So you’ve tried every cleanser, every moisturiser, every sunscreen, every serum, and you’re still not seeing the results you want out of your skin? Chances are you are forgetting this one crucial step from your skincare routine: exfoliation.
Exfoliation is the process of removing dirt and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin whether that be physically (via scrubs, brushes…etc) or chemically (via chemical peels). Although our bodies naturally shed dead skin cells to make room for new ones, sometimes they don’t shed completely and subsequently, causing problems for your skin. If these dead cells aren’t removed, they will continue to build up on the surface of the skin, blocking the pores thus causing your skin to be more prone to breakouts. This is where exfoliation comes in, and thankfully there are a variety of methods to choose from.
- Scrubs
-
Face and body scrubs are probably the most popular option! After cleansing your body, go in with a sugar or salt scrub all over your body. Be sure you massage your skin in circular motions for a few minutes to ensure that you get a good scrub!
- Exfoliating gloves :)
-
These are my personal favorites, and they can be found everywhere. Amazon offers packs of multiple pairs for a great price! Although they do the same thing as the scrub, wearing the gloves makes the process more convenient especially if you have a hustle-and-bustle lifestyle. Simply put the gloves on, squirt a little bit of your favorite soap into your palm and start exfoliating! If you have sensitive skin make sure you are being gentle, especially on your face and neck!
- Gentle Brushes / Loofah
-
These work the same as the exfoliating gloves just not in the stylish glove form; it’s perfect if you simply want to get the job done without all the snazzy-adds of exfoliating gloves. The brushes work great at getting the dead skin off of the feet.
- Chemical Peels
-
There are different chemical peels for the body and face. They work by basically dissolving the top layer of skin, exposing the new healthy layer. Be sure to be very careful with these as leaving them on too long can harm the skin by burning it or causing infections.
Whether you choose to exfoliate chemically or physically is up to you, but please don’t neglect this step! Exfoliating regularly allows the skin to breathe, absorb moisture better, and overall keep it feeling and looking its best!