How Can I Exfoliate My Skin Safely?
- Apurav Kumar
- Oct 1, 2022
- 5 min read
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But, before exfoliating your skin you need to a lot of things about it, as it's not for everyone. Below we discuss, what types of exfoliates are there? how you should exfoliate according to your skin? and how many times you need to do it?
It's important to know these things, so that, you would avoid any of those mistakes, which may damage your skin, increase redness, irritation or acne. Because every type of exfoliation may not suit every types of skin.
Types of Exfoliation
There are mainly two types of exfoliation, physical or chemical.
1. Physical Exfoliation: Physical or mechanical exfoliation is where you use any kind of tool to scrub your skin, which helps your skin to remove the dead skin cells. You can use exfoliating brush, sponge, glove or scrub, as per your choice. You can lather any of these tools with soap or body wash and rub it gently on your skin in circular motion, when you are taking shower or washing your face. Some brushes are also designed for dry scrubbing.
2. Chemical Exfoliation: A chemical exfoliator are usually face wash, scrub, facial peel pad, or moisturizers with glycolic acid. Chemical exfoliators usually contain AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy acids), which are glycolic, lactic, citric, and tartaric acids,
or BHAs (Beta-hydroxy acids), examples are salicylic and beta hydroxyl acids.
These chemicals help skin to break dead skin cells bonds from surface of your skin, makes your skin brighter.
How you should exfoliate your skin?
Exfoliation on your skin should be done according to your skin type, and you need to know about in how much frequency you can exfoliate. Also, never exfoliate if you have any open wound or cuts on your skin.
Oily Skin: People having oily skin can do any kind of exfoliation, as there skin may have an extra layer buildup on it's surface because of excess oil and dirt. So, you use mechanical exfoliator to remove that extra layer. But you need to be gentle while rubbing your skin, do it in a circular motion gently , and then wash your face with lukewarm water.
Dry Skin: If you are someone with dry skin, then avoid using physical exfoliators, as it may cause irritation, redness, or it can lead to microtears. So, use mild chemical exfoliators which can help you to remove those dead skin cells from your skin surface without causing any side effects.
AHAs like lactic or glycolic acid are best for dry skin, as they have mild exfoliating effects which you can use gently on your skin to remove dead skin cells.
Sensitive Skin: If you have a sensitive skin then also you need to avoid mechanical exfoliators. Because physical methods can irritate your skin and can lean to redness.
Use mild, non-irritating exfoliator for your sensitive skin to remove excess oil and dirt, as well as, dead skin cells. You can also take suggestion from a dermatologist, about what type of exfoliator is suitable for your skin and in how frequently you have to use it, if you have sensitive, as well as, acne prone skin.
Normal Skin: If you skin is normal then you can check any kind of exfoliator, whether it is chemical or is mechanical. Any kind of exfoliation is safe for a normal skin type. Even with a very mild exfoliator you remove dead skin cells from your skin, you just need to experiment that which method best for you.
Combination Skin: For that type of skin you need to check both type of exfoliation methods, to know which is best suitable on your skin. Avoid using both at the same day for your experiment, as it can irritate your skin. Some experts also suggest use of exfoliator containing glycolic acid, which is plant based alpha hydroxy acid that removes excess oil and dead skin cells from skin and is safe for both oily and dry skin.
How Frequently should we use exfoliates?
However, experts suggests that you can exfoliate 2-3 times in a week, as long as your skin can handle it. But it also depends on which part of body you are doing, if you are using an exfoliator on a sensitive part, then avoid using it more frequently, but you can use it more frequently on areas which are less sensitive like hands, legs etc. depending on your skin.
According to skin type you, oily skin needs more frequent exfoliation, as compare to dry and sensitive skin. But, talk to a skincare expert to avoid over exfoliation as it can lead to redness and irritation. Also, if you are using chemical exfoliants, then it can be done more frequently depending upon it's effects. If it's a mild exfoliator you can use it more frequently, but if it's a strong exfoliant then use 1-2 times a week.
What are benefits of Exfoliation?
It helps to remove dead skin cells, makes skin more even toned and brighter.
It remove all dry and dead skin cell, unclogs pores, that allow skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin.
It boost circular of blood that helps your body to get rid of toxins.
It improves the production of collagen production, which slows aging.
It also reduce acne production.
When to Stop Exfoliating?
As, I mentioned above that exfoliation is not for everyone, it may cause irritation, redness, or acne depending on your skin type, exfoliant you are using, as well as, how frequently you are using. So, even after taking all the precautions according to your skin, if you notice any type of irritation, redness, peeling, or tingling, that means you need to stop using this method.
Here are some good exfoliation products.
1. Paulas Choice Salicylic Acid Exfoliant: It is one of the best exfoliant, it has salicylic acid, green tea extract and few more ingredients in it, makes it gentle for daily use to remove dead skin cells and excess oil, and make your skin even toned, fine lines and wrinkle free. It comes in a serum form and is good oily, dry, combination and normal skin. Click here to check it out on amazon.
2. Flawsome Cellulite Reducing Coffee Scrub: As the name suggest it's a coffee scrub that helps your skin to increase circulation, improves skin cell turnover, and also slows aging. It is suitable for all skin types.
3. Aveeno Facial Scrub: If you have a sensitive skin then this scrub may be a good choice for you. It has combination of ingredients which makes it suitable for sensitive skin, it gently exfoliate, cleanses, and clarify your face that makes it more brighter and improves skin texture. Click here to check it out on amazon.
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