Do you ever find your skincare products, makeup, or fake tan don’t apply well, work effectively, or look as they should? Do you struggle with dry patches or dull skin? If so, ask yourself…how often do you exfoliate?
Exfoliation has been around since Egyptian times. In those days, pumice stones and scrubs made from sand or aloe were used to restore softness, radiance, and clarity. Fast forward to ’22 and you’ll find a huge range of exfoliation products for every inch of your body – feet, face, lips, scalps, legs, you get the picture!
Let’s explore why exfoliation is so important and how you can incorporate it into your routine for better-looking and feeling skin.
Why should you exfoliate?
Exfoliation primarily removes dead skin cells, making room for healthy new cells and allowing cell turnover to increase. This not only makes you look radiant and youthful but allows your skincare to sink deeper so it can work more effectively. It also creates the perfect base for your self-tan or makeup to apply smoothly and flawlessly – an even finish all round!
When we’re young, our skin has a higher rate of cell turnover, as well as a higher level of natural oils. Sadly, both processes deplete as we age. To continue to support our bodies and complexions, we can use exfoliation.
Other benefits:
- Reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture.
- Unclogged pores and reduced spots, ingrown hairs, and blackheads.
- Softer skin with better brightness and radiance.
- Improve our skin’s barrier function to retain moisture for a plumper, bouncy appearance.
How should you exfoliate?
There are two forms of exfoliant – chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliants use acids and enzymes to dissolve dead cells. Physical exfoliants use particles to literally scrub away the cells. The two can work in tandem to result in smooth, bright skin.
The best way for you to exfoliate will always be dependent on your skin type, your age, and whether you’ve any sensitivity or other conditions. But there’s no denying that exfoliation can be powerful for all.
How To Incorporate Exfoliation Safely into Your Routine
There is such a thing as too much exfoliation and doing this will hinder rather than help your skin. Normal or combination skin can exfoliate two or three times a week. Sensitive skin may be better with exfoliating once a week.
Prep your face or body by cleansing prior to exfoliating. If you’re using a scrub, small circular motions for 30 seconds per area are enough to gain the benefits. After exfoliating, apply moisturizer to lock in hydration and soothe your skin.
Body Exfoliation – Simply Sue’s Body Scrub
For nourished, hydrated, soft, and radiant skin all in one, a body scrub like my own should be a bath-side staple for you. The pure cane sugars within my scrub eliminate the rough, damaged, or dead cells, making room for newer cells below. The oils sink into your body to nourish and hydrate. The results will be completely clear to see!
An Exclusive Look – Simply Sue’s Bamboo & Raspberry Refining Polish
Here’s your sneak peek at another scrub I’ve been working on this year for release in the fall. After plenty of research, I’ve placed three exfoliants within: bamboo, raspberry seed, and colloidal oats. These three things are hard workers, sloughing away dirt, oil, and dead cells – but the process is gentle on your skin. They will also add hydration, fatty acids needed for anti-aging, and radiance.
To balance the exfoliation, I’ve also added:
- Abyssinian oil, full of moisturizing and anti-aging properties.
- Luxury Nolitica shea butter, which provides incredible hydration for soft supple skin.
Intrigued? You’d best watch this space and sign up for my newsletter here to find out the release date.
The Bottom Line
Incorporating exfoliation into your routine each and every week will work to speed up cell turnover rates and banish dead cells. You’ll gain an overall improvement in tone and texture, and you should find the other products you use work more effectively.
Whether you use a manual or a chemical exfoliator, remember that you never want to go overboard, and introduce the practice gradually.
Ready to add a little buffing to your self-care sessions?
Check out my body scrubs (available in 9 gorgeous fragrances)!
