No matter how flawless your makeup application is, the most important part of your look is the condition of your skin. If you don’t have a good canvas, then you will have a difficult getting a smooth, flawless finish. Exfoliation is a crucial step to achieving clear, glowing skin because it removes dead skin along with debris to reveal the new layer of skin underneath. Exfoliation is typically done once or twice a week, depending on the results desired.
There are three primary types of exfoliation for the skin: manual, enzyme, and chemical. One or a combination of these may be the most appropriate for your skin type, depending on the specific needs of your skin. Manual exfoliation is the most popular, and the easiest to find.
Manual exfoliation involves removing the dead skin cells physically, such as a washcloth, puff, or even fingers. Typically, these exfoliant products have granules such as ground solid ingredients such as almonds or “beads” created with synthetic ingredients. You can often find such things as crystals and even sand in these types of products. Higher end products tend to stick with rounder additives for these, as they tend to not scrape the skin like an ingredient with jagged edges.
Enzyme exfoliation uses enzymes, which are highly specialized proteins, which can help break down the dead cell layer which lays on the top layer of the skin. These can be very useful for sensitive skin types, as they don’t require pressure or friction to work. However, for an enzyme exfoliant to work, it needs to have the correct strength and pH balance.
Chemical exfoliation includes an ingredient such as alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids which help loosen the sebum which traps dead skin against the skin. These are most beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin and don’t require pressure or friction to work, although many products combine this type of exfoliant with a manual exfoliant.
Deciding which of the exfoliation methods can often involve some trial and error. Taking into consideration your skin type and sampling the different methods will yield amazing results.
Photo by hdconnelly via Flickr.
Exfoliation Is Important: Three Primary Types
Estee Lauder Introduces Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment
I am really excited about this one. Any skin treatments that focus on exfoliation and refinishing are right up my alley!
This is a brand new treatment that is aimed to give you an alternative to microdermabrasion and 30% glycolic peels. It uses a new thermal technology to get into the pores and release the buildup of sebum and impurities - both of which can cause breakouts and problem skin. The Microsphere Refinishing System then sweeps away the impurities. While that is going on, you have glucosamine and salycilic acid working on the lower levels of the skin to help skin cell turnover.
All in all, some of the very best things you can do to exfoliate and replenish skin.
Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment will be available starting in May and will retail for $49.50 and is available at all Estee Lauder counters.
Free Sample Alert: Caress Evenly Gorgeous
As part of the new Skinwear Collection, Caress is offering up a free sample of their Evenly Gorgeous body wash.
From the website:
New Caress Evenly Gorgeous™ Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bar have burnt brown sugar and karite butter that gently exfoliate and lusciously moisturize, revealing sensually smooth skin that’s even toned and polished to perfection. They’re must-haves to achieve any look that shows off your smooth, sexy shoulders.
What's So Important About Exfoliation Anyway?
You know you're supposed to exfoliate, and you've heard me talking about how I do it every day, but what is it all about anyway? Why is it so important and what does it do for you?
Easy - it removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin and brings the new skin cells to the surface. The benefits of removing the older, outer layer of skin are important - it keeps the skin clean, it unclogs pores, and exposes hair follicles. It can also help remove the dry, flaky dead skin that pops up in the colder months.
There are two different ways of exfoliating: mechanical and chemical. The mechanical method is the most common, where you physically remove the skin cells with an exfoliating cloth, sponge, brush, or loofah. Mechanical exfoliation can also be the addition of hard particles to a soap base, such as almond kernels, sugar, or salt. Chemical exfoliation is the addition of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to products. Alpha hydroxy acids are the most common, and they include glycolic acid, malic acid, and fruit enzymes. Beta hydroxy acids are essentially salicylic acid, which has been proven to penetrate through the layer of sebum that covers a pore. Beta hydroxy acids are most effective in treating acne and breakouts for that reason.
So, which should you choose? It depends on the type of skin that you have. Oily or acne-prone skin should choose a chemical method involving beta hydroxy acids along with a mechanical method. A favorite of mine is Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
Once you incorporate exfoliation into your skin care routine, you will see improvements in any type of skin. It's beneficial for all of us!
Photo by hd connelly on Flickr.
The Exfoliation Obsession Continues: Dr Brandt's Microdermabrasion
Hi. My name is Meredith, and I am addicted to exfoliation. I can't help it - it makes my face feel better, look better, and keeps all my random issues under control. I am forever searching for the perfect product to help me with this, and this time I've come across Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion
This is a very easy product to use: apply it to a damp face, gently massaging in circles for one to two minutes. Wash it off and enjoy your amazingly smooth face. The crystals in it are diamond shaped and aren't irritating at all. It has a pleasant lemon scent, and I noticed a clear difference in my skin quality after using this product only once.
I think most people would do fine saving this for a once a week facial. After all, not everyone needs microdermabrasion
Favorite Body Scrubs
Have I mentioned that I'm obsessed with exfoliation? I truly am. I will buy any body scrub on the market and use it until it is all gone, regardless of whether or not I actually like it. I love the feeling of scrubbing all the rough spots until they are nice and smooth and then using an exceptional moisturizer. If they are scented with something that I wear in my daily perfume, so much the better. Pulling out a note (such as ylang ylang or bergamot) of my scent for use in bath products is one of my favorite ways of "matching." I pay more attention to that then whether or not my outfit matches. Truly. So I decided to put together a list of my favorites that I have discovered. And if you know of a body scrub that I should try, please let me know!
My most recent purchase is Boots Mediterranean Olive, Bergamot, and Walnut Body Scrub. This is a gentle and non-abrasive scrub that would be great for sensitive skinned people. The scent is lovely without being overwhelming, and it offers light moisturizing. One of my requirements for a great scrub is that they don't require me to use an additional product for moisturizing after I get out of the shower, and this one just barely qualifies in that regard. But the price is right, and you definitely don't have an oily feeling on your skin after the shower.
Neutrogena Energizing Sugar Body Scrub. This was the very first scrub I ever used. There is nothing exciting about it - the scent is exactly what you would expect, a basic citrus that is supposed to be invigorating. The exfoliatiors are sugar crystals, which aren't harsh on sensitive skin, and it has better than average moisturizing ability. But it is definitely lacking a "wow factor," although it really is a good basic scrub.
The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish. This isn't a scrub in the true sense. It's a body polish, which means that it has great exfoliating ability, but not much in the way of moisturizing. Which is fine, especially if you like to control the amount of moisture your skin gets. I love the scent on this product, and often follow it up with their Strawberry Body Butter. With the addition of salicylic acid, it certainly keeps the rough spots to a minimum.
L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Sunless Scrub. I mention this precisely because it is almost the opposite of all my other favorite scrubs, yet there is always a tube of this in my shower. This offers no moisture at all. None. Don't expect it, you won't get it. And you don't want it, either - this scrub is designed to prepare your skin for self-tanning, and you don't want a layer of oils to prevent that bronze from developing. This scrub has BHAs and salt as it's exfoliant, so don't use it after shaving! Take it from me!
The Body Shop Bergamot Salt Scrub. I have to confess that I don't have this in bergamot. I have the ylang ylang option (sensual ylang ylang, natch), but it is exactly the same with the exception of the scent. This scrub is very, very moisturizing. No lotion needed afterwards at all. Because it's salt, it's another scrub that must be used prior to any shaving that needs to be done. Also, the salt grains are quite large - don't keep scrubbing until they dissolve, as you won't have a top layer of skin any longer. But the scent is heavenly, and the product is decadent.
Lush Buffy Body Butter. And I saved the best for last. I recently discovered the Buffy bar at the Lush store in Atlanta (great SA's there, by the way - they are awesome! Shipped my things to me because I wouldn't be able to get them on the plane), and I haven't stopped using it since. This solid bar can be used at the end of your shower, right before you get out. Not only are you treated to the most luxurious moisture, the exfoliating grains remove any bad patches you might have. And these grains aren't salt - they are ground rice, almonds, and aduki beans. This bar makes my skin the softest it has ever been, and I plan to keep a bar around from now on.
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