Exfoliation is the process of chemically or manually removing the dead skin and debris off the top layer of skin. It helps skin care products and moisturizers work better, can leave skin with an even skin tone and can give skin a better appearance overall. But, if done incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good.
If you choose to exfoliate at home, it is important to do it safely so that you don’t damage your skin which would kind of be the opposite of what you want to do when you exfoliate.
There are few things you want to take into consideration before choosing your method of exfoliation such as your skin type, what method would be best for you, and what other skin care products or medications are you currently taking and using.
By knowing some of the guidelines of exfoliation, you may be able to decide what will work for you, how to do it safely and you will be on your way to healthy, youthful skin.
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Know Your Skin Type
Before choosing any method of exfoliation, you must take into consideration of the type of skin you have. Generally, there are 5 main different types of skin and each one needs to be treated in a different way. If you don’t know what type of skin you have, here is a short description of the main categories.
Sensitive Skin
People with sensitive skin usually have a reduced tolerance to the application of cosmetics and personal care products. They are subjective to symptoms such as stinging, itching or burning that mainly relate to the skin on the face. People with this skin type can also develop frequent rashes and can be prone to breakouts.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is often referred to as well-balanced skin. The t-zone area may be a little oily, but overall, sebum and moisture is well balanced. The skin is neither too oily nor too dry.
Dry Skin
People with dry skin tend to lack moisture on the skin and can have a feeling of tightness. Skin can be rough, itchy and flaky. In severe cases, skin may even crack due to extreme dryness.
Oily Skin
Excess oil on the face can produce a persistently shiny or greasy appearance which is categorized as oily skin. Pores are easily clogged and enlarged, blackheads, pimples and other types of acne are common.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is defined as having oily skin in some areas of the face and dry skin in other areas of the face. Usually, the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) are the oiliest parts of the face.
Consider Medication
To prevent skin damage, consider some of the medications you are currently taking. Some medications and over the counter products can cause skin sensitivity. Products that contain retinoids, retinol or benzoyl peroxide tend to cause skin sensitivity.
Exfoliation Method
Mechanical Exfoliation
Manual or physical exfoliation involves manually using an abrasive to rub off dead skin cells and debris off the top layer of skin. You can use exfoliating tools such as body scrubs, loofahs, pumice stones, exfoliating gloves or even a simple washcloth to get the job done.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation requires specific chemicals and acids to be applied to the area that needs to be exfoliated. This is usually on the face. These chemicals and acids gently break down the bonds between the skin cells and help loosen up the dead cells and debris. This makes it easier to simply wipe away the impurities from the skin.
How Often to Exfoliate
How often you exfoliate depends on you, your skin type and the chosen method of exfoliation. As a rule of thumb, the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often you want to do it.
I know you may be eager to see bright and glowing skin, but take it slow at first starting with exfoliating one day a week. See how your skin reacts and move to two times a week and so on. As skin becomes used to being exfoliated, you can slowly increase the number of times you exfoliate a week.
As soon as skin starts for feel irritated or stripped, dial it back down. Soon enough, between the increasing and decreasing of exfoliating days, you will be able to fine your perfect balance of exfoliation days.
For chemical exfoliants, follow the directions on the label. Never exfoliate more than what is recommended. Also, don’t layer or mix different chemical exfoliants together. They may have bad reactions to each other and could cause some serious damage to the skin.
Be Gentle On the Skin
No matter the method you have chosen for exfoliation, it is important to be gentle on the skin. For chemical exfoliants, be sure to follow the directions carefully when using them. If it is your first time using a new product, be sure to preform a patch test before full application to ensure no allergic reactions occur.
For manual exfoliation, be sure not to use too much pressure or to exfoliate in one spot for too long. This can cause redness and irritation. The point of exfoliation is to remove the dead skin cells and debris, not scrub skin raw. Take it from personal experience, scrubbing skin raw is no fun.
The skin naturally has a protective layer that is meant to keep moisture in and toxins and debris out. Exfoliating too hard or leaving a chemical exfoliant on for too long or using it too often may one, be very painful and two, can disrupt this natural barrier. Then, you’re left with a bigger problem than just some dead skin cells on your skin. Skin may become vulnerable to what it was created to keep out like pollutants, sun damage, dryness and infection.
Moisturize After Exfoliating
Exfoliating can be very drying to the skin. It is important to follow up with a moisturizer immediately after exfoliating to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. If you plan on going out in the sun, it may be a good idea to find a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, or apply sunscreen on as well. Especially if you used a chemical exfoliant.
For dry, sensitive skin, you may want to opt in for a cream moisturizer
For Combination or oily skin, try a light, oil free lotion or jojoba oil
Skin Conditions
Some of us have certain skin conditions that need to be accounted for when wanting to exfoliate or choosing the proper exfoliating method for us. Use caution when exfoliating if you have:
- An active acne breakout
- Underlying conditions such as herpes simplex which can cause lessions on the face
- Rosacea
- Warts
Speak to Your Physician
If you are unsure if exfoliating is for you or you don’t know which method you could benefit from, or if you have underlying conditions or takin medications, speak to your doctor or dermatologist. They will be able to point you in the right direction.
Summing It Up
Exfoliation, in my opinion, is one of the most important steps in a skin care routine. It offers so many benefits such as giving skin an even and smoother skin tone and allowing the skin care products that we spend so much money on a chance to work effectively.
Exfoliation may not be for everyone, and each method of exfoliation may not be a beneficial to every skin type. Knowing your skin type is important to knowing which method may be a good choice for you. Which ever method you choose, remember to follow up with a moisturizer and expect to have glowing and beautiful skin!
How often do you exfoliate your skin? Let us know in the comments 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.
