ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SKIN EXFOLIATION

We all dream and wish for a clear glowing skin however, as we get older and our cell turnover slows down, it gets harder and harder to maintain the glow. This is mainly due to dull-looking skin which is the cause of the top layer of dead skin cells. In order to restore the glowing complexion you’d need to get rid of the top layer of the dead skin cells on your skin and you can safely achieve this by incorporating consistent exfoliation into your routine. Now, there are different types of exfoliation from physical dermaplaning to chemical peels. Let's break it down together and learn how to exfoliate properly in order to achieve that glowing complexion we keep dreaming of!

BENEFITS OF EXFOLIATING

By exfoliating you will remove the top layer of dead skin cells and therefore reveal much brighter complexion while getting rid of dullness. Exfoliation is extremely important as it can prevent clogged pores, acne or breakouts and reduce congestion on your skin. By exfoliating our skin can become clearer and younger-looking over time as exfoliation promotes cell turnover and increases collagen production. Not only can you improve and refine the texture of your skin you can also fight any uneven skin tone or hyper pigmentation. Additionally, your skincare products will absorb into your skin faster and penetrate deeper into your skin. Exfoliating is an absolute necessity as it really helps to keep your skin clear and bright while refining your texture.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXFOLIATION

As with everything in the beauty world you can exfoliate your skin in so many different ways. The two main categories of exfoliation are physical and chemical. Both of these exfoliate the dead skin cells, help speed up the cell turnover and reveal brighter, smoother and clearer skin.

However, the difference is that physical exfoliants physically remove the dead skin cells with a brush, bristles, razor, scrub or polish by scrubbing them away. And chemical exfoliants use different acids (BHAs, PHAs, or AHAs) or even enzymes in order to dissolve and loosen the skin cells. It’s actually great to combine both physical and chemical exfoliants and incorporate them both into your skincare routine for the best results. Both of these methods actually complement each other so that you can really improve your skin texture, and reveal radiant complexion while boosting your cell turnover.

Physical exfoliation

As we’ve already mentioned, physical exfoliants actually physically scrub away the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. These would be usually in the form of a facial scrub or some other abrasive ingredient. However, you can gently exfoliate your skin by including a silicone facial cleanser into your cleansing routine. Our Gleam Time is just the tool to be used for that deep-cleansing experience, while it will also gently buff  the dead skin and help to clear the congested pores. 

Another form of physical exfoliation we absolutely love and recommend is dermaplaning/ shaving your face. By scraping off the top layer of your skin with a single bladed dermaplaning razor you will not only remove your facial hair, but you’ll also get rid of any dead skin cells trapped on the top layer of your skin. Afterwards, your face will appear much smoother and brighter. Our Take It Off dermaplaning starter set has everything you need for the ultimate facial exfoliating dermaplaning experience.

Chemical exfoliants

Now chemical exfoliation works on a different principle than physical. Chemical exfoliants use acids in order to dissolve the dead skin and in particular active ingredients such as Lactic, Salicylic, Glycolic Acids and more. Additionally, chemical exfoliants include the products which exfoliate the skin in form of enzymes which would loosen the skin cells in the same way as those active ingredients would. Even though words such as acids or chemicals may sound scary, the process of exfoliation using these is painless as the top layer of your skin cells is already dead. However, if your skin is sensitive, be very careful of which chemical exfoliant you use and how often as they could potentially irritate your skin if not used correctly. 

There is a variety of products that include the exfoliating chemical ingredients; from facial washes, night serums to chemical peels the options truly are endless! 

WING IT TIP: 
We love to use pumpkin enzyme face masks or Alpha Hydroxy Acid peels twice a week to treat our skin and reveal the ultimate glow! Combined with dermaplaning once a month and cleansing with Gleam Time silicone cleanser a few times a week the results are to die for!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO EXFOLIATE

In order to avoid the look of dull skin you need to exfoliate regularly. However, what’s the right amount in order to not irritate your complexion and get the best benefits? Everything really depends on the type of your skin and on what kind of exfoliant you are using. General rule to glowing complexion is to exfoliate once to twice a week, however if your skin is sensitive opt in for gentle exfoliating toner to use nightly and add a stronger treatment once a week. If your skin type is oily and congested you can even exfoliate three to four times a week to really decongest the pores. Also, when it comes to dermaplaning we’d recommend shaving once to twice a month.

It is important to listen to what your skin is telling you in order to avoid irritation or sensitivity. If you witness a high amount of congested pores or breakouts add in the exfoliating product or step into your routine. However, if your skin is going through any form of inflammation or discomfort skip the exfoliation until it will get back to normal. It’s all about balance. 

Do not forget to wear your SPF daily in order to protect your skin from UV rays. As we remove the top layer of the skin, it might become more sensitive to sunshine and more prone to damage it might cause. Choose to wear SPF30 or higher as the last step of your skincare routine in order to protect your skin. 

Exfoliation should be a consistent step in your skincare routine. Buff away those dead skin cells and reveal the glow hidden under!