Exfoliating the face offers many benefits when done correctly. However, countless women use the wrong technique only to discover they have done harm to the delicate facial skin. When the skin turns red and peels, you have over-exfoliated. Women often assume this means they are seeing results and should carry out this task more frequently. The exact opposite holds true. What do women need to know about exfoliation before carrying out this skin care task again?
What is Exfoliation?
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the skin’s top layer. Doing so brightens the skin and allows skin care products to penetrate the deeper layers. When a person ages, skin cell turnover slows. Young women benefit from cell turnover approximately every 30 days, but it takes longer in older women, and this shows on the face. The decreased cell turnover leads to a dull complexion which no woman wants. Exfoliating the skin moves the turnover process along. In addition, some cells don’t shed, and the dead cells lead to clogged pores and dry, flaky patches. Exfoliation removes the cells, so this doesn’t become an issue. Women can learn more about this process with help from Renee Rouleau.
Different Types of Exfoliation
Women choose from two types of exfoliation. Chemical exfoliators contain ingredients that dissolve dead skin cells. When purchasing a chemical exfoliator, ladies need to look for ingredients such as alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, as these products provide more drastic results. In contrast, mechanical exfoliation requires the use of a tool or face scrub to remove the cells. Females might choose to use an exfoliating mitt, a dry brush, a loofah, or microneedling as a means of mechanical exfoliation.
When Should Skin Be Exfoliated?
Ladies assume exfoliation should be carried out as often as possible. In fact, less is more. If the skin turns red or stings, you have overdone it. Using one of these methods helps the body’s natural exfoliation process, and the woman’s skin type plays a role in how often the dead cells need to be removed.
Females with sensitive skin must be extra gentle when carrying out this task and use a warm, wet washcloth or mild chemical exfoliant to remove the cells. This process need not be completed more than once or twice a week. When choosing a chemical exfoliant, look for one with lower active ingredient percentages. If the scrub contains beady parts, choose a different product, as the beads irritate the skin.
Oily skin handles exfoliation well, so women may carry out this task up to five days each week. Many women use a cleansing tool in the morning and a serum or peel at night. Those with normal to combination skin should exfoliate up to three times each week, using either method to remove the dead skin cells.
When to Avoid Exfoliating
Some women shouldn’t exfoliate, as doing so could make existing skin conditions worse. For instance, ladies suffering from chronic or cystic acne find exfoliating inflames the skin more and could lead to hyperpigmentation. The marks linger in women with tan or dark skin tones.
Open cuts need to heal before exfoliating, and the same is true if you have an infection. Avoid this skin care task when you have a sunburn. At this time, the skin needs moisturizers and time to heal rather than any harsh treatments.
Take care when exfoliating the face. Improper methods or carrying out this task too often does more harm than good. Use the above information to ensure problems don’t arise when completing a task meant to benefit the skin.