Exfoliating is a main step in caring for your skin. When you exfoliate you are literally removing dead cells on the surface. Our skin naturally sheds monthly but our skin care routine can often clog up our pores and build up extra dead cells on the skin.

When you exfoliate you renew your skin. It’s such a simple thing to do and you get incredible benefits. The process is a mild abrasive so it’s important to know how often to do it and what you should use to do it properly.

Even if you use a great cleanser and moisturizer your skin might not be as healthy as it could be. As we age, our cell regeneration slows down, too. What this means is as we get older our skin isn’t shedding older cells and making news ones as often. So we have to help it out.

Exfoliation done properly removes the barrier of dead skin cells and then the newer ones below it are exposed. This allows the new cells to absorb the moisturizing products better, too.

It’s the unhealthy, old skin cells that dull our appearance. The aging process slows the skin renewal and that makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible. On the contrary, healthy skin cells are smoother and appear tighter.

What is the best way to exfoliate?

This depends on your complexion and sensitivity of your skin. If you have acne or really sensitive skin then please consult a professional before you embark on any skin care regime so you get the proper instructions for your skin.

I like to use a manual scrub but it’s not necessary. There are great products available that do not require any manual scrubbing. Some would say this is the better option for the face because it’s so delicate.  And always avoid the eye area.

Benefits of exfoliation

The fresh skin coming the surface is the obvious benefit but others include:

• brightens complexion
• increases blood circulation
• improves tone
• removes debris (congestion in pores)
• reduces breakouts
• reduces appearance of hyper pigmentation
• reduces dark spots
• helps skin absorb skincare products
• makeup looks better
• keeps skin tags from developing

It is important to exfoliate your face and body. Incorporate it as part of your skin care regimen. You do not want to strip away your natural oils, so be sure not to overuse. Drink lots of water to help drain the toxins and apply a good quality oil to hydrate the skin from the outside.

Some body scrubs to try:

Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub

Brown sugar scrub infused with coconut to buff the skin.

Patyka Body Scrub

A French brand created with an aromatic scent to pamper your skin.

Alba Botanica Revitalizing Sea Salt Hawaiian Body Scrub

Revitalizing sea salt Hawaiian body scrub with nourishing jojoba, macadamia, avocado and sweet almond oils provide hydration.

Some great products for your face:

Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser

Soap-free formula gently exfoliates while it cleans.

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Scrub

A scrub packed with antioxidants that remove impurities and leaves skin radiant.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

A two-in-one scrub gently exfoliates.

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

Rice powder absorbs oil at the same time the lactic and salicylic acids remove dead skin cells so the strawberry and rhubarb infuse skin with antioxidants.

Eminence Pear & Poppy Seed Microderm Polisher

A gentle enzyme peel removes the dead skin cells while the yam and pumpkin makes it look radiant.

DERMA E Microdermabrasion Scrub with Dead Sea Salt Scrub

Enriched with natural with natural astringents: Lime and Lemon Peel plus antioxidants Grapeseed and Vitamin E to retexturize skin

Treat your skin well and you will reap all the benefits.

• Exfoliate regularly, three rimes a week is recommended
• Drink water to hydrate from within
• Moisturize to protect and hydrate the skin

Add the exfoliating process to your skin care regimen and you will glow outside and in.

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