Exfoliating your skin promises wonders that sound like music
to my ears. Words like radiant and glowing just make me want to shout ‘Where
can I get this? Well, my friends, exfoliation is one of the best ways to get
that beautiful, healthy, radiant look.
But, like anything, not all exfoliators are created
equal, and some are good for certain skins, while others – not so much! It is
important to understand the different types of exfoliation, and which one might
be the best for your gorgeous visage!
What is exfoliation, exactly?
Essentially,
exfoliating your skin means you are removing dead skin cells that clog your
pores and dull your complexion. Taking away the dead stuff reveals the fresh,
bright, young cells beneath. It also means that darker patches are lightened
and your skin has more clarity. On top of that, exfoliating means that any
other products (such as moisturiser) that you use after you have exfoliated can
sink in quickly and be more effective. Bonus! But be wary – you don’t want to
hurt or irritate sensitive skin or end up with red, painful skin because you
overdid it. Gently does it!
Three ways to a radiant glow
There are three
basic types of skin exfoliation – physical, chemical and enzymatic. So let’s
check them out!
Physical exfoliation can be a
scrub or rotating sonic brush, and also includes treatments such as
microdermabrasion. A scrub often contains various small solid grains made from
natural substances, that gently ‘scrape’ or slough away dead cells. I love to
use APIVITA Brightening
Face Scrub with Bilberry. This can be used by everyone – those with sensitive
skin, teenagers and men included. This scrub combines fine almond grains as
well as mild fruit acids and bilberry. It also contains organic ingredients
that sooth, nourish and moisturise, leaving my skin feeling unbelievably soft
after using it.
Chemical exfoliation typically
involves alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA’s), hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid. Now,
acid on your lovely face sounds a bit harsh, but quite the opposite is true in
these cases. These mostly originate from milk and fruit sugars and penetrate
the skin very well. When I have some time on my hands and I want to relax and
watch some TV, I love to give my skin a treat with Origins Never A Dull Moment™ Skin-Brightening Face Polisher with Fruit
Extracts. If I have a few uneven patches, Origins is my go-to girl! After
cleansing and toning, you apply a thin layer to your face and leave for a few
minutes. This face polisher exfoliates lackluster skin cells and restores a
youthfully radiant, alive look to the skin.
Enzymatic exfoliation uses
enzymes from fruits and plants to break down the dead skin cells. Most commonly
used are enzymes from papaya, pumpkin and pineapple. The enzymes break down the
bonds that hold dead skin cells onto the skin, while simultaneously
strengthening the underlying healthy cells. An enzyme exfoliant is recommended
for those with sensitive skin or who experience a tingling or stinging
sensation when using any of the chemical ingredients.
Many
products will use a combination of these methods along with moisturising and
soothing ingredients. One of my all-time favourite skincare brands, Dermalogica,
has such a product, that you will love!
This product combines AHA’s, fruit enzyme extracts and conditioning and moisturising
botanical ingredients. You apply a thin layer for 10 – 15 minutes before
rinsing and following with moisturiser.
Smooth sailing
So, as I
‘smoothly’ close off this blog post, don’t forget to find yourself an exfoliant
that is perfect for your skin and use weekly for the skin that is the envy of
all!
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