Health Upp Exfoliating 101 – Neglecting our skin during the busiest days of our lives is something we are all guilty of. Not that we intentionally do it, but juggling your time from one task to another can be very tiring and stressful. Still, you need to nourish your skin to the best of your abilities, mainly if you aim for youthful and glowing skin.
Exfoliating is something that most of us do in our skincare routine. However, not everyone knows what it is for and how to do it properly. Determining the proper way to exfoliate will help you prevent skin damage. We will talk you through the essential information you need to know to make the most out of the benefits you can get from exfoliating. Along with that, you will also find some Korean beauty products you may use for a more effective routine.
What does Exfoliation Mean?
Skin exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells on the surface of your skin using an exfoliant. There are two exfoliants you can use: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation uses fine granules, sponges, brushes, and other skincare tools made for exfoliating. It requires gentle scrubbing to get rid of the dead skin cells without damaging your skin.
On the other hand, chemical exfoliation uses acids and enzymes to remove dead skin cells. This exfoliation can penetrate much deeper than physical exfoliation because of the formula. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are the most common chemical exfoliators used in skincare products. AHAs are water-soluble acids that are excellent in removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface—perfect for dry skin. BHAs, on the other hand, are oil-soluble. It can deeply penetrate to unclog any gunk in your pores and preventing blackheads and whiteheads buildup. This acid is ideal for people with oily skin.
Why Should I Exfoliate?
It is vital to take note that our skin goes through a natural exfoliation process every 28 days. However, it slows down as we grow older. If you do not help your skin exfoliate, dead skin cells and other impurities will build upon your skin. If that happens, you will have rough and dull skin. Aside from having brighter, renewed skin, exfoliating can also improve your overall skin health.
If you do your skincare routine religiously without exfoliating, you prevent your skincare products from effectively penetrating your pores. By thoroughly removing any impurities from the skin’s outermost layer, they can do their work much better. If you have dry, oily, and acne-prone skin, exfoliating can also improve your skin’s condition.
How Should I Exfoliate My Face Correctly?
The number of times you should exfoliate will depend on your skin type, but most experiments will recommend you to do it two to three times a week. However, you should adjust based on how your skin reacts. Also, it is essential to use a gentle exfoliating product to avoid unexpected damages to your skin.
Physical Exfoliating
We recommend using a gentle scrub like SKINFOOD Black Sugar Perfect Essential Scrub for physical exfoliating. Always start exfoliating after cleansing, then take enough face scrub and start scrubbing gently in a circular motion. Refer to your face scrub’s recommended time to avoid irritating your skin. Use warm water for rinsing and pat your skin gently with a towel. If you are not comfortable with sugar or salt scrubs, you should go for peeling gels. Most peeling gels, including SKINFOOD Pineapple Peeling Gel, are gentler than most scrubs in the market.
Chemical Exfoliating
Most experts say that chemical exfoliators are much gentler than scrubs. However, you can easily over-exfoliate yourself by using these products. Most chemical exfoliants are applied just like any other product in your skincare routine. Always refer to your product’s label for step-by-step instructions. Also, never forget to wear gentle sunscreens like SKINFOOD Sun Flower No Sebum Sun Gel after exfoliating, as your skin will be more vulnerable from the UV rays.
How Do I Know If I Over-Exfoliated?
Over-exfoliation is very easy to spot. Once you notice any abnormal redness, extreme sensitivity, and irritation on your skin, it has been over-exfoliated. As much as exfoliating can help your skin, it can also damage your skin when done incorrectly.
Conclusion
Proper exfoliating will make your skin healthier and brighter, but it also poses risks for people who exfoliate their face just because they want to. Establishing an excellent exfoliating schedule and using gentle yet effective products will significantly improve your skin’s overall health.