Dead skin cells that accumulate on the outer layer of your skin can leave your complexion looking a bit lackluster. In many cases, removing these dead skin cells through the process of exfoliation can help your skin look much healthier.
Exfoliating skin products are designed to rub or dissolve away the dead cells, revealing fresher skin underneath. Mechanical exfoliants accomplish this through the use of abrasion. In essence, they contain small, rough particles that rub away the dead skin cells, much like a piece of sandpaper smoothes away the outer layer of a piece of wood.
Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, dissolve away the dead skin cells through a chemical process, meaning that they don’t involve any type of abrasion.
Both types of exfoliation need to be used with caution – particularly if you have sensitive skin. If you use products that are too harsh, it can leave your skin raw, red, and irritated. To avoid problems like these, you not only need to choose the right products but you also need to use them correctly.
As a general rule of thumb, people with dry or sensitive skin should stick with mild exfoliants. Usually, chemical exfoliants are the best choice for these skin types. Anything too harsh can easily irritate skin like this, which is why it is best to err on the side of caution.
People with normal or oily skin, on the other hand, can usually use products that are a little bit more intense. Even so, you should avoid exfoliants that are extremely abrasive or that have strong ingredients that could hurt your skin.
The most important thing to remember when using these products is that you should never apply too much pressure. Instead, always use a light touch. Rather than rubbing the product down into your skin, you should focus on having it glide over the surface. The gentler you are, the less likely you are to damage your skin.
Once you are done, thoroughly rinse your face, removing all traces of the product. Gently pat your face dry with a clean hand towel or cloth. Finish by applying a moisturizer to your skin. Exfoliating your skin can cause it to dry out more quickly, which is why it is important to moisturize.
Look for a moisturizer that is formulated for your skin type and that is gentle enough that it won’t cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer.
The last thing to remember is that you should avoid using exfoliating skin products too often. If you have sensitive or dry skin, once a week is more than enough. In fact, you may even want to wait longer than that between treatments to avoid overdoing it with your skin.
If you have oily or normal skin, on the other hand, you should be able to exfoliate approximately two or three times a week. You may need to experiment a little bit to find a schedule that works well for your skin.