If you have ever looked in the mirror and have noticed that your skin appears to be a little dull, or flaky, has visible fine lines and wrinkles or has large pores, you may want to read further into this article.
I will explain to you how a simple step in your skin care routine may be able to solve these problems and what other benefits this step has for your skin. I do this step almost every single day, and it hasn’t let me down so far. I have butter smooth skin, small, unclogged pores and an even skin tone. I want the same for you!
You will be amazed at how this step that is often skipped and looked over can have a significant impact on the overall appearance and health of your skin. It can even help save you money!
Are you ready to learn what this step is? I hope so, cuz I’m ready to share it!
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So What’s the Deets?
This simple step to add to your skin care routine is… drumroll please… exfoliation! When done on a regular basis, exfoliation can offer up so many benefits to your skin.
Exfoliation is the process of removing debris and impurities from the skin’s outer most layer, the epidermis. Our skin regenerates new cells and sheds old cells every 30 days or so. This process is called cell turn over. Easy to see why right?
Sometimes, the dead skin cells have a hard time falling off need a little assistance to do so.
They tend to linger around longer than they should which could cause a few problems we’re not too fond of. The longer they linger on the skin’s surface, the more probable it can cause problems. So it is important to tackle this head on and on a regular basis.
What Are the Benefits of Exfoliation?
Even Skin Tone
If you are someone who suffers from dry spots, flaky skin or a rough skin texture, this could be your skin calling for help. Exfoliating can help remove those dry patches and smooth out your skin texture. Overtime, your skin will begin to look more uniform.
Not only can you use mechanical methods, but certain chemical exfoliants can break down dry and dead skin cells while smoothing out skin’s texture as well.
What about those pesky stretch marks, blemishes and scars?
Yes, exfoliating them can help diminish the look of those too. I exfoliate my stretch marks on a regular basis using the mechanical method and over time, I have seen a significant change in their appearance. Thank goodness.
Improves the Overall Appearance of Skin
Dead skin cells and debris left on the face can leave skin looking dull. By exfoliating on a regular basis, you can gain healthy and youthful skin.
Exfoliating leaves skin brighter and younger.
This is because the new skin cells underneath are begging to be released, but the old skin cells are blocking them. Once you remove this layer, the new skin cells can shine through. Quite literally actually. New skin cells can reflect light better. The results are an ultra-dewy baby face complexion fill of radiance.
Smaller Looking Pores
If you have noticed that your pores seem to be more visible, this could be due to them being clogged up with debris and, you guessed it, dead skin cells. Dead skin cells can also form a layer on top of your pores blocking the debris from escaping.
In a sense, the larger pores are the visible signs of and dirt and build up.
Unclogging these pores can allow your skin to get rid of the debris and also detox through sweat. This will lead to smaller pores.
Prevents Acne
Dead skin cells and debris aren’t the only things that can get trapped in your pores. Our skin naturally produces oil called sebum that is secreted through our pores. When our pores get clogged, the sebum has no where to go and gets trapped and backed up with the debris.
This makes for the perfect living environment for bacteria and can cause breakouts.
By exfoliating, we can unclog the pores so that sebum has somewhere to go. This will also prevent breakouts.
Anti-Aging
Over time, dead skin cells create layers on top of your skin. And, over time, these layers can increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Removing the layers of dead skin cells can rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Stimulates Collagen Growth
Collagen is the key to youthful, vibrant and glowing skin. It is the building blocks of our skin and is what makes skin firm, supple and promotes skin elasticity. Long term exfoliation can improve collagen production which can minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and prevent sagging skin.
Boosts Lymphatic Drainage
The lymphatic system is in charge of internal cleansing. When it gets stimulated it helps remove the toxins out of our bodies.
Boosts Blood Circulation
Exfoliating your skin can help increase the flow of oxygen rich blood to feed and nourish the skin’s surface. This can increase skin’s radiance and glow.
Helps Skin Care Products Work
Don’t waste your money on body and facial products if you aren’t going to exfoliate before using them. As mentioned before, dead skin cells create a barrier on the otter layer of the skin. This barrier not only keeps debris in, but it also keeps products and the nutrients they contain out.
Have you ever wondered why your products that use to work, now aren’t as effective? This could be why.
Most products work best if they can deeply penetrate the skin’s layers and deliver the nutrients the skin needs. If there’s a barrier in their way, the product has no choice but to sit and wallow on top of the skin doing little to nothing or nothing at all.
So, ditch the serums, the cleansers and the moisturizers if you aren’t going to add exfoliation into your skin care routine! They are basically useless without the exfoliation step.
Reduce Ingrown Hairs and Hair Bumps
Ingrown hairs can be painful and unsightly. They are mainly caused by shaving, tweeting or plucking body hair. Most of the time, they are caused when the hair gets trapped under the skin’s surface (do you see a pattern here?)
By removing the layers of dead skin, you can help release the hair bump or ingrown hair.
To prevent hair bumps and ingrown hair, exfoliate before and after shaving, tweezing or plucking body hair.
Before I shave, I take my body buff puff, lather it with soap, and gently exfoliate my skin in circular motions. I then shave, and after I shave, I repeat the exfoliating process. I will exfoliate my skin every day for at least three days after shaving. This reduces the number of ingrown hair, razor bums and hair bumps I get to zero (for me.) and also smooths my skin and makes it butter soft.
Also, when done on a regular basis, and with the right moisturizer applied afterwards, you can say bye-bye to alligator skin!
It is important to apply a moisturizer to your skin after you exfoliate. The exfoliating process is very drying to the skin, so be sure to replenish the moisture afterwards. Also, you want to nourish the new skin cells that were hiding beneath the old!
Read Next: Physical Exfoliation
Do you know someone who could benefit from exfoliating? Share this post with them!
What are the reasons you want to now exfoliate? Let us know in the comments section below!
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. Neither Self Verve nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Be sure to contact your physician before trying any of the items stated in the above article.
