3 Alternatives to Makeup Wipes
July 3, 2024
Everybody wants smooth, glowing skin and one of the best ways to get that is with regular at home face exfoliation.
Getting rid of dead, dull skin cells on the surface of the face helps give skin a smoother, more even look and reveals a fresher looking complexion. It should be incorporated into your regular beauty routine.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a closer look at how, why and when you should exfoliate.
What Is Exfoliation?
In the simplest terms, exfoliating is the removal of dead, redundant skin cells from the top layer of the skin. This helps reveal the fresh, glowing skin underneath it.
There are multiple ways to exfoliate your face:
1. Facial Brush
A facial brush either with a rotating head of soft bristles, or a soft circular brush. By wetting the brush and using a circular motion on the face, you can exfoliate your complexion.
2. Physical Exfoliant
A physical exfoliant is an abrasive scrub or paste. These kinds of scrubs tend to have a chunky texture, as they contain ingredients like crushed walnut shells or apricot kernels. Less abrasive exfoliators may be formulated with rice powder, which is mixed with water to create a paste. Some products contain sugar, salt or jojoba beads. The beauty of a physical exfoliant is that it gives you instant gratification, as your skin instantly feels smoother and softer.
3. Chemical Exfoliant
A chemical exfoliant is typically made from an acid such as an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or a BHA (beta hydroxy acid). They work in a gentle manner to dissolve dead skin cells. These acids are generally derived from fruits and plants.
Enzymes derived from fruits such as pineapple (bromelain), papaya (papain) and pomegranate are also popular in exfoliators, but they do not penetrate as deeply as an AHA or BHA.
What’s the difference between AHA and BHA?
AHAs include lactic, glycolic, mandelic and tarteric acid. Anyone who is new to exfoliation or has sensitive skin should start with lactic acid, which is one of the most gentle. Normal skin can could use a glycolic acid.
BHAs help to tackle acne and oil-clogged pores, and zap bacteria on the skin. They are also anti-inflammatory. The most common is salicylic acid, which is often found in acne products.
Why You Need to Exfoliate
Our skin constantly heals and repairs itself, but as we age cell regeneration slows down.
That is why it is critical to add at home face exfoliation to your skincare routine to keep that process moving.
Getting rid of old, dead skin cells is key because when they build up, they can cause the face to look dull. Dry, dead skin can also clog pores, leading to breakouts, blackheads, enlarged pores and acne. Dead skin cells can also accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.
Exfoliating regularly helps keep all of that at bay.
Wiping out those dead skin cells helps the skin look brighter, and freshens up the complexion leaving it looking soft, youthful and glowing. Regular exfoliation also helps improve the texture of the skin, so your face will also look and feel smoother.
Aside from improving your skin’s appearance, there are other benefits to exfoliating.
By getting rid of dead skin cells, it helps products like moisturizer and serum work more effectively as they can penetrate deeper into the skin, without a layer of dead skin cells in the way. Improving the skin’s texture to create a smooth canvas also helps makeup glide on more easily and look good throughout the day.
Should I Exfoliate if I Have Acne?
Anyone with acne-prone skin may think it best to avoid exfoliating, as it may inflame the skin, but the opposite is true. Exfoliating can help clean out the clogged pores which lead to blemishes.
If you have blemish-prone skin, opt for a chemical exfoliator (containing BHA, such as salicylic acid) which will be more gentle to the skin, and can also help to fade acne scars. Ensure you do not over do it with harsh scrubbing and chemicals, as it will backfire; over-dry skin can kick start oil production.
Body Scrubs vs Facial Scrubs?
Body scrubs and facial scrubs are formulated very differently and should not be interchanged. A body scrub (or polish) usually contains chunky ingredients like salt, sugar or coffee grounds. These are far too harsh for the face, which has some of the thinnest skin on the body. A body scrub could also contain hydrators like mineral oil, which is fine for your legs, but could clog facial pores.
Using a face scrub on the body is fine, although it may not be strong enough for stubborn spots such as heels and knees.
If you are narrowing down body scrub choices, keep in mind that salt-based body scrubs often have sea salt which are thought to help get rid of toxins.
The Best Way to Exfoliate Your Face
- Before you reach for your exfoliator, ensure your face is clean.
- Using an appropriate cleanser for your skin type, remove any dirt, makeup and sweat.
- After cleansing, apply a small amount of exfoliator to the face. If using a physical exfoliant, use a dollop about the size of a quarter and apply it in circles to the face, avoiding the eye area. Be sure to use a light touch – less is definitely more when scrubbing.
- Rinse the product thoroughly and then apply your regular serum and moisturizer.
- Post exfoliation is also a great time to apply a hydrating sheet mask.
If you are using a chemical exfoliant, which are also sometimes called peels, it’s important to follow the directions on the product. Some are meant to be applied overnight while others should be left on for about 10 minutes or so. You may feel a slight tingling when the product is applied and that’s normal; severe discomfort is not. Chemical exfoliation products come in liquids such as toners, serums masks and peels, as well as pads soaked with glycolic or salicylic acid which can be swiped over the face.
It may be tempting to exfoliate every day, but scrubbing your face is not like scrubbing a bathtub. Too much exfoliation can also backfire, causing skin to be red, irritated and inflamed, especially if you use a physical exfoliant. The chunky physical exfoliants should be used weekly at most.
As a rule of thumb, exfoliating two to three times a week should be sufficient, but it depends on your skin type, skin age and if you have any issues such as rosacea or eczema.
Anyone who is using a retinol-laced product may also experience more sensitivity when exfoliating.
When it comes to exfoliation, slow and steady wins the race. Start slowly and build your way up to a using the product a few times a week.
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Eileen Fauster is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist; she specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.
