The Ultimate Guide to Exfoliation - The Benefits and How Often You Should Be Doing It
Have you ever had dry, flaky skin? Don’t worry - we’ve all been there. Our skin naturally regenerates new skin cells every 30 or so days, so when dead skin cells are no longer needed, our skin can become clogged and flakey. The process of exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, this is usually done with some sort of exfoliating tool, whether it be gloves, sponges, body brushes or body scrubs.
What are the benefits of exfoliation?
Much like snakes, our skin also sheds. Dead skin cells create congested pores in our skin’s surface and can lead to wrinkles, lines and blemishes. By exfoliating the skin and removing the dead skin cells, your pores become clear, leaving your skin feeling clean and smooth. And clearer pores = less breakouts.
Exfoliation also increases collagen production, which is the most important protein for vibrant skin and reduces the appearance of ageing. Additionally, it improves your skin’s texture, stimulates blood circulation and helps other skincare products to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
How often should you be doing it?
Everybody’s skin is different. Depending on your skin type and needs, you may need to exfoliate more or less often than the average person. Experts recommend gently exfoliating two to three times a week. The most important tip to exfoliating is to ensure you are gentle on the skin - so be sure to find products that suit your skin best, especially if you have skin concerns like acne or eczema.
If you’re new to exfoliating and wondering where to start, try a gentle exfoliating cleanser and softly rub in circles around your face, rinse with warm water once done and follow with your moisturiser. For a more deep exfoliation, try incorporating an exfoliating glove or brush. Exfoliation isn’t only for the face either - it’s important to exfoliate your entire body, so be sure to scrub away those dead skin cells in the shower too!