The skincare step that will give you immediate results? Exfoliation. If you’re layering on skincare ingredients only to feel like they’re not working, struggling to get rid of dullness, or your makeup flakes when you put it on, you’re likely not exfoliating the right way. A good buff comes with a promise of purging dull skin and dead cells, revealing a newer, glowing complexion underneath. From stimulating collagen in a matter of minutes to better absorption of skincare products – it keeps our skin bright and fresh.
So, to help you (and myself) figure it out, we got into details of dos and don’ts of exfoliating to pave the way to smooth, radiant, just-got-a-facial skin. What are you waiting for? Your baby-fresh skin awaits. Keep scrolling.
Here’s How To Properly Exfoliate Your Face For Radiant & Healthy Skin
Invest In The Right Formulation
There are two ways to slough off dead skin cells from the surface: chemical and physical. The latter includes grainy products that buff away skin cells like seeds, sugar crystals, walnut pieces. The physical friction may feel satisfying. However, it can be too easy to be overzealous, which can damage skin’s barrier and cause microtears in the skin. The former includes using AHAs including glycolic acid and lactic acid. Chemical exfoliants can penetrate the skin well and produce effective results in brightening the skin if used long-term. However, if you have sensitive skin that doesn’t react well to acids, or you want an instant deep-cleansed effect, you can go for physical exfoliation. But make sure you keep things super gentle and use a light hand.
Use The Products The Right Way
The right products can deliver poor results when used incorrectly. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, always follow the instructions. As a general rule, use a pea-sized amount of product and apply it to the cleansed skin with clean fingers, using gentle circular motions. When using an exfoliating wash, keep it on for a min or two then rinse it off. For chemical peels, don’t be tempted to keep it on for longer than recommended as it can irritate the skin.
Know How Often To Exfoliate
If you have sensitive skin, exfoliating once a week is enough. For folks with acneic skin that’s more on the oilier side, exfoliating 3 to 4 times a week can work too. But, it’s crucial to give your skin a break from exfoliating too and rebalance it with moisturising and hydrating agents that’ll seal in moisture and protect the skin’s barrier. If your skin is becoming dry, sensitive or irritated, back off the exfoliating product.
Exfoliate In The Morning
Though any time of day will work. However, exfoliating in the morning is ideal because the skin repairs itself at night, leaving a layer of dead skin cells just begging to be sloughed off. Also, a tip for successfully exfoliating your face is to do so in a warm, steamy shower or bath as the steam helps the efficacy of physical exfoliators.
For When You’ve Over-Exfoliated
In case you’ve over-exfoliated, your skin can be irritated, red and can feel taut and tight. If your skin is feeling that way, you’ll want to remove the exfoliating ingredient from your routine for the time being. Treat your skin with pH balanced products that’ll repair, hydrate, and soothe the skin. Look out for ingredients like shea butter, squalene, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, all of which helps to build up the skin barrier and keep irritation at bay.
Follow It With A Moisturiser
After exfoliating, make sure you thoroughly wash away the product and any dead skin cells and then pat with a clean towel. Then, use a moisturiser to help your skin retain moisture and look radiant.
Don’t Skip Your Lips
Scaly lips are simply not appealing, but there are times in our lives when we all experience it. Luckily, getting rid of it is relatively easy. All you have to do is exfoliate your lips using a little Vaseline and a toothbrush.
Take notes and watch your skin glow!
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