One of the most important aspects that some of you may not know about or could be failing to include in your routine is the act of exfoliating.
Believe it or not, this seemingly little thing can make a big difference in the appearance and health of your skin--both on your face and the rest of your body. Below is a crash course into what exfoliation is all about, how it can promote model skin and the other benefits that come with it.
The Definition of Exfoliation
Exfoliation is the practice of removing layers of dead skin from your face and body. While that may sound painful, it really isn't. If you currently have a facial or body scrub as part of your collection of toiletry items, guess what? You're exfoliating!
What It Matters
The human body is a wondrous thing, especially when it comes to how our skin functions. In case you haven't noticed, every day our skin sheds (i.e. dry flakes of skin on the face and body). When the skin isn't properly exfoliated, the layers of those dead skin cells builds up, resulting in a dull and dry/ashy appearance. Not a pretty sight.
Exfoliation successfully sloughs off those layers of dead skin buildup, which not only means a more radiant complexion but the promotion of healthier, newer skin cells. When you kick out the older skin cells to make way for younger ones, this process is called "skin cell turnover." And it is those new skin cells, among other factors, that are responsible for model skin.
How to Exfoliate
If you've yet to add exfoliation into your skin care routine, it is best to get a jump on it sooner than later. Most facial exfoliating products require you to apply the scrub to your complexion using your fingertips and gently massage it onto your skin using circular motions. There are also foaming products and others that may come with a special applicator to use. Body scrubs are pretty straight forward and can be applied to your body using your hands, washcloth or other similar item (see below for more info on this).
However, there are some important dos and don'ts to take note of to get the best results:
DO: Purchase a facial scrub that is made for your skin type.
DON'T: Use facial scrub on skin that has open sores, scars or breakouts. Wait for those areas to heal first. Acne prone skin should ONLY use facial scrubs that are labeled as being formulated for "Acne Prone Skin." There are medicated versions, as well as others made with ingredients that exfoliate while being gentle enough for this skin type.
DO: Make it a routine but only use it as needed. Once to twice a week is the general frequency most people use their facial scrub. Oily skin types may need to exfoliate more often.
DON'T: Just use facial scrub alone. This product is not meant to replace your cleanser.
DO: Purchase a body scrub so you can get a full body exfoliation experience in the shower or bath.
DON'T: Use body scrub on your face and vice-versa. Your complexion is much more sensitive compared to the skin on the rest of your body. Only use "facial" scrub on your "face" and "body" scrub on your...you get it, I don't even have to finish the sentence. :-)
DO: Use a loofah or other type of body scrub brush to get the best results while exfoliating in the shower or bath.
DON'T: Go overboard on the scrubbing. There's no need to rub your skin raw or until it's red and irritated. Only use a bit of pressure while using your loofah or scrub brush. The same goes for exfoliating your face...be gentle or you could cause your complexion to get irritated and even develop mini scarring and/or abrasions.
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