To wash or to not scrub shouldn’t be the query.
However there are different loads of different questions on exfoliation, and we’re right here to reply them for you.
WHY SHOULD I EXFOLIATE MY SKIN?
Why do it’s worthwhile to exfoliate your pores and skin? Properly, you are actually simply accelerating a pure course of referred to as desquamation, during which our pores and skin strikes older pores and skin cells towards the outermost layers of the pores and skin, they usually finally slough away, abandoning more energizing, smoother pores and skin. In fact, your pores and skin does not actually do that to maintain you trying fairly. The true function of desquamation is to rid our pores and skin of older cells, which usually tend to include environmental pollution, microorganisms, and broken proteins. The pores and skin, as you already know by now, is a dwelling change organ, and it must be in good condition to do its many roles effectively.
The difficulty is that our pores and skin turns into a lot much less efficient at desquamation as we age: the matrix during which pores and skin cells sit (like a organic glue that holds them collectively) turns into thicker and doesn’t let go of older cells as simply. The result’s uninteresting pores and skin with much less of that wholesome glow you had while you have been in your teenagers. So, exfoliation is a technique you’ll be able to assist your pores and skin keep up to the mark with its pure “freshening up” course of, restoring your pores and skin to a brighter, illuminated look. The trick, after all, is to exfoliate the best means, with the best frequency. If performed too harshly or too typically, you’ll take away too many layers of pores and skin cells from the stratum corneum, and injury your pores and skin’s barrier operate. Over-exfoliated pores and skin will seem purple, irritated, blotchy, and situations similar to dermatitis, zits, and rosacea can turn out to be extra seen. As with nearly all the things in life, moderation and stability are key. So, let’s speak about strategies of exfoliation.
HOW DO I EXFOLIATE MY SKIN?
There are a number of strategies of exfoliation, and right here we’ll deal with those you are able to do at house, quite than the dearer dermatology workplace choices, like microdermabrasion and chemical peels.
Mechanical Exfoliation
This entails utilizing a textured merchandise like a brush or a product with granules to take away lifeless pores and skin cells on the floor. The quantity of stress or the dimensions of the granules will rely on the kind of pores and skin you are exfoliating. For instance, you may attempt dry brushing the pores and skin of your physique each morning earlier than showering, utilizing a pure bristle brush, which might be a lot too harsh to your face. Or you can use a product like our Himalayan Physique Buff within the bathe, however you’ll by no means need to use salt granules for a facial scrub—your facial pores and skin is just too skinny and delicate for a salt scrub.
On the subject of the face, it’s worthwhile to use about 1/tenth the stress, and softer supplies. The best methodology of facial exfoliation is to make use of a tender, damp washcloth in your face in very mild circles. Our konjac sponge is one other nice choice. It has a barely smoother texture than a washcloth, making it secure for every day use. Alternatively, you should use merchandise with very fantastic, mechanically-exfoliating elements, similar to clay, botanical powders, oat or almond flour, super-fine shells designed for dermatologic use, or different floor grains. In our Detox Exfoliating Masks, the mixture of clay, uncooked cacao powder, and natural walnut shells makes for a mild mechanical exfoliation, with the additional benefit of activated charcoal to tug pollution from the pores and skin cells that keep behind.
It doesn’t matter what mechanical exfoliation methodology you utilize, gentle stress would be the key to your success. You are not scrubbing the kitchen counter—that is your pores and skin! Elbows, legs, and higher arms can take average stress, however the pores and skin in your face ought to be handled very gently, utilizing solely as a lot stress as is required to maneuver the product round your face. In case your face is tremendous purple after a remedy, you are utilizing an excessive amount of stress!
Chemical or Enzyme Exfoliation
Elements like alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, lactic acid, and Vitamin A piece to loosen lifeless pores and skin cells and enhance cell regeneration charges. Maybe one of the best identified of those therapies is Retin-A, which is a type of Vitamin A used to extend collagen synthesis and assist reverse the results of long-term UV publicity. Sadly, it’s not really helpful for tremendous delicate pores and skin or for pregnant girls. It may well trigger redness, excessive solar sensitivity, dryness, itching, peeling, and burning. However, should you’re prepared to robust out the unintended effects, you’ll probably see some enchancment in pores and skin texture over time.
If, like me, your pores and skin doesn’t tolerate Retin-A, there are gentler choices with little to no threat. For instance, pumpkin and papaya are wealthy in alpha-hydroxy acids, in addition to Vitamin A, C, and zinc, all of which might help exfoliate the pores and skin, fight zits, and diminish hyperpigmentation. Tomato is filled with Vitamin C and lycopene, a carotenoid with potent antioxidant advantages. Lactic acid, present in milk merchandise, helps break down the matrix the place previous pores and skin cells reside, permitting them to slough away extra simply. Enzymes in grains like quinoa, amaranth, and rice can do the identical, and present a really silky texture when combined with water, activating their enzyme exercise.
WHEN SHOULD I EXFOLIATE MY SKIN?
The fundamental reply is not too typically! Individuals have a tendency towards overdoing it within the exfoliation division as a result of it feels good, your pores and skin feels softer afterwards, and you’re feeling such as you’ve taken an energetic function in enhancing your pores and skin. However, as talked about above, an excessive amount of of this good factor is feasible. place to start out is as soon as per week for the face and twice per week for the physique. Take note of how your pores and skin responds. For those who’re purple or irritated, it’s worthwhile to tone it down. For those who do not discover any distinction, possibly you’ll be able to enhance the frequency barely. Keep in mind, the aim is to get rid of tough, uninteresting pores and skin cells that refract gentle inconsistently and trigger a less-than-luminous look, and to encourage cell regeneration deeper within the pores and skin layers, all with out leaving the pores and skin uncooked or indignant. It is an exquisite stability while you strike it, so experiment and discover out what works to your pores and skin. Want some nice choices? Right here you go!
With love and a perfectly-exfoliated glow from us to you,
