Did you know that our skin cells’ growth and regeneration rate substantially decreases as we age? It means we cannot have a baby’s skin for the rest of our lives. Fret not. There is a skincare step called exfoliation which can help you to achieve soft and smoother skin. Exfoliation is a process in which you remove the dead cells from the outermost layer of your skin surface. But the question here is how to exfoliate.
I learned this magical step when I was 17, and since then, it has become a part of my skincare routine.
I will share some fascinating things I have discovered if you are also trying exfoliation. You can find everything in this article, from what exfoliation does to the signs of overdoing it.
What Happens When You Exfoliate?
Here are five advantages of exfoliation that will make you regret why didn’t you try it earlier.
Unclogging Pores
Are you constantly dealing with blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pimples? They are all signs of unclogged pores. They develop when pollution and debris are in direct contact with your skin. The dirt particles combine to produce tough sebum and dead skin cells.
You must have noticed that a few spots on your skin looked bumpy and black. They are the open pores. Mild scrubbing will help you get rid of them. By doing so, the old cells can decompose, and the new ones can regenerate.
If psychical exfoliation doesn’t work well for your skin, you can alternatively try a chemical exfoliator.
Less Visible Wrinkles And Fine Lines
Your skin loses collagen protein as you grow old, and cell formation slows down, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. Besides, your facial expressions can also be the cause behind it.
Fine lines and wrinkles are irreversible once they appear. You can take care of it to exfoliate it, making it less noticeable.
Using a wash-off exfoliating facewash to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is a fantastic alternative. An additional daily exfoliant can lead to even more promising results.
Aids In Lightening Dark Spots
A pigment called melanin produced by your skin causes dark spots. Besides, overexposure to the sun, hormonal fluctuations, and pharmaceutical side effects can contribute to hyperpigmentation.
A great solution for the skin affected by dark spots is exfoliation, which stimulates the creation of new skin. On the new skin, it might progressively lighten dark patches.
If you frequently get dark spots, you can avoid them by utilizing exfoliation products twice a week. You’ll see that your black patches seldom ever appear. Say goodbye to hyperpigmentation and hello to clear skin with consistency.
Helps Even Out Skin Tone
Skin tone differences affect everyone. It is when your skin has two distinct tones. Due to how difficult it is to get rid of, it can occasionally be annoying. Also, the rough surface of uneven skin is why your makeup always looks patchy.
Sun exposure, hormone changes, heredity, skin inflammatory conditions, and air pollution are common causes of uneven skin tone. Exfoliating helps to remove damaged cells and break down dry, dead skin, which promotes the growth of new cells. Your skin becomes smoother as you go along, giving you a soft, supple complexion.
Improved Penetration Of Additional Skincare Items
Here is the solution if you still don’t understand why your skincare isn’t working its magic. The barrier between the product and your top layer of skin; is the dead skin cells currently covering your skin.
The products you apply sit on the top layer of dirt rather than entering it. Now tell me, how will it show satisfactory results?
Exfoliating might help. Use any exfoliation product two times a week, either chemical or physical, to remove the barrier layer. After that, I bet you’ll notice your skincare is effective.
Check out some best exfoliators on Amazon!
How Many Types Of Exfoliation?
I used terminologies like chemical and physical exfoliants during the exfoliation benefits discussion. Here, I shall go into more depth about these types of exfoliations.
Chemical Exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants products function by exfoliating dead skin cells from the skin’s topmost layer. It may be applied to any skin type and is considerably gentler.
They can assist you in balancing your skin tone; they also help to smooth out rough textures and brighten dull skin. It might not be suitable for sensitive skin because it might irritate.
Following are some common chemical exfoliants.
1 – AHAs
Sweet fruits are the source of AHAs, which are water-soluble acids. They assist in removing the top layer of your skin so that fresh, pigmented skin cells can grow in their place.
AHAs are suitable for all skin types. You’ll probably find that your skin feels smoother after use. AHAs are frequently used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and dull skin. Common examples of AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid.
2 – BHAs
The exfoliant BHA is a liquid made from a willow bark extract. It penetrates deep into pores to remove skin cell buildup while gently rupturing the intercellular links between dead skin cells on the skin’s surface.
BHA is a fantastic choice for oily, mixed, and acne-prone skin types because it is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliator (it dissolves in oil). This acid may enter pores deeply to clean them from the inside out while slicing through the skin’s oil.
The widely used illustration of BHAs is salicylic acid.
Physical Exfoliants
Physical exfoliation is any procedure that involves physically removing dirt and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
It includes simple items like washcloths, loofahs, sponges, and brushes in the form of scrubs with exfoliating particles.
Exfoliation products are skin scrubs that include microscopic grains of salt, sugar, nutshell, or bead. These granules act as an abrasive to remove skin cells and other debris. The scrubbing motion enhances blood flow to the area, giving it a healthy shine.
How To Exfoliate At Home? (DIY Exfoliants)
Here is the solution to your question about how to exfoliate skin naturally. You may make homemade exfoliation for your face that will work similarly to commercial facial scrubs.
Are you one of those people who think anything done at home or with DIY skills is the best solution? Or are you one of those who cannot use chemical products due to allergies to specific substances? In both situations, homemade exfoliation is the most effective.
Stick to the Ubtan recipe because it is effective on all skin types. Add a pinch of turmeric along with one tablespoon of gram flour. For a paste-like consistency, add milk for dry skin or rose water for oily skin.
After the paste has dried for 15 minutes, begin scrubbing gently; you will find that it works the same as the market facial scrub. This homemade scrub will also be fantastic if you want full body exfoliation.
Avoid Going Above And Beyond
Despite what your exfoliation product may state, you should avoid exfoliating every day.
If you exfoliate your skin more often than necessary, you risk destroying the protective layer of your skin. Here are the signs of over-exfoliation that you shouldn’t overlook.
Irritation
One of the initial symptoms of over-exfoliation is skin irritability. Your skin should often turn a bit red following exfoliation. However, it might be time to quit if your skin is still red for several hours or days after exfoliating.
Your skin’s barrier is damaged if you notice a minor burning sensation or itchy skin after using a chemical exfoliating product.
Acne
Over-exfoliation can make the skin thin and unable to protect itself from bacterial infections. It makes it simpler for congestion and zits to develop.
Additionally, physically exfoliating acne that is active might move the bacteria around on the skin. If you start getting fresh breakouts after exfoliating, there might be an issue.
The Tightness In Your Skin
After washing our faces, we occasionally feel that our skin is tight. However, if you have been over-exfoliating, you will find that your skin feels tough all the time.
In addition to making you uncomfortable, it can lead to skin-related problems like dry, cracked skin. The pressure gives you the impression that someone is standing behind you and dragging your face back.
Final Thoughts
If done correctly, exfoliation can benefit your skin significantly. Exfoliate your face twice or thrice for beautiful, radiant skin free of spots.
Check the ingredient list before selecting an exfoliating treatment. It will warn you if an ingredient is present that is inappropriate for your skin type.
Choose an exfoliation procedure based on how dry or oily your skin is. You should also know the answer or product to how to exfoliate sensitive skin.
All people can utilize homemade scrubs they can produce. It leaves your skin soft and silky and has no side effects. Additionally, you can use it to exfoliate your entire body.
Excessive exfoliation can harm your skin rather than improve it. It is a sign that you have over-exfoliated your skin if it becomes irritated, inflamed, or tight. Therefore, till the skin feels normal again, cease using exfoliants.
Do you want to know more about skincare? All the information is just a click away.
