shed what’s dead – when and how should you exfoliate?

Let's face it, as we develop in ‘maturity’ (ahem… age) those amazing teeny tiny skin cells of ours just don’t renew as fast as they used to. Instead of being jealous of adorable little babies for having such beautiful and soft skin, follow along while we dive into what you need to know about exfoliation: a key to achieving the softest skin.

Do you feel like creams and lotions don't seem to do their work? Does your skin feel consistently rough?

It may be true (sigh). If you don’t exfoliate on a regular basis, the luxurious feeling of lotions, creams, and serums may just be resting on your top layer of skin and don’t always permeate the surface. This can greatly contribute to product build-up, dead skin cells, and even blocked pores. Dang!

A little exfoliation will help expedite skin cell turnover without causing damage – and remember, less is more.

physical exfoliants

A satisfying way to remove dead skin cells and revitalize your epidermis. Physical exfoliants work by manually removing dead cells from the surface of the skin. Use these exfoliants once or twice a week if you have mature, dry, or sensitive skin, and a maximum of three times if you have oily or clogged pores. Because your skin repairs during the night, morning is best for scrubbing away those dead skin cells you no longer need.

Pro Tip: If you use different types of exfoliants such as masks in addition to your regular exfoliating cleanser, use the two for a total of 2 or 3 times a week.

chemical exfoliants

Chemical exfoliants help to dissolve connections between skin cells so they may be more easily shed. Since chemical exfoliants do not involve rubbing the skin, they are generally more suitable for sensitive skin. You may use them daily, every second day, or every third day, depending on the concentration.

BHA

BHA has the ability to dive deep past the surface to loosen dead skin and clear out those miniature openings as they aid in the fight against bacteria.

AHA

AHA reveals healthy skin. These powerful bad boys help you shed dead skin cells and aid in awakening your natural ability to produce collagen. Their benefits go beyond just exfoliation and are particularly great for delivering anti-aging results!

enzymatic

Enzymatic exfoliants are highly effective and the favourite for sensitive skin. They work similarly to an AHA but will work in conjunction with your body heat and motion from the fingers to help activate.

safety first!

If you experience any of the following, STOP and give your skin the chance it needs to fully heal. Avoid retinol, and go for soothing, calming care until your skin is showing no more signs of irritation. Over-exfoliating can dramatically damage skin!

irritation, burning, or peeling • redness and inflammation • breakouts, especially small pimples • increased sensitivity

A wax-like texture can be confused for a healthy glow. In reality, it’s anything but. In fact, it’s the result of wiping away skin cells and natural oils, allowing premature exposure of underlying skin. This is a sign of over-exfoliation.