Why exfoliating can make you look 10 years younger!

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the superficial layer of the skin. This process immediately improves the look and texture of the skin, by exposing the healthier and younger layers, but also helps to clear clogged pores, smooth fine lines, it can prevent ingrown hairs and even acne breakouts. Though you can't see it happening, every minute of the day we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells off the surface of our skin. By exfoliating, we are also promoting a good blood circulation, which helps the skin with new cell regeneration. Cell regeneration promotes collagen, and build resistance against wrinkles. 

By removing dead cells at the surface of the skin we will make it easier for other products to penetrate, and also smooth the skin, removing its roughness and uneven texture.

How often should I exfoliate?

1st things 1st- you must understand the skin type you are exfoliating

2nd – the skin should be prepared properly, double cleansed & toned. 

3rd – after exfoliating, moisturizing and SPF min of 30 is a necessary step. We have to restore the skin’s natural barrier.

If we are new to exfoliating we should start with two days a week.. and gradually build our tolerance up. 

Skin Types

Oily Skin

An oily skin, produces a greater amount of sebum. This usually results in more quantity of “dirt”, acne, and larger pores. We have to remove this build up from the surface of the skin, so exfoliation can be a part of the skin care routine more frequently (twice a week). 

For this skin type, most people find that exfoliating is a huge part of the skincare routine, which can sometimes result in over-exfoliating. When this happens we can experience what is regularly called as a rebound effect, when the skin’s sebaceous glands are stimulated to produce more sebum to compensate for the loss of it due to over-exfoliating. Over exfoliation causes loss of natural oils, and an imbalance in pH levels. 

However, if the skin already presents an abundance of acne lesions resulting in inflammatory acne, exfoliating can aggravate it. You might want to opt to consult with your dermatologist first.

Dry skin

A dry skin can be from genetics, overuse of products, and a deficient in the hydrolipidic layer on the surface of the skin, which makes it more fragile and prone to sensitivity. This skin only needs to be exfoliated once a week, usually. 

Combination skin

This skin is a combination of both types previously addressed. Different areas of the skin will have different needs, so you can exfoliate the oily areas (such as the T zone) more regularly than the normal to dry areas.

Mature/Aging Skin 

Many things change. With the passing of the years the metabolism of the cells becomes slower. From a certain age the skin presents specific characteristics: the amount and activity of the fibroblasts is reduced, as well as collagen. Also, the skin dehydrates and dries up due to the reduction of the cell turnover and sweat and sebum secretions. There are also disorders in the pigmentation and “age darkspots” appear.

All of this added to the exogenous factors that affect and deteriorate daily the skin: sun, tobacco, diet, exterior environment, etc. produce an aged face.

10% of the skins aging process is natural 90% is from environmental factors. 

Types of Exfoliation 

Mechanical exfoliation 

This type of exfoliation removes dead cells through abrasion by using hard particles, usually mixed with a cream, water or oil base in order to make the process smoother.  The particles are either mineral-derived, rice bran, enzymes, nut shells, or made of cellulose polymers. These hard particles scrape the dead cells on top of the skin, providing an effective & aggressive method of dead cell removal. The facial skin is thin, but we usually advise that you choose this method for the body, as it’s less likely that this will irritate the skin. Another method of mechanical exfoliation, which are the cleaning mechanical devices, work in the same way by scrapping the dead cells.

Chemical exfoliation 

Chemical exfoliation is usually a bit more intense. Gets the job done. These chemicals are usually naturally derived acids, extracted from fruits, and are beneficial for the skin. They dissolve the bonds between the superficial cells, making them get loose and fall.  If you think of your skin as constantly shedding...but not being brushed off... these ingredients help to dissolve the dead skin and create a new layer. This results in a gentler way to remove the cells without any direct aggression.  You can even choose the best ingredient for your skin, considering that glycolic acid is the most potent, mandelic and lactic acids are suitable for sensitive skin and salicylic acid is great for oily skin. 

Another way of having this chemical exfoliation is by using natural enzymes. Two that work great for skin are  pineapple or papaya enzymes. This is very effective when done by a professional some people categorize this as “enzymatic exfoliation” and others as chemical. The process is similar to a chemical peel.