Exfoliation is a process of encouraging dead skin cells to go away from our skin surface using Chemical, Physical, Home remedies, or any tool. Our cellsโ life span is about four to six weeks. The outer layer of our skin is called Epidermis whose thickness varies from place to place. We often heard that our eye area is sensitive, well itโs not sensitive but thin. So when our skin cells died, we remove them by exfoliating them. But the question is do we need them? And there are many questions regarding this. I tried to answer clearly, please follow those given links to know more about those points. Here are my All-Time Favorite Exfoliators you may check!
Some FAQ On Exfoliating
Why Do We Need to Exfoliate?
In a simple answer, dead skin cells do not remove on their own all the time, especially when we age. So we stimulate the process so that our skin does not look dull and dead. It will help to get clear, smoother skin with a natural glow. Also removing dead cells mean the next product you will apply to your face or body, will get absorbed better!
Is Exfoliating Good or Bad for Skin?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation can make your skin brighter and improve the effectiveness of topical skincare products by enhancing absorption. So the answer is Exfoliation is not bad, itโs good if you do it correctly and safely.
How does Scrubbing Damage your skin?
Now, Scrubbing is not harmful, but overdoing it will upset the outer layer of your skin, which protects the Dermis layer. When our outer layer is covered by dead skin cells, it does not look good, but in the daytime, it protects our skin from UV rays a little bit. Exposing new skin means, those have to face the Sun, which causes easy tanning, and burning.
Dr Sharad
How Long Should You Scrub Your Face For?
With Physical scrubbers, gently massage your face for 30secs to 1 min. What I do is, I donโt rub my whole face for one minute, I gently massage my face and neck for 30-40 seconds, and then focus on around the nose and mouth, and a little bit on the forehead. Then you can keep it for a minute if your product has extra properties. For the body though, I donโt mind scrubbing for 5 minutes because of ingrown hair, strawberry legs, and other problems.
How to Exfoliate Perfectly?
We canโt scrub for a long time because that will do more harm than good to our skin. 40 seconds of massaging are not enough to remove the dead cells. So what to do! Wet your face for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes. Use your face towel dab it in warm water then keep it on your face for five minutes. After that take the exfoliator whatever you want to use and massage it (for physical scrubber) in a circular motion for 30 seconds to one minute, very gently with your fingertips where the presser is minimum. Then leave it for another one minute, without rubbing it. And lastly, wash it with cold or lukewarm water.
How Often Should I Exfoliate?
Cell-life-cycle is four to six weeks. Some say itโs okay to exfoliate a maximum of three times a week. I donโt feel it, so I donโt do it. Simple. For me, the maximum is two times a week. There are weeks when I do scrubbing a single time. But what I believe is it depends on skin type. And itโs true whatever skin you have doesnโt exfoliate more than three times, thatโs enough.
When I should Exfoliate? Morning or Night?
It does not matter when you exfoliate, but if you have to choose then choose nighttime. There are several reasons. 1st, the Skin absorbs rich nourishing products at night time. Exfoliating increases absorption level. So bonus above bonus, you are getting all the nutrition. 2nd, scrubbing or exfoliating increases skin sensitivity because it exposes the living cells. In the daytime, the skin has to face Sun, and using a thick layer of sunscreen every one-two hour is tough and, okay I confess, itโs uncomfortable. But you have to if youโre scrubbing in the daytime, to protect your very new and sensitive cells.
How Do I Know If You Are Over Exfoliating?
If your skin becomes red, irritated, dry, tight, and flaky that means you over exfoliated. If you are getting more breakouts day by day, either you donโt exfoliate or you are overdoing it. Do you ever feel sunburn, I feel it often because my tone is not warm. Itโs a light burning, but a chill sensation on your cheek. If youโre feeling something like it, after scrubbing then also you did it over.
How Many Types of Exfoliators are There?
There are mainly two types of Exfoliators are there, Chemical and Mechanical or Physical exfoliators.
What is Chemical Exfoliants?
Chemical exfoliants remove the dead skin cells from the face or body by using acidic substances in the exfoliator. Popular Chemical exfoliant ingredients are Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), Beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), Polyhydroxy acids (PHA), Lactic, Salicylic, Glycolic acid, etc.
What are Physical Exfoliants?
Physical exfoliants remove the dead skin cells from the face and body by scrubbing the product, material, or any item on our skin. Popular mechanical exfoliant ingredients are microfiber cloths, apricot, almond, sugar, salt crystals, crushed volcanic rocks, loofah, etc.
Which is better, Chemical or Physical Exfoliator?
Chemical exfoliants where the presence of acid is very low or minimal level, that does not harm or you have an allergic reaction. But for physical scrubbers, itโs easy to do mistakes because of how much pressure our skin needs, it is controlled by our fingers. Which will not be accurate. But also when it comes to removing the thick dull layer of dead skin cells, a physical scrubber works well and instantly. So it depends, everything has pros and cons.
Should I use a Chemical or Physical Exfoliator?
If you have normal to oily, acne-prone skin, or less sensitive skin itโs okay or better to use Physical scrubbers. If you have dry, flaky, less sensitive skin itโs okay or better to use chemical exfoliants. Remember Physical scrubbers can make your skin brighter almost instantly by removing dead cells, and freeing oils, whereas mild chemicals work mildly for smooth skin in long run. And you can use both as per the occasion. If thereโs a special event physical scrubber can do a quick job. If you have very sensitive skin, use chemical exfoliants with gluconolactone, and retinol (lowest concentration).
How to Exfoliate Different Types of Skin?
For sensitive skin, use mild PHA like gluconolactone (less irritating than AHA). For dry skin, you can use AHA, BHA followed by a deep moisturizer. You may wanna avoid physical exfoliants. For oily, nonsensitive skin you may use strong chemical exfoliants and physical exfoliants too. But if your skin is oily and very acne-prone, donโt use strong acids on your face, use moderate chemical exfoliants and a physical scrubber occasionally.
Is it Okay to Exfoliate Sensitive or/and Acne-Prone Skin?
First of all, remember your skin can be sensitive or acne-prone, or both. For sensitive skin using mild exfoliants like PHA is good. For acne-prone mild to moderate chemicals and gently scrubbing physically is okay. But things get tricky when itโs both. You have to contrate on what you can cure first. Stop exfoliating for a month. Use a good clay mask to absorb oil. French green clay is good both for sensitive and oily skin. Rose clay is good both for normal to dry and sensitive skin.
Is It a Good Idea to Exfoliate Before Wearing Makeup?
Some think itโs a good idea, I donโt. Well, first see why some things itโs a good idea. Because exfoliating makes your skin smoother and it makes the skin a perfect canvas for applying paints. If you donโt know makeup can make your flaws more visible like a pimple. On the other hand, I, do not care how Iโll look with makeup but without makeup, am concerned. Exfoliating makes skin more active to absorb products. Which sounds wrong when it comes to makeup. I get it you will wear primer. But, donโt forget, it also makes skin a little sensitive for a few hours (even if we do it correctly and do not feel the irritation, redness, or anything). Again, another bad idea is to apply makeup on sensitive skin. You can do it if you want, Iโll never. Tip: You always can do exfoliating before going to bed, that way you are not applying makeup also, the next day, morning, or evening occasion, your skin is already ready!
What do I Need to Use Next After Exfoliating?
Why not I give you the whole order of using products? Rember itโs not necessary to use them all, just skip to the next step you have. Here are the steps and orders you need to follow!
- Oil Cleansing. First Step of Double Cleansing.
- Cleanser (Water-based) or Facewash. Instead of using both some may use Cleansing cream, balm, or milk with an emulsifier which will help to remove all kinds of oily, watery dirt from the skin
- Exfoliate
- Detoxifying
- Mist spray. You may use Softener in this step.
- Toning and Moisturizing deep with Rich Korean Toners.
- Essence
- Serum
- Ampoule
- Sheet Mask (Conditions are applied on which step you need to use it based on the texture of your sheet mask, READ THE POST)
- Lotions
- Moisturizer
- Eye Cream
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
Confused about why I kept some products in this way? Hereโs my explanation that why you need to use products in this way!
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Thereโs a lot to know! These answers are not enough, Follow those given links in each section if you wanna know about them. Donโt hesitate to ask me any questions in the comment if you have any. Have Happy, Clean skin ๐
