While many desire radiant skin, navigating skin care routines can feel complicated. Exfoliation, in particular, presents various dos and don’ts that can overwhelm you. Fortunately, this personal care regimen isn’t complex. Discover why exfoliation is essential and which method best suits your skin type.
What Is Exfoliation And Why Is It Important?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. It helps improve blood circulation and brighten the skin’s appearance. In a regular skin care regimen, exfoliation products come after cleansing and before moisturizer. These items can dry the skin, so avoid using them daily.
Long-term exfoliating increases collagen production. As you age, your body starts producing less collagen, a protein crucial to improving skin elasticity and reducing signs of aging. If you want to look and feel your best, consider incorporating exfoliants into your skin care routine.
The 2 Types Of Exfoliation
People exfoliate using two methods — physical and chemical. Both processes aim to remove dead skin cells for improved skin appearance and prevent product buildup causing clogged pores. Understand how each works before starting your exfoliation journey.
Physical exfoliation — or mechanical exfoliation — requires you to scrub a product physically onto your skin. The downside of this process is you may scrub too vigorously, which could lead to skin barrier damage and irritation. Examples of physical exfoliators include ground coffee beans, ground sugar, scrubs, brushes and products with beads.
Chemical exfoliation employs alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells. This method also delivers anti-inflammatory properties, eliminating redness, rosacea and skin purging.
AHAs are more gentle on the skin, helping treat surface-level issues such as hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores. On the other hand, BHAs are ideal for acne-prone and oily skin types since they can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and remove excess sebum.
How To Exfoliate Based On Your Skin Type
Both exfoliating types are beneficial for the skin. Since they have differing properties, determining which method best suits your skin type is key to preventing irritation and compromised skin barrier.
Sensitive Skin
If your skin is prone to itching and redness, choose a gentle chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic or lactic acids. Avoid physical exfoliators, as they tend to be too aggressive and lead to further sensitivity.
Before exfoliating, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry with a clean washcloth. Use a towel made of 100% Aegean cotton — a type of Turkish cotton featuring strong, fluffy fibers free from chemicals for sensitive skin. Exfoliate once or twice weekly to avoid irritation.
Acne-Prone Skin
Acne is a common skin problem affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. If you’re prone to breakouts, choose chemical exfoliants containing salicylic acid. These help reduce redness and unclog blocked pores, allowing pimples to shrink. Exfoliate 2-3 times weekly.
Dry Skin
One thing to remember when exfoliating dry skin is to avoid physical exfoliators because they are drying. Opt for gentle products with glycolic acid to boost healthy skin turnover. Also, apply SPF sunscreen in the morning and moisturizer at night to rehydrate your skin. For dry skin, only exfoliate once or twice weekly.
Oily Skin
Use physical exfoliators to remove all layers of buildup on the skin. Natural exfoliants — such as jojoba seeds or microbeads — eliminate dead skin cells and improve circulation. You can also use BHAs like salicylic or citric acid 2-3 times weekly to dry out excess sebum.
Combination Skin
Having combination skin means managing both dry and oily areas of the face. You can use physical and chemical exfoliators to remove dirt and dead skin cells like oily skin. However, you should never use both on the same day, as they can cause irritation. Use a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant with AHAs 2-3 times weekly to avoid over-stripping the skin.
Exfoliate The Right Way
Exfoliation may seem daunting if you’re just starting your skin care journey. Use this guide to help you assess which type of exfoliation method best suits your skin type. By doing so, you can avoid wasting money on trendy products that may not effectively address your skin concerns.