You hear a lot about facial exfoliators, that you should exfoliate for smooth skin, but do we know why we are doing it? Or how to exfoliate safely without harming our skin’s barrier? Or even which exfoliator to use and how often to use them? Read more to find out and let’s talk facial exfoliation!
Our skin has a natural cell turn over rate. When we are young, it exfoliates itself every 2 to 4 weeks, leaving us with baby soft smooth skin. As we age, that cell turnover rate slooowws down. As adults, those dead skin cells on the topmost layer of our skin need a little help to exfoliate. Facial exfoliators remove dead skin cells by breaking the bonds that hold them together, allowing new healthy hydrated cells to surface. It improves the appearance of skin tone and radiance, creating a fresh, revitalized glow.
Benefits, why exfoliate?
Facial exfoliation is needed on a regular basis to remove dead skin cell build up and reveal fresh supple skin. The dead skin cell build up on your skin can be blocking the absorption of your serums, actives and moisturizers that you are applying to the skin daily. By exfoliating dead skin cells, you are allowing the serums to be absorbed and do their job.
How often to exfoliate?
I am always an advocate for more is not always better, especially when it come to exfoliation. So, generally speaking, you should perform a facial exfoliation 1-2 times a week, as needed. For some with super sensitive skin, or skin issues, this may be even less. The number of times you exfoliate a week depends on your skin type, type of exfoliator, and what you are trying to achieve. Dry, sensitive and mature skin may want to stick to a chemical exfoliator once a week. Oily and combination skin may be able to handle 2 times a week with chemical or mechanical exfoliators. It is very important not to over exfoliate the skin. Over exfoliating can cause irritation to fresh new skin cells. Irritation, in turn, can cause redness and collagen & elastin to breakdown.
Types of exfoliators
There are two categories of facial exfoliators. Mechanical and Chemical; as they are known in the skincare industry. Don’t let the word ‘chemical’ scare you away (water is a chemical).
Mechanical Facial Exfoliators refer to an exfoliator that is manually moved around the skin in circular motions to remove dead skin cells, mechanically. The skin on the face is delicate, so it is our advice to look for exfoliators with jojoba beads as the exfoliating ingredient. They are biodegradable and perfectly round so they exfoliate the skin evenly and without causing any microscopic tears. Exfoliators with seeds or grains may have jagged edges that might cause microscopic tears in the skin.
Chemical Facial Exfoliators refers to using Enzymes, AHAs or BHAs to shed off the outermost layer of skin cells. These type of exfoliators are applied to the skin, and let sit for a certain amount of time. When applied to the skin, chemical exfoliators digest and break up the bond that holds the dead skin cells together, so that when you rinse it off, the dead skin cells are removed, leaving smooth fresh skin ready to absorb the nutrients and actives in your serums! Chemical exfoliators are also known to improve or increase the cell turnover rate, bonus!
Which Exfoliator for your skin?
Age Corrective
CRANBERRY APPLE ENZYME PEEL
This incredible anti-aging renewal treatment deeply exfoliates using a combination of natural enzymes & AHA’s to eliminate dead skin cells, restore skin’s elasticity, and provide potent antioxidant protection. Apple extracts help hydrate, firm and improve skin tone & suppleness. Cranberries, with its’ 1:1 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 essential fatty acids give it excellent antioxidant activity and skin nourishing benefits. Polyphenols found in cranberries help with skin issues & restore elasticity to aging skin. Nutmeg neutralizes free radicals.
PUMPKIN ENZYME EXFOLIATOR
This proactive treatment actively & deeply removes outer layers of skin cells promoting cellular regeneration. This rich pumping exfoliator infuses skin with active vitamin & bioflavonoids, deeply hydrates & plumps, stimulates collagen product, refines & evens skin tone, and assists with easing hyper pigmentation. Ideal for anti-aging, acne, dry & mature skin and roasacea.
CRANBERRY FACE EXFOLIATOR
This gentle exfoliator uses spherically round Jojoba beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, supple skin.
Cranberry has anti-aging properties due to its’ high in antioxidant & vitamin contents. It helps rejuvenate, moisturize & nourish the skin. Cranberry seed oil has a natural balance of omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids, is rich in Vitamin E and other natural antioxidants. Cranberries help to rejuvenate the skin and are rich in vitamin A. They are also rich in Vitamin C, helping with collagen production.
Oily / Acne
SEA KELP FACE SCRUB This gentle exfoliator uses spherically round Jojoba beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, supple skin. Sea Kelp softens, tones, revitalizes the skin. It also is a natural source of Iodine and helps hold in moisture. Ylang Ylang is great for acne, irritated skin, helps regulate sebum flow, and is balancing. This gentle exfoliator is great for oily to normal skin, but all skin types benefit.
PUMPKIN ENZYME EXFOLIATOR
This proactive treatment actively & deeply removes outer layers of skin cells promoting cellular regeneration. This rich pumping exfoliator infuses skin with active vitamin & bioflavonoids, deeply hydrates & plumps, stimulates collagen product, refines & evens skin tone, and assists with easing hyper pigmentation. Ideal for anti-aging, acne, dry & mature skin and roasacea.
Dry / Congested
ROSEHIP FACE SCRUB
This gentle exfoliator uses spherically round Jojoba beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, supple skin. Rosehip seed oil is great for dry and/or damaged skin, his high in Vitamin A, promotes elasticity and firmness, and helps rebuild skin tissue. Geranium essential oil helps with broken capillaries, congested skin, poor circulation, and regulates sebum flow. This gentle exfoliator is great for dry, mature and normal skin types.
PUMPKIN ENZYME EXFOLIATOR
This proactive treatment actively & deeply removes outer layers of skin cells promoting cellular regeneration. This rich pumping exfoliator infuses skin with active vitamin & bioflavonoids, deeply hydrates & plumps, stimulates collagen product, refines & evens skin tone, and assists with easing hyper pigmentation. Ideal for anti-aging, acne, dry & mature skin and roasacea.
CRANBERRY FACE EXFOLIATOR
This gentle exfoliator uses spherically round Jojoba beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, supple skin.
Cranberry has anti-aging properties due to its’ high in antioxidant & vitamin contents. It helps rejuvenate, moisturize & nourish the skin. Cranberry seed oil has a natural balance of omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids, is rich in Vitamin E and other natural antioxidants. Cranberries help to rejuvenate the skin and are rich in vitamin A. They are also rich in Vitamin C, helping with collagen production.
Sensitive / Rosacea
TROPICAL ENZYME EXFOLIATOR
This light hydrating enzyme mask can both double as a light enzyme exfoliator or a healing hydrating mask. It contains papain (papaya extract) and pineapple extract. Papain is known to lightly exfoliate dead & damaged skin. Papain also helps with freckles, brown spots, burns & wounds. Pineapple extract has moisturizing, anti-aging, antifungal and purifying effects on the skin. Great for sun spots. Lightly exfoliates with out mechanical action, which makes it great for sensitive, cuperous, and roasacea skin. An Aloe vera base gives it its hydrating properties.
ROSEHIP FACE SCRUB
This gentle exfoliator uses spherically round Jojoba beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, supple skin. Rosehip seed oil is great for dry and/or damaged skin, his high in Vitamin A, promotes elasticity and firmness, and helps rebuild skin tissue. Geranium essential oil helps with broken capillaries, congested skin, poor circulation, and regulates sebum flow. This gentle exfoliator is great for dry, mature and normal skin types.