Q. DO I NEED EXFOLIATION?
A. Scrubbing or Exfoliation should be an essential part of our skincare routine. Scrubbing helps to buff away dry,dead skin cells to reveal smooth and fresh cells underneath. Exfoliation helps fights against aging because it stimulates blood and lymph flow and cell turnover, thus resulting in smoother and younger looking skin.
Exfoliation has the following benefits:
- to remove dead skin cells, grease and impurities from the surface of the skin….
- allowing fresh new cells to be exposed, therefore improving the appearance of the skin.
- skin preparations after exfoliating such as moisturizers, mask products penetrate easier into the skin.
- the blood circulation increases, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, therefore improving the skin color.
- hyper pigmentation improves as the pigmented surface skin cells is removed.
Q. WHEN SHOULD I EXFOLIATE?
A. Exfoliation should be done once or twice a week depending on the needs of your skin(and NOT more than that unless you want to end up with raw, sensitive skin) preferably after your CT (Cleansing Toning) routine and before applying face masks. Don't forget to moisturize after scrubbing even if you are an oily skinned beauty!
Q. WHAT KIND OF EXFOLIATOR IS SUITED TO MY SKIN TYPE?
A. Natural is the best way to go if you have time at your hands. Great nourishing scrubs can be made out of things right in your kitchen! A mixture of brown sugar and olive/baby oil works for all skin types. For more such home made scrubs visit DIY Exfoliating Scrubs
Physical cream exfoliators Cream scrubs contain micro-beads in a moisturizing cream or lotion base, and are great for people with dry skin. Just be wary when choosing with the type of beads in the creams. Some contain sharp-edged beads that can leave micro-scratches on your skin, so look for creamy exfoliators that have rounded beads instead.TRY: Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish, Clinique 7-day scrub cream rinse off formula, Himalaya Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub, Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub Physical gel exfoliators Gel scrubs give the same results as cream scrubs but are in gel form so they are better for oily and combination skin types. TRY: Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel,Fabindia Orange and Cinnamon face and body gel scrub, Himalaya Neem Scrub Chemical exfoliators These exfoliators use glycolic, lactic, citric, or salicylic acid to chemically remove dead cells on the surface of the skin, which is also good for people with oily skin. If you have never used a chemical exfoliator before, start using it only once or twice a week, at night—once your skin adjusts, you can increase the number of times used per week. However these can be too drying and may end up doing more harm than good if used frequently with a heavy hand. Start by using scrubs having salicylic or glycolic base to see your skin’s reaction to it. TRY: Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub, Neutrogena rapid Clear Foaming Scrub
A. Exfoliation should be done once or twice a week depending on the needs of your skin(and NOT more than that unless you want to end up with raw, sensitive skin) preferably after your CT (Cleansing Toning) routine and before applying face masks. Don't forget to moisturize after scrubbing even if you are an oily skinned beauty!
A. Natural is the best way to go if you have time at your hands. Great nourishing scrubs can be made out of things right in your kitchen! A mixture of brown sugar and olive/baby oil works for all skin types. For more such home made scrubs visit DIY Exfoliating Scrubs
Physical cream exfoliators Cream scrubs contain micro-beads in a moisturizing cream or lotion base, and are great for people with dry skin. Just be wary when choosing with the type of beads in the creams. Some contain sharp-edged beads that can leave micro-scratches on your skin, so look for creamy exfoliators that have rounded beads instead.TRY: Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish, Clinique 7-day scrub cream rinse off formula, Himalaya Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub, Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub Physical gel exfoliators Gel scrubs give the same results as cream scrubs but are in gel form so they are better for oily and combination skin types. TRY: Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel,Fabindia Orange and Cinnamon face and body gel scrub, Himalaya Neem Scrub Chemical exfoliators These exfoliators use glycolic, lactic, citric, or salicylic acid to chemically remove dead cells on the surface of the skin, which is also good for people with oily skin. If you have never used a chemical exfoliator before, start using it only once or twice a week, at night—once your skin adjusts, you can increase the number of times used per week. However these can be too drying and may end up doing more harm than good if used frequently with a heavy hand. Start by using scrubs having salicylic or glycolic base to see your skin’s reaction to it. TRY: Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub, Neutrogena rapid Clear Foaming Scrub
Cloth or pad exfoliators These gentle manual exfoliators are meant to cater to all skin types, except for people with skin issues. They can also help with acne problems, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Like any manual scrub, always follow product instructions and be careful not to go overboard.
Exfoliation for Men Yes men need exfoliation too. Not only because it gets rid of the grease from their skin, but it also helps to soften it, giving it a better appearance. Men and women (that have oily skin) both have something in common: they have a thick Epidermis, prone to shine and acne. Exfoliating products for men are often stronger with more granules in them, because men generally have thicker skin than women.
TRY: Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub, Garnier Men Scrub, St.Ives Apricot face Scrub
Q. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SCRUB MY FACE?
A. Dermatologist Dr.David A. Colbert says, “How often you exfoliate depends on your age and skin texture. Younger people tend to have oilier skin and will be able handle more scrubbing. People with more mature skin will have a thinner epidermis and will need to do less with a proper product catered to their skin type." Too much of anything isn't good for you. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating two to three times a week maximum, depending on your skin type. Someone with eczema or dry skin should not be exfoliating more than someone who has oily skin. You will be able to gauge how your skin reacts to scrubs and create your own exfoliating routine. If you do over-scrub your face, stop immediately and let your skin heal.
A. Dermatologist Dr.David A. Colbert says, “How often you exfoliate depends on your age and skin texture. Younger people tend to have oilier skin and will be able handle more scrubbing. People with more mature skin will have a thinner epidermis and will need to do less with a proper product catered to their skin type." Too much of anything isn't good for you. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating two to three times a week maximum, depending on your skin type. Someone with eczema or dry skin should not be exfoliating more than someone who has oily skin. You will be able to gauge how your skin reacts to scrubs and create your own exfoliating routine. If you do over-scrub your face, stop immediately and let your skin heal.
Q.WHAT FOLLOW UP PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
A. Scrubbing or Exfoliating opens up your pores to clean from within. It is a good habit to use a pore closing product like an alcohol free toner (or plain ice from your fridge!) after exfoliation so that dirt doesn’t accumulate in the pores subsequently causing acne.
Also a good moisturization regimen is must if you have dry skin, as sometimes exfoliation may make your skin drier.
A. Scrubbing or Exfoliating opens up your pores to clean from within. It is a good habit to use a pore closing product like an alcohol free toner (or plain ice from your fridge!) after exfoliation so that dirt doesn’t accumulate in the pores subsequently causing acne.
Also a good moisturization regimen is must if you have dry skin, as sometimes exfoliation may make your skin drier.
- Important Points To Note:
- Always work with warm water when exfoliating. An exfoliating product can be too uncomfortable when applied on it’s own.
- NEVER use body exfoliators on your face.
- Do not apply make-up immediately after exfoliating. This is why you should exfoliate at night.
- Do not exfoliate after shaving facial hair.
- When exfoliating twice a week, do not do this two days in a row. Seperate these days within the week so that your skin cells can regenerate well.
- Try to use exfoliating products on your neck area also.
- Exfoliation is not recommended for those with highly sensitive skin, or pustular, blemished skin.
- Avoid exfoliating products that contain sharp grains of nut shells, as these can scrape, split and damage your skin.
- Always test the product on the back of your hand before purchasing.
-If you have a medical condition please consult your dermatologist.
Try: DIY Exfoliating Scrubs from right within your kitchen cabinets!
Hope I could help with your questions regarding exfoliation. Have some more? Feel free to let me know in the comments section below and i’ll try and answer as soon as possible.
