When skin becomes dull, flaky or dry, it may need some added attention for you. Skin is constantly creating new skins cells and shedding old skin cells in a process called cell turn over. This process can last around 30 days.
But when dead skin cells don’t fully fall off, they can cause some minor to major issues on the skin’s surface. Pores can become clogged and full of dirt, debris and sebum, breakouts can occur, skin can be dull and products that we spend so much money on can become ineffective.
One of the best ways to help combat some of these issues is with exfoliation.
Exfoliation, to keep it quite simple, is the process of removing dead skin cells and debris form the skin’s surface. When we exfoliate, many skin benefits can come about. Some of these would include, brighter, youthful and healthy skin, even skin tone, less rough patches and even increased circulation.
There are two main methods of exfoliating. Mechanical and chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals, acids and enzymes to help break the bonds of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface allowing them to be wiped away.
Mechanical exfoliation the process of manually removing the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Physical exfoliation will be the focus today. There are many different ways and tools to use to help exfoliate. Some may be as simple as using a washcloth and others can be advanced to microdermabrasion.
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What is Mechanical Exfoliation
As mentioned above, mechanical exfoliation is the physical removal of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface to help reveal youthful and supple skin underneath. It is the easiest, most common and most effective ways to exfoliate skin and you can expect to see immediate results.
The effectiveness of exfoliation depends greatly on the physical product, or the method used, the amount of friction that is applied and the nature of the abrasive substance used. You can exfoliate right at home with simple tools such as a washcloth, exfoliating mitts, pumice stones, loofahs or even a simple DIY body scrub.
Mechanical exfoliation usually works best for those who have normal to oily skin, but people with all skin types can exfoliate. People with sensitive or dry skin may want to use a less abrasive exfoliator and exfoliate less frequently than those with normal to oily skin.
The method or tools you decide to choose to get a healthy glow is completely up to you and your skin’s needs. These are just a few examples to help get the ball rolling for you.
Tools You Can Use
Washcloth
I’m sure we are all familiar with the washcloth. When you wash your body with one, you may be exfoliating and haven’t realized it yet. The best material to use in my opinion is terry cloth and this method is best for those with normal and sensitive skin.
After washing your face as normal, gently move the washcloth in small circles to remove dead skin cells and debris as you dry your face.
You can also use a washcloth on your body by using water and your favorite soap or shower gel. Apply your cleaning agent and rub washcloth over skin in a circular motion and rinse. To add more abrasion, apply a body scrub to the washcloth and do the same thing.
Be sure to use separate washcloths for your face and body to prevent the spread of germs to your face.
Exfoliating Face and Body Cloths
These offer more abrasion than the traditional washcloth. Both sides are textured and can be used to exfoliate the skin effectively. They lather very well and can be used on the face and the body (I suggest having two; one for your face and one for your body).
Exfoliating cloths can help remove makeup, dead skin cells grease and oil from the skin. They are durable, long lasting and can be machine washed for multiple uses.
Exfoliating Mitts or Gloves
These work in a similar way as a washcloth, but they are made from a move abrasive material. Lather the glove or mitt with soap and water and gently exfoliate as you wash. It is very effective and time saving when doing larger parts of the body such as your arms and legs.
It removes the dead skin cells, allows for better product absorption and you will notice less bumps and ingrown hair with regular use.
Buff Puff
The buff puff is a staple in my exfoliating process. I use two at a time. One for my face and the other for the rest of my body. These little guys come in different shapes and sizes and can even be double sided with a less abrasive side. They lather soap very well and offer a gentle, yet noticeable exfoliation.
After the first use, you can expect to have noticeably softer and smother skin.
Exfoliating Back Srubber
Imagine the exfoliating washcloth, but much bigger and with handles. Exfoliating back scrubbers can stretch and you can use the handles to help exfoliate your back and hard to reach areas. The handles are also a great way to hang up the cloth to dry after use.
Apply your favorite soap or shower gel and get to work removing debris and dead skin. This is another one of my favorite tools to use for exfoliating.
Dry Brush
This brush has different names, but is designed to do the same thing. Exfoliate the skin. There are some dry brushes that are designed to use specifically on the face, some are designed to use on the body and others are designed to use on either damp or dry skin. The natural materials of the bristles effectively remove the layers of dead skin cells.
Loofahs
Loofahs are those weird, tan sponges that come in different shapes and sizes. They are used to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, but they aren’t for everyone. I find them to be too abrasive for my liking and are best to be used on the body. They also require a bit more maintenance than other products to keep them free of bacteria. You can learn more about them here.
Pumice Stones
This is another iconic tool used for exfoliating. The pumice stone is a natural material made when lava and water meet. They also come in several different designs to help achieve a beautiful glow and removal of dead skin cells.
They can be on the more abrasive side, but they are great at removing calluses, corns and dead skin from the heels of feet. While they can be used om the body as well, they are most effective on dry patches and tougher skin such as elbows and knees. They require some prepping before and after use. To learn more about pumice stones, click here.
Silicone Scrubbers
They help exfoliate the skin, help unclog pores, massage the skin and promote blood circulation.
Sonic Face Scrubbers
If you’re the one that prefers mechanical devices over manual devices, this option is for you. They are either battery charged or rechargeable devices. Most are also water proof so you can use them safely in the shower.
Facial Cleansing Brush
Here’s another mechanical device for you. Facial cleaning brushes are battery powered or rechargeable for your convenience. The soft bristles oscillate to gently exfoliate your skin. They can help remove makeup, oil, grease, debris and dead skin cells from your skin. Most are water proof or water resistant so you can also use them in the shower or tub.
Body Scrubs
There is an endless amount of body scrub recipes, but their main goal remains the same. To exfoliate. They can be made with several different ingredients that can offer many benefits to the skin as you use them. Apply a small amount of body scrub on the skin and gently rub in circular motions. Rinse with warm water.
Learn more about Different Types of Body Scrubs.
Summing It Up
As you can see, there are many different tools out there to help exfoliate your skin. Some tools may not be a good match for you while others hit the sweet spot and become your absolute fav and go to. If you are just starting out with exfoliator tools, try one at a time to see if it works for you.
No matter what tool or method you decide to use to exfoliate, remember to not over exfoliate your skin. If your skin becomes irritated or starts to turn red, stop exfoliating in that spot.
Start off with exfoliating once or twice a week and listen to your skin when trying to figure out how often you need to exfoliate. Some people can exfoliate everyday, while others can only do so three times a week.
Always, always, always remember to moisturize your skin after exfoliating to replenish the moisture and nutrients lost during the exfoliating process. Moisturizing also helps protect and heal the skin and now that the layer of dead skin cells is gone, the moisturizer you use can actually do its job.
What exfoliating tool have you used? What did you like/dislike about it? Let us know in the comments section below.
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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.
