The burn out of surface skin cells is fundamental. To ensure that the skin remains silky smooth, soft and radiant, you must get rid of these dead skin cells. According to The International Dermal Institute, “exfoliation refreshes the skin in an instant [1].
Exfoliation as a skin care routine is a must. It has to be done using a washcloth, facial cleansing sponge or other exfoliating cleansers. However, it can make your skin irritated or dry if you are not careful. Here’s what all you need to know about exfoliating the safe way.
Choose the right exfoliate
An ideal exfoliate should be hydrating, anti-septic, soothing and nourishing. These aspects address skin concerns by multi-functional effects on skin. A cleanser with AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) has an excellent exfoliation effect on normal skin [2].
Do not scrub or use abrasive cleansers
Scrubbing can irritate your skin, more so if it is prone to acne. Likewise, never use abrasive exfoliating cleansers; you would run a high risk of damaging the delicate blood vessels under the skin. It could lead to a medical condition known as telangiectasia which requires laser surgery as treatment .
Don’t use soap as an exfoliate (cleanser)
Soap is good to get rid of germs and bacteria, not so when it comes to removing dead skin cells. Besides, a regular soap is alkaline and tends to be too drying and irritating for normal skin. Soap for cleansing is a strict no-no when it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which strips skin of its natural oils .
After care
Exfoliation is drying to the skin. After you rinse your body with lukewarm water, follow it up with a cold water rinse. Thereafter, apply a slimming, firming, or hydrating cream to improve the effect .
When to stop
Those with oily skin are advised to exfoliate more often (not more than twice a week) than those with dry skin; over-exfoliating is also a concern. If your skin gets dry or itchy after exfoliation, you should stop. You can cut back on how often you exfoliate, and change a cleanser to see if it doesn’t happen again. The skin needs time to recuperate, the reason you should not do it more than twice a week.
In spite of the endless benefits of exfoliation, it is not usually considered for body parts other than the face. Not just cleansing, exfoliation can be done before applying tanning products or when rejuvenating winter-weary skin.
