How to Exfoliate - Best Ways for Your Skin Type

To make your skin smoother, brighter, and more radiant, exfoliation works to remove dead skin cells from your face or body.

Though dead skin cells are shed naturally on a monthly basis, exfoliating helps to accelerate the process and remove any build-up of dead skin cells.

There are two main ways you can exfoliate your skin, namely physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. With physical exfoliation, you physically scrub your skin with a tool or product, such as a brush, sponge, or scrub, to remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, involves the use of acids, enzymes, or other chemicals to break down and dissolve dead skin cells. These exfoliation techniques carry different benefits, and the best option for you depends on your skin’s specific needs.

Exfoliation can be done mechanically, chemically, or using natural enzymes. The best technique for you will depend on your skin type and desired outcomes.

Mechanical Exfoliation: Also called physical exfoliation, using a tool or cleanser to physically scrub the skin. Use a washcloth, loofah, or exfoliating scrub to do this. While mechanical exfoliation can be efficient, if not done correctly, it can also be rough on the skin and irritate it.

Chemical Exfoliation: This technique includes dissolving dead skin cells using acids or enzymes. Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are the two primary forms of chemical exfoliation (BHAs). AHAs are water-soluble and dissolve dead skin cells from the skin's surface. BHAs can reach deeper layers of the skin since they are oil-soluble, clearing clogged pores and removing dead skin cells.

Enzyme Exfoliation: Dead skin cells are broken down utilizing organic enzymes in this process. This kind of exfoliation is ideal for delicate skin since it is frequently gentler than mechanical or chemical exfoliation.

Choosing the correct exfoliator to suit your skin type is essential to avoid unnecessary damage that can lead to more serious problems. Consider whether you skin is oily, dry, sensitive, or combination before you choose the appropriate product.

Oily skin:

Oily skin tends to have more build-up than other skin types, so a manual exfoliator is a great solution. For oily skin prone to black heads, a facial scrub or cleanser with ingredients such as BHA or salicylic acid is a great option.

Dry skin:

 Dry skin is prone to micro tears that can cause damage to the skin, so it’s best to avoid physical scrubs when exfoliating. Rather choose a chemical exfoliator with ingredients such as AHAs or glycolic acid for the best results.

Sensitive skin:

 For sensitive skin, it's important to use mild chemical exfoliants and avoid mechanical exfoliating all together. Enzyme-based exfoliants are a great option in this regard.

Combination: 

Combination skin is a mixture of different skin types, so a mixture of different exfoliation methods is often the best way to treat oily, dull or dry areas. Be sure to stick to one method at a time, however, and don’t scrub on the same day you use a peel or chemical exfoliant.

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