Lose That Dead Skin: Exfoliation Secrets, Tips
Dead skin can cause acne and make the skin rough, clog up pores and increase oil gland production. Exfoliation is the best solution to clear your dead skin. However, there are various products and methods to use. When done correctly, exfoliation can leave your skin looking smoother, clearer, brighter and dead cell-free. It is therefore essential to figure out your skin type before beginning this journey.
A skincare expert, Fiona Brackenbury, thinks exfoliation can become addictive as it brings quick and visible results. As much as there is a temptation to overdo the exfoliation, one must remember that dead skin falls off naturally every minute daily therefore no need to exfoliate every day. Exfoliating once or twice a week is enough.
The need to exfoliate
As we age, the skin cell turnover gets much slower, and the dead skin cells pile up quicker, making our complexion dull-looking no matter how much care we give our skin. Impurities, humidity and excess sebum get pores blocked therefore creating the need to exfoliate to remove the layer of dead cells and reveal brighter and healthier skin.
Benefits of exfoliation
- Keeps pores healthy and clean: eliminating dead skin keeps the pores free from blockage with blackheads and whiteheads. Once the pores are blocked, the sebaceous glands produce even more oil that has no outlet creating pimples; however, exfoliation prevents them from forming.
- Helps reduce and prevent acne: exfoliation interrupts the formation of acne. Excess sebum and dead cells create an environment for acne-causing bacteria, and the longer they amass, the easier it is for the bacteria to reproduce. Constantly exfoliating helps reduce the factors leading to the formation of acne and the time spent on the pores.
- Assist in better penetration of skincare: debris and dead skin cells act as a barrier between the skin and skincare products like moisturizers, retinol and serums. Exfoliating allows for the deeper penetration of these skin care products at work effectively.
- Evens out the texture and skin tone: if you are dealing with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, textured skin or acne scars, exfoliation is the perfect solution for you. It helps break down dead skin cells, making it appear smoother and look healthy and even. In addition, exfoliation prompts the synthesis of collagen, which enhances the appearance of the skin, keeping it looking youthful, elastic and plump.
Types of exfoliation
There are two main types of exfoliation
- Physical exfoliation: this exfoliation uses gauze, brushes, scrubs, small grains and mitts to remove dead cells. They clean the pores and skin and should be handled gently to avoid damage to the skin. They are an excellent alternative for those who prefer to use natural products to exfoliate rather than chemicals.
- Chemical exfoliation: this type of exfoliation cleans pores and removes dead cells by employing acids to improve cell turnover. There are many types of chemical exfoliators suited to different kinds of skin, such as polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Tips for exfoliation
- Exfoliation needs to be done in moderation. When using physical exfoliators one must ensure they do not scrub with too much as it may lead to inflammation or little tears.
- Exfoliation also should not be done every day. In a week, once or twice is just enough and for some people it may be even less than that.
- If you are over exfoliating there may be signs that you will experience to help you take control. These signs include having a tingle once skin care is applied or the skin feeling too tender.
- Facial and body exfoliators do not work the same way as they are used for different parts of the body.
- After exfoliating, it is important to always apply moisturizer to your skin to make sure the new skin stays plump and hydrated.
In conclusion, exfoliation is an essential step that should be incorporated into one’s skincare routine. It helps break down dead skin cells and cleans pores making your skin look younger and improving skin tone. However, it is essential to note that the skin naturally falls off dead cells; hence exfoliation should not be done daily.