your skin tone to shine and glow. The new skin cells you bring up after you get rid of the extra leftover gunk will make your face glow and reveal a more even skin tone.
What Is Your Skin Type?
Depending on what type of skin you have you want to choose how you exfoliate.
Oily Skin
This skin type is great to exfoliate to cut through the extra oils. Good options for oily skin and both chemical and manual exfoliators.
You can use a scrub that the base is clay to help cut through extra oil on your skin.
Dry Skin
You want to make sure to not strip the little bit of oil that dry skin has by using a mild exfoliant. Dry skin responds well to chemical exfoliators.
After exfoliating dry skin make sure to nourish the skin with moisturizer.
Normal Skin
With this skin type, you can use any type of exfoliator either manual or chemical. Just like any other skin type you don’t want to strip off the natural oils and cause an adverse reaction.
With normal skin, you can exfoliate three times per week or every other day.
Combination Skin
If you have an area of your face that is dry and another one that is oily you have to be careful while you exfoliate. You might want to concentrate on exfoliating the uneven dull areas first.
How to Exfoliate
You can choose to exfoliate either day or night there’s no right or wrong time. If you scrub while you shower this is an easy way to get your exfoliation session in. How often you do it depends on your skin condition and type.
If you ever notice your skin getting too dry or red you want to cut back on how many days per week you exfoliate.
Before you exfoliate you want to cleanse your skin and get rid of any makeup and extra dirt you have before you go deeper.
If you’re using a scrub wet your face with warm water and gently apply the scrub in a circular motion all over your face. If you have a few minutes allow it to sit for a bit and then rinse with cooler water.
If you’re using a chemical exfoliator apply the acid you have to your skin and allow it to sit on the skin for as long as the directions say. If it tingles too much rinse earlier.
Ready to Remove Some Extra Dead Skin?
The best way to reveal a more youthful appearance is to exfoliate your face. Be prepared for a beautiful glow and an even skin tone once you add exfoliation to your skin routine.
Ready for more skin care tips? Check out our skincare section full of great tips.