Why and how to exfoliate your skin? What are the right actions to adopt and those to avoid? Find all our advice in this new article!
Why Exfoliate Your Skin?
The skin comprises three successive layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. The cells of its upper layer, the “epidermis, ” are constantly renewed. This is called cell renewal. Following a 21-day life cycle, the cells are born to form the basal layer and then gradually migrate to the upper layers before dying on the surface to form the stratum corneum.
From there, they are evacuated by the process of desquamation. However, even if we naturally evacuate some of these dead cells, also called “corneocytes”, exfoliation is still necessary. Indeed, without regular exfoliation, the corneocytes accumulate too much, the skin is duller and rougher, and the appearance of imperfections is favored (pimples, ingrown hairs, etc.).
What Are The Advantages?
Exfoliating allows, first of all, to give a little boost to the skin to eliminate these dead cells. The skin will oxygenate itself and thus renew itself more to become softer and more luminous. In addition, the skin of the face is very exposed to external aggressions (high or low temperatures, UV, pollution, etc.); exfoliation is an essential gesture to eliminate in depth all the impurities that can cling and limit the appearance of imperfections. Finally, exfoliating your skin regularly allows better penetration of care!
Also Read: Your Skin Reveals A Lot About Your Diet And Overall Health
How To Exfoliate Your Skin?
Exfoliation comes in 2 forms: mechanical exfoliation, better known as “scrub”, and chemical or enzymatic exfoliation, also known as “peeling”.
Mechanically Exfoliating: The Scrub
Exfoliation rids the skin of corneocytes under the mechanical and abrasive action of a grain. When you apply a scrub, the grains rub the skin and peel off the dead cells. They are then evacuated during rinsing. In the form of gel, cream or balm, the scrub is recommended for the body’s exfoliation.
Indeed, depending on their size, the grains can be very abrasive, and the skin of the face being thinner, they can then create microlesions. This type of exfoliation is also not recommended for sensitive and acne-prone skin. However, if this is not your case, using a scrub on the face is possible by opting for the ideal grain size.
Chemically Exfoliating: Peeling
Peeling removes dead skin cells using a chemically aggressive solution for the epidermis composed of one or more acids, most often of vegetable origin. The solution destroys the epidermis in a limited and controlled way and thus forces it to renew itself. I have often been referred to as AHAs and BHAs (alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids), some of the best-known acids include lactic acid (AHA), glycolic acid (AHA), and salicylic acid (BHA).
These acids are most often derived from plants and, more specifically, from fruit sugars. Some can also be made from sugar cane or certain vegetables. Chemical exfoliation is a practice that was, for a long time, reserved for professionals (dermatological practices and beauty salons). However, it can be done at home in recent years with milder commercially available peeling solutions. However, the concentrations vary from one peel to another, and some can be very concentrated. They must therefore be used with care so as not to burn the skin.
How To Choose Your Exfoliant?
To choose the right exfoliant, you must first determine the area to be exfoliated: face or body. Then, for both of them, it is essential to identify what characterizes your skin. Is it relatively thin or thick? Normal, sensitive, dry, very dry? And more widely for the mixed, oily, blemished, or acne face. Finally, with these 2 data, it will be a question of choosing the exfoliant that suits you best between the scrub, its different grain sizes, the peeling, and its many active ingredients.
Exfoliate Your Skin Without Danger
Ridding the skin of all its impurities is not just choosing an exfoliant. General advice applies to avoid the risk of damaging your skin.
In General
- Choose a day when the skin will not be subjected to various aggressions (clothing, household products, pool/sea water, etc.).
- Never exfoliate your skin before or after sun exposure.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and storage.
- Apply a moisturizing and nourishing treatment right after the exfoliation.
- Do not exfoliate your skin too often: once a week to once a month if your skin is susceptible.
If You Use A Scrub
- Adapt the grain size to the area to be exfoliated. A wonderful grain for the face, a medium grain for the arms, legs, stomach, and back and a “coarse” grain for the heels, elbows or even the knees, where the stratum corneum is often thicker.
- Carry out the exfoliation on damp skin (unless otherwise indicated), the idea being, for example, in the shower.
- “Caress” her skin in circular motions. Avoid pressing too hard, going too fast or exfoliating too long to avoid damaging the skin.
If You Use A Peel
- Adapt the active ingredient and its concentration to your skin type.
- Gradually incorporate peeling into your routine so as not to rush the skin.
- Scrupulously respect the doses and exposure times!
Exfoliate Your Skin With Oden
We have developed a scrub with Camargue rice powder for you to gently exfoliate while boosting hydration thanks to 2 powders of different sizes—one of intermediate size to exfoliate gently and the other much finer (micronized) to promote hydration. It also contains pink clay to purify and soften, vegetable oils to deeply nourish the skin and beeswax to create a protective film after rinsing. A scrub as gentle as it is effective for the skin, to be used once a week on wet skin, making circular movements before rinsing with lukewarm water. It can be used on the face if you don’t have sensitive skin.
Also Read: Grandma’s Best Tricks For Smooth Skin