All About Exfoliation!
WHAT IS EXFOLIATION?
It takes the skin 25 days to renew itself naturally by shedding dead cells and generating new ones. As we age, this process takes even longer - dead cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, clogging pores and leaving it looking less than radiant. Exfoliants slough away build-up to reveal healthier skin underneath and allow for greater absorption of the beneficial ingredients in the rest of your skin care routine. You can exfoliate using a physical exfoliate or a chemical exfoliate.
PHYSICAL VS. CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION?
EXFOLIATING POWDERS:
One of my all-time favorites: the powder exfoliant. Used for centuries to brighten, smooth and hydrate skin, these ultra-fine powders gently remove impurities and exfoliate skin for a glowing complexion. The trick: Just add water.
Benefits of using a powder exfoliant:
- Gentle: When mixed with water, these powders transform into a luxurious lather that removes impurities, while being incredibly gentle. In addition to physical exfoliants like oat and rice flour, many also include naturally-derived AHAs and BHAs. These acids provide additional exfoliation by dissolving dead skin cells.
- Customizable: The amount of water you add to the mix informs the strength of the scrub, allowing you to make adjustments depending on the day, the season or specific skin type.
- Liquid Free: Powder exfoliants are liquid free. Bacteria and mold have a much harder time growing in dry environments, which means powder exfoliants often contain fewer preservatives and have a longer shelf life than their liquid counterparts. Another bonus: They are TSA-approved.
How To Use:
- Dispense dime-sized amount into the palm of your hand
- Add a small amount of water
- Rub your hands together to create a creamy lather
- Apply to your face using circular motions, careful to avoid the delicate eye area
- Rinse thoroughly with water and pat skin dry
Pro Tip: For an extra boost of exfoliation, add a dash of your favorite cleanser to step one!
EXFOLIATION DOS AND DONT'S:
Do: Determine Your Skin Type
To get the most out of exfoliation and to avoid any unpleasant side effects, familiarize yourself with your skin type. Remember a skin type is different from a skin concern. Skin types are classified into just five categories (normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive), whereas skin concerns are the multitude of conditions.
Don’t: Exfoliate Irritated Skin
Whether a sunburn or skin reaction, any type of irritation is a good reason to avoid exfoliation. Over-exfoliating may compromise the outermost layer known as the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The skin barrier helps our skin retain moisture and provides protection from environmental threats. A compromised barrier can lead to the skin feeling red, irritated, inflamed or overproducing oil, which can lead to potential breakouts.
Do: Follow Exfoliation With SPF
After exfoliation, your skin is more susceptible to damage from the sun or other environmental elements. When it comes to your daily skin care routine, sun protection is a must.
Don’t: Use Synthetic Exfoliants
Not only can synthetic exfoliants like plastic micro bead harm your skin, they can also cause intense damage to our environment.
Do: Use Caution When Combining Exfoliation Treatments
Although some exfoliation treatments work well together, there are some skin care combinations that should be avoided. W specially when using over the counter topicals/retinol treatments. The bamboo firming fluid is an alternative to conventional retinol. This concentrate contains a Natural Retinol Alternative, which is safe to combine with other exfoliating products.
SHOP EXFOLIANTS:
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB DERMAFOLIANT
STONE CROP OXYGENATING FIZZOFOLIANT
CHARCOAL GEL EXFOLIATING CLEANSER
