Skincare 101: Exfoliation

One of the most asked questions I get is: "what should I be doing for a skincare routine?" Do you know that question boggles my mind? I could talk for days on what you should be doing and all the options out there. I've been debating these "skincare posts" for a while, mainly because I literally could go on for days on all your options and, well, I can be overwhelming at times :).

So, I'm going to (attempt to) break it down...


In general, a good skincare routine could look like this:

WEEKLY:

1. Exfoliate: peels, scrubs, masks

DAILY AM & PM:

1. Cleanse
2. Treat
1. Eyes
2. Face
3. (optional, Neck)
3. Moisturize
1. AM = SPF
2. PM = Hydration

Most people get that cleansing and moisturizing are necessary steps. It's usually what happens outside cleansing and before moisturizing where it can get tricky- the possibilities are endless (this makes me giddy!)! So, in the coming weeks I'm going to attempt to breakdown the steps, suggest some products and point out key ingredients to be on the look out for.

Today, let's begin with breaking down the weekly deed of exfoliation.

EXFOLIATE
I firmly believe in weekly, 2xs/week or even daily exfoliation. How often you do it is really up to you and what your skin can handle. Personally, this is one of my favorite skincare products to try.
There are 2 kinds:

1. Chemical Exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation uses ingredients like acids (Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid.... you get the point) or enzymes (from fruit for example). These can be combined with physical exfoliants as well for double the fun.
2. Physical Exfoliation Physical exfoliation uses an abrasive material to physically polish the skin. Materials can range from plastic (seriously) to sugar. Or, this can also be your face polishing tool, like the (wonderful) Clarisonic for example.

Some people prefer physical exfoliation because you can feel it. Others prefer chemical because it's does the job without feeling harsh. 

You can also find exfoliating ingredients in your treatments (retinol is a great example) but I'm focusing on the weekly treatment dedicated to exfoliating the skin.

Why is exfoliating important? Well, your skin cells turnover and hopefully with a great treatment, they are turning over a lot. But where do those skin cells go? Well, honestly, your pillow is one place. But gentle exfoliation helps lift away these dead skin cells and wash them away. This helps against clogged pores (which can lead to breakouts) and rough texture. With your top layer of skin newly polished, this also gets that treatment into your skin to do its job. Over time, regular exfoliation can help in the fight against those fine lines and even hyperpigmentation.

Who should exfoliate? Umm... everyone. Exfoliation is great for those with acne, those concerned with anti-aging and even those with sensitive skin. Unless you have a known skin condition and have been advised by a Dermatologist against exfoliating, the trick is finding the mask, peel or scrub that works for you and your skin.

Tips!

• Be gentle when using a physical exfoliator. Don't push the abrasive beads (or whatever) into your skin. Gently massage the product over your skin and let the product do the work. Avoid eye contact.
• Be patient when using a chemical exfoliator. Directions might say leave on for 3 minutes but it could be best for your skin to leave on for 1 minute to start then build up to 3 minutes.

Beauty Bonus! Exfoliators can help other rough areas of your body too, like your elbows or even feet!

My Product PicKKs!
Chemical/Physical Combo:
philosophy microdelivery peel
www.philosophy.com, $69

Chemical:
Chella Resurfacing Mask Enzyme and Lactic Treatment
www.chella.com, $60

Physical:
Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub
www.burtsbees.com, $8


Note to My Mom:  Don't over do it. While it might be tempting to scrub or peel away, you can damage your skin's natural barrier (which helps keep the good in and the bad out) making your skin sensitive. I would stick to 1-3 times per week unless otherwise instructed or stated. Now, exfoliate!