Exfoliation is key to creating glowing skin with an even texture and natural, radiant glow. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, speeds up cell turnover and enhances the effectiveness of other skincare products you may use.
Do not be scared away by the word chemical; there are gentle options suitable for all skin types available that will dissolve the “glue” binding dead skin cells together and enable them to loosen and flake off more easily.
1. Removing Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliation can help rid the skin of dead cells that build up over time, leaving the complexion looking dull and flaky. Exfoliating can remove these dead skin cells while speeding up cell turnover resulting in brighter and more radiant looking skin.
Exfoliation can help ensure skincare products are more effectively absorbed by the body, since dead skin cells don’t block up absorption channels and inhibit performance of cleanser, moisturizer and anti-aging serums. Regular exfoliation also enhances product effectiveness – such as cleanser, moisturizer and anti-age serums – in this regard.
2. Smoother Skin Texture
No matter whether your skin is oily, dry or normal, regular exfoliation can help smooth away bumps, rough patches and enlarged pores. For oily or acne-prone skin types, stronger chemical or physical exfoliants such as scrubs or salicylic acid may also help unclog pores more effectively.
But it’s essential that you exfoliate carefully, in order to prevent irritation or dryness of the skin. Start by using an at-home exfoliator a couple of or three times each week followed by applying light moisturizer afterward.
3. Even Skin Tone
Exfoliation, wearing sunscreen daily and prioritizing skincare will all contribute towards creating even skin tone; while perfect skin may never exist. But taking steps such as exfoliating regularly, not picking at any blemishes and prioritizing skincare will all help reduce discoloration.
For effective hyperpigmentation control, try using a liquid exfoliator formulated with turmeric or Kate Somerville’s Liquid ExfoliKate Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment which contains powerful acids mixed with pumpkin, pineapple and papaya enzymes.
4. Brighter Skin
Physical or chemical exfoliators help slough away dead skin cells to brighten skin tone. Chemical exfoliants containing acids such as salicylic acid (which unclogs pores), Neoglucosamine (which reduces hyperpigmentation), or Lactic acid (which hydrates) work especially well at revitalizing complexion.
Skin that appears dull may be due to slow cell turnover; exfoliation can help stimulate this process and ensure other skincare products penetrate better – meaning your glow-boosting, wrinkle-fighting and moisturising regimen will be even more effective!
5. Reduced Appearance of Hyperpigmentation
No matter the cause of discoloration – dark spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma – exfoliation can help fade discolorations by breaking up excess pigment that contributes to it. Just make sure that when selecting a physical exfoliator with small granules like sugar, ruby crystals or jojoba beads for use versus larger exfoliators like crushed nutshells or seashells which could potentially irritate sensitive skin and cause micro-tears irritate sensitive skin or cause micro-tears when exfoliated correctly.
Chemical exfoliators such as glycolic acid or lactic acid work to lighten pigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and increasing cell turnover. Once exfoliation has taken place, use brightening corrective serums or creams that penetrate better after being applied directly after exfoliating to further lighten your pigmentation.
6. Improved Moisture Absorption
Skin exfoliators can boost the efficacy of other skincare products by exfoliating away dead cells that block hydration, helping reduce ingrown hairs, minimize pores sizes and superficial scarring, as well as helping reduce ingrown hairs and ingrown hairs.
Physical exfoliants, like scrubs or face mitts with textured surfaces, feature small particles designed to buff away dead skin cells. On the other hand, chemical exfoliators offer gentler exfoliation by breaking apart bonds between dead cells to slough them away more gently.
7. Reduced Breakouts
Exfoliation can help keep pores unclogged, enhance tone and texture, and prevent clogs. Your choice of exfoliator depends on your skin thickness and sensitivity – physical exfoliators loosen and sweep away dull cells while chemical ones dissolve the glue that holds them together so they slough off instead of clogging pores.
Gentle physical scrubs such as this one from Sephora were given 4.7 stars from shoppers. Meanwhile, Dermalogica offers gel-based products with powerful acids to brighten skin, reduce oiliness, and fight acne.
8. Helps Maximise the Efficacy of Your Other Skincare Products
While there’s no time machine or miracle elixir that will give your complexion back its youth, exfoliation is one of the best ways to maintain fresh and radiant complexion. Just make sure your physical exfoliator has small uniform granules like ruby crystals or jojoba beads – rather than using crushed nutsshells or fruit pits which may cause micro-abrasions which weaken skin barrier function and lead to micro-tears (tears) which compromise its integrity.
Exfoliating too often can damage the skin, so be wary when exfoliating more than twice every week, especially if you have oily skin. Follow up your exfoliation session with gentle cleanser and rich moisturizer.
