Why exfoliating is important and how to do so without damaging the skin.

You probably have at least heard about exfoliating for healthy skin, but how does it actually work as part of a regular skincare routine?

I find that my clients are most successful on their journey to clear when they understand how each step supports clearer healthier skin, so let’s dive into exfoliation.

What is exfoliation for the skin?

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This helps the skin to appear brighter and more youthful. Your skin sheds dead cells naturally, but exfoliating helps to safely speed things along when done properly.

There are several ways to exfoliate and different tools to do so. Which one you use depends on your skin type.

Methods for exfoliating the skin

Mechanical exfoliants

Mechanical exfoliants are chemical-free methods that rely on friction to remove skin cells. Examples are face scrubs made of abrasive particles like sugar or salt, cleansing and exfoliating brushes, microdermabrasion and dermaplaning.

Chemical exfoliants

These are skin treatments that use acids or enzymes to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so they can be removed. These come in many forms: chemical peels and cleansers, toners, masks, serums, and moisturizers.

How often should I exfoliate?

This depends on your skin type and the method you use. First, never use any exfoliant of any kind on broken or sunburned skin. You want to be careful with mechanical exfoliants if you have active acne breakouts as mechanical methods will be very irritating for them and may make them worse.

Same with chemical exfoliators. Using too much, too often can dry out the skin, which can lead to further irritation.

The only answer to this question is to work with your esthetician for the best advice. Your esthetician will know your exact skin type and be able to properly monitor your progress in case you need to adjust your usage.

In fact, your esthetician can advise you on which exfoliation method to use for your best results.