Exfoliating your face is something that can bring that ‘sparkle’ back to your complexion, it removes all the leftovers that your daily facial wash doesn’t lift and will leave your skin looking refreshed and glowing with that all-important youthful appearance. Find the Best Way to Exfoliate Your Face.
Why Exfoliate Your Face?
You Exfoliate your face to get rid of ‘dead’ skin cells and to cleanse pores that become clogged up with all the moisturizers and makeup you apply on a daily basis. Yes, your daily face wash and cleansing will help remove some of this but only to a certain degree, to get deep down into the skin this is when slightly stronger products that you use when exfoliating are required.
Moisturiser is applied daily and is an integral part of the process to protect the skin from ageing. When used on the face it moistens the skin, those slightly dry areas soak it up and don’t look so flaky or scaly anymore, this gives the skin a radiant, youthful appearance. The problem this then creates is the ‘dead’ skin cells that are ready to leave your face have also soaked up the moisturizer and so prevents them from falling, which in turn prevents the new ‘fresher’ looking skin from appearing.
With the dead skin getting thicker with moisturiser it will eventually start to become dull looking and maybe even a little rough and uneven. As a result, this will make it difficult for you to get your make up on in that smooth, silky look you desire.
For people who suffer from acne, the worst thing they can do is leave dead skin cells on their face. The dead skin is the perfect place for bacteria to build up which in turn is the ideal breeding ground for spots! P.acnes bacteria in your skin will lead to more and more spots. It is essential for people with acne to exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and eliminate the bacteria from forming.
Also, it is imperative to keep those skin pores from getting clogged up with dead skin and pollutants, the more of it we leave on our face, the bigger the pores will begin to look, as dirt and grime begin to collect so the appearance of ‘blackheads’ arrives. Exfoliation keeps those pores free from build up!
Can Exfoliating Prevent Wrinkles?
Now that is a headline that gets plenty of attention! Of course, people will say if exfoliating my skin can prevent wrinkles why 
am I paying xx amount of dollars on expensive anti-aging creams? Well as mentioned moisturisers and anti-aging creams are very important, but they do stop the dead skin cells from falling this, in turn, prevents the younger smoother and better-nourished skin beneath from appearing. The old skins cells become dull and a ‘bit tired’ these need to be removed through exfoliating and allow new skin to come through. New skin will have a more youthful appearance so, to answer the question, yes to a certain extent exfoliating removes the tired, dead skin that would lead to wrinkles.
Skin Types & Exfoliants:
Before you begin exfoliating your face, it is important to know exactly what your skin type is. Exfoliates come in many formulas, so it is essential to use the one that matches your skin type. Generally, there are five skin types:
Normal – Dry – Oily – A Combination of the previous three – Sensitive
Using a product that doesn’t match your skin, you will end up doing more damage than good. All Skin types will benefit significantly from exfoliation, but it is imperative that you use the product that matches your skin type.
Suitable Products To Exfoliate Face:
Scrub – Normal to Dry Skin – Review
Scrub – Oily Skin – Review
Peel – Normal to Dry Skin & Sun Damaged – Review
Peel – Combination to Oily Skin – Review
The Difference Between Scrubs and Peels:
So, do we ‘Scrub‘ or ‘Peel‘?
Choosing to ‘Scrub’ exfoliate, is deemed as a ‘mechanical scrub.’ The solution that you are using will have tiny particles in it; these can be made up from micro-grains of sugar or a finer exfoliating powder like rice grain or even salt. It is these particles that act as the ‘scrub’ on your face. You would either use a brush by hand or a hand-held motorised device to work the solution into your face and almost polish the surface. Now, this way of exfoliating can be deemed to be quite harsh on the skin, and even create tiny micro tears. I would be less inclined to use this type of exfoliation if you have sensitive skin as it can be severe and cause much irritation. Some benefits of using a ‘Scrub’ exfoliant
- Deep Cleansing of the Face
- Remove Blackheads
- Toning the Face
- Removes Dead Skin Cells
- Unclog Pores
Opting to ‘Peel‘ exfoliate, which is also known as a chemical peel. The solution has acid in it which is the active ingredient that peels away the dead skin. It is generally thought to be less harsh on the skin as it doesn’t contain the abrasive particles like the scrubs have in them. Though more gentle on the surface it effectively removes rough, scaly skin. There are two types of solution to choose from
- AHA (Glycolic Acid/Latic Acid) or
- BHA (Salicylic Acid)
AHA and BHA are both suitable for daily use, but again caution is recommended, if you have hyper-sensitive skin this might not be appropriate, see how your skin reacts to using either of these products and act accordingly. Both types of Peel can are available in differing degrees of strength so maybe go for a lower strength solution if you feel that you want to apply it on a daily basis.
Helping you to choose between the two types of exfoliants. For skin prone to all forms of breakouts (including blackheads), BHA is preferred over AHA. This is due to the main difference between AHA and BHA.
The BHA ingredients enable it to penetrate into the pore (AHA’s do not do this), and this allows it exfoliate deep inside the pore, and exfoliate the surface of the skin. AHA solutions only exfoliate skin cells on the surface of the skin.
The AHA is more suitable for Dry, Sun Damaged Skin.
The BHA is more suited to Oily Skin and Sensitive Skin types.
Some benefits of using a ‘Peel’ exfoliant:
- Deep cleansing of the face
- Help unblock pores
- Even out skin tone
- Removing rough scaly patches
Biologique Lotion P50V
Lotion P50V is an exfoliating acid toner from French clinical skincare brand, Biologique Recherche – suitable for stronger and more mature skin types.
Founded over 40 years ago with a vision of developing formulations for skincare professionals, Biologique Recherche has a reputation for impressive results based on a clinical approach. Offering a range of four different P50 Lotions, each providing the same core benefit but with slight changes dependent on your skin type, these acid toners gently exfoliate the skin.
Lotion P50V contains antioxidant ingredients, making it suitable for more mature and devitalised skin types. Formulated with added vitamin and walnut extracts that protect from the ageing process and nourish the epidermis, the chemical exfoliation works to regenerate and maintain pH levels. Gently renewing the skin over 50 days – hence P50, ‘peeling’ in ‘50’ days – this lotion will leave skin smooth, clear and radiant.
Read – Japanese Skin Care Secrets
How often should you Exfoliate your face?
I can only recommend or suggest what I feel comfortable doing myself. Every solution you buy will have clear directions for use on the packaging that you should read very carefully. I am a little apprehensive to recommend exfoliating your facial skin on a daily basis, especially if using a scrub, I feel it is much too harsh on the skin surface – unless you have skin like an elephant!
Maybe when you are starting out using exfoliators, and you are looking to remove a lot of damaged, dead skin, you could exfoliate more regularly, 3-4 times a week to begin with if using a scrub. See how your skin copes with this amount of cleansing and cut back or stop if you see any reaction. Exfoliating using the chemical peel solution, you can use it daily, but first, try using milder solution to see how your skin copes with the chemicals and to this amount of exfoliating, and act accordingly.
Perfect Steps:
- Always Cleanse your Skin before Exfoliating
- Exfoliate
- Important! After you Exfoliate your face always apply a moisturiser, and if you are going out during the day after Exfoliating you must use a Moisturizer with (Sun Protection Factor) SPF 30 or above.
What method do you prefer too use to exfoliate your face? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.
jo@yourskincarehelp.com
I have always been an outdoors person, from my work to most of my hobbies you would rarely catch me indoors, no matter what time of the year it was or what the weather was doing.
We take many things for granted in our lives and thankfully, most won’t have life-changing consequences.