Your exfoliation routine depends on your skin type, your environment, and the product you are using.
Oily and acne prone skin requires more frequent and aggressive exfoliation but it’s not a step to be skipped if your skin is dry.
The skin cell cycle slows as we age and regular exfoliation is the best way to assistant sluggish cells. Exfoliation allows new skin skin cells to flourish and can encourage collagen production.
Oily and acne prone skin can benefit from daily exfoliation to keep pore buildup to a minimum. Dry skin needs a gentle exfolation 1-2 times a week, depending on external factors like the weather.
What Exfoliating Product Should I Use?
There are three main categories of exfoliating products: physical, chemical, and enzyme.
Physical exfoliants use rough particles and friction to remove dead skin. These products are wonderful to exfoliate skin on the body. They often come in the form of salt, sugar, or pumice scrubs.
Physical exfoliants are not appropriate for most skin types to use on the face. The rough pieces can cause micro tears in the skin and the amount of friction necessary to remove dead skin leaves many skin types unnecessarily red and irritated.
Chemical and enzyme exfoliating products are better suited for the face.
Enzyme exfoliants are appropriate for most skin types. Enzymes are made from fruits acids and work on the surface of the skin. They gently digest dead skin cells and promote glowing skin. Enzyme products require several minutes to do their magic and can be assisted by steam from the shower.
You can safely use an enzyme exfoliant several times a week. It will assist with clogged pores, dry skin, blackheads, and rough patches.
You can use an enzyme exfoliant weekly and a chemical exfoliant nightly, especially if your skin is oily and you are prone to clogged pore.
Chemical exfoliants work below the skins surface to promote new skin cell turnover and collagen production. These products include ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, and lactic acid.
Chemical exfoliation is very popular and effective. Start slow and build your tolerance to this type of product, it is possible to compromise your skin barrier with too much chemical exfoliation.
Add one chemical exfoliating product to your night time routine. You may need to begin with every other night to build tolerance. Commit to using the product for 90 days to asses the results. Make sure you are getting enough hydration and sun protection during the day.
Do you have questions about how often you should be exfoliating? Have a Virtual Skin Care Consult with Hannah.