You probably have seen women on Youtube and or TV with smooth, glass-like skin. Then, you begin to wonder how to get skin equally smooth and healthy as theirs. With so many skincare products available in the market today, it wouldn’t be surprising to feel confused and overwhelmed. To avoid further confusion, why not start your skincare regime with the basic — exfoliation.
Exfoliation is the process wherein your skin’s dead cells are removed from your epidermis. As we all know, our skin undergoes cell renewal every 30 days or so. During this process, the dead skin cells shed to make room for the new skin cells. However, there are times when the dead skin cells don’t shed entirely, resulting in a rough, dry, and flaky patches. To fix this, you need to exfoliate your skin by yourself using the following methods:
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Physical Exfoliation
Physical exfoliation is probably the most common and traditional method of exfoliation skin. This method is characterized by the use of granular scrub. This scrub features small granules or bristles which remove the dead skin cells manually when rubbed on the skin. Physical exfoliation is not recommended on sensitive skin such as the skin on the face as it can irritate it.
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Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation is a widely used exfoliation method nowadays, which features the use of enzymes and acid-based products to act as an exfoliator by cutting the protein bonds between the skin’s dead cells. When this happens, the dead skin cells will shed on its own and encourages the new skin cells to appear.
The most common chemical exfoliators are those containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Natural AHAs are derived from fruit and milk acids. They are perfect to use in the face and other parts in the body with sensitive skin as it only promotes light exfoliation. AHAs such as glycolic acid or mandelic acid help skin with mild hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and uneven skin tones.
Chemical exfoliators containing BHAs are perfect for acne-prone and sun-damaged skin as the acid penetrates deep into the skin pores, unclog it, remove excess oils, and exfoliates dead skin cells. The most common BHA is salicylic acid. Other known chemical exfoliators include retinoids, enzymes, and peptides.
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Mechanical Exfoliation
Mechanical exfoliation is the most common exfoliation method used in many spas and at-home services. The method involves using a device that will physically remove the dead skin cells from the epidermis. Two popular mechanical exfoliation treatments are Microdermabrasion and Laser treatments.
Exfoliation is very beneficial to your skin. It can unclog pores, boost cellular health, evens your skin tone, help treat skin conditions such as acne, and promotes healthier and more radiant skin. Though there is no such thing as over-exfoliation, it is still important to use exfoliants with caution. If you have sensitive skin, you might like to do away with physical exfoliation. Better yet, talk to your dermatologists to learn about your skin type and to determine which method of exfoliation works best for you.
