Exfoliating is a vital step to caring for your skin properly though many do not utilize an exfoliating treatment. Exfoliation simply means gently sloughing away cellular buildup, also known as dead skin cells, from your skin gently with an exfoliating treatment that consists of tiny microbeads that remove the buildup. When dead skin is exfoliated, it allows new rejuvenated skin to surface in addition to unclogging pores that are clogged with impurities like oil, residue, and acne-causing bacteria. Your skin will glow and feel so much softer. Take note that you must follow with an oil-free moisturizer to add moisture and hydration to your skin.
Some exfoliating treatments are safe enough to use every day while other treatments are recommended to only use 2-4 times a week. It also depends how sensitive your skin is. If you suffer with severe acne, you may want to gently exfoliate only 2-3 times a week as to not irritate the pimples with daily use. If you don’t have much acne but your skin is very sensitive, exfoliating 3 times a week is recommended. Professional makeup artist and blogger, Lindsay Tosto, uses an exfoliating treatment and cleanser in one that is safe enough to use twice daily, morning and night. Her top picks are listed below. They are different price ranges and brands, so choose according to which brand suits your skin needs best.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
This is a unique exfoliating treatment. It’s a Rice-based powder formula that is activated when mixed with water, which then releases Papain (from papayas), Salicylic Acid, and Rice Enzymes. It micro-exfoliated cellular buildup so it is safe enough for all skin types and gentle enough to use every day. This microfoliant calm irritated skin thanks to the blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo, and Colloidal Oatmeal within the formula. Your skin will be softer, smoother, and brighter than ever before! It has received 5 out of 5 star reviews and it is worth the cost. A very little goes a long way so you should be able to use this product for at least 3 months. Lindsay Tosto’s number one pick for everyone to try – as long as you are not allergic to any of the ingredients! No artificial colors or fragrance added.
Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub
Skin Prep Scrub is safe enough for all skin types and consists of very finely granules of Corn Cob Meal which gently remove dead, dry skin while extracts of Mallow, Ivy, Cucumber, and pure Aloe Vera soothe and calm the skin. Your skin will be gently polished and fresh, allowing your moisturizer to be absorbed more easily, leaving your skin hydrated and moisturized. And no more clogged pores which will result in less acne breakouts! No artificial colors or fragrance added.
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser
This is a quick and easy exfoliating treatment and cleanser in one. It is dermatologist-tested and approved and is safe enough for all skin types. The microbeads gently remove dead skin and removes dry patches. The alpha-hydroxy formula seeps deep into the pores to cleanse and remove residue, oil, and acne-causing bacteria to decrease the formation of pimples. The appearance of scars will reduce over time and skin will look more even, hydrated, and smooth. This product is soap-free and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores.
Aveeno Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
It’s a Total Soy Complex that contains delicate microbeads to exfoliate cellular buildup from the surface of the skin while cleansing away impurities and residue. Your skin will look renewed, smooth, and clear and it’s gentle enough to use every day. It is soap-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and oil-free. It’s safe for those with sensitive skin as well.
Home Remedies
There are some truly wonderful home remedies that you can use to gently exfoliate your skin if you prefer the natural route. Here at Acne Skin Site, we truly do believe the more natural the products are, with less chemicals infused, the better for you and your skin. Below are a few of our favorite homemade exfoliating treatments to remove cellular buildup and unclog pores. Your skin will look and feel amazing after these treatments!
Sugar Scrub - Skincare expert Lindsay Tosto loves using extra virgin olive oil or organic cold-pressed coconut oil combined with organic cane or brown sugar as an exfoliator. “It removes all my dead, flaky skin without irritating my skin or clogging my pores,” explains Tosto. Even better, she recommends cutting a slice of an organic lime or lemon and massage the slice of fruit over your skin with the scrub instead of using your fingers. Limes and lemons are natural astringents with antibacterial properties to gently fight acne and leave your skin bright. GENTLY massage the scrub over your face for 1-2 minutes, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and towel-pat dry your skin. This scrub should be utilized once a week. Warning: Lemon juice can dry out and bleach the skin so use accordingly and cautiously.
Honey ‘n Oatmeal Scrub – Mix 1 teaspoon raw unfiltered honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. In a separate bowl, combine raw rolled oats with warm water but add in less water than needed to make a thick paste-like consistency. Combine all three ingredients together and apply to the face as a scrub, gently massaging it over the skin in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and towel-pat dry your skin. This scrub is gentle enough to use twice weekly.
Also…
We also offer an array of face masks that work beautifully to exfoliate dead skin cells while gently pulling deeply embedded impurities from the pores. Some of our favorites include the Flaxseed Face Mask, the Papaya and Honey Face Mask, and the Cornmeal Face Mask. A face mask should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing 2 times a week and always remember that if you use a separate cleanser from an exfoliating treatment, that you cleanse first then exfoliate, then moisturize. You will be so happy with the results!
How to Exfoliate Your Skin: Step-by-Step
1.) If you wear makeup, remove makeup first – We love using organic, cold-pressed coconut oil for pretty much everything and this includes removing makeup as well. Simply dab a cotton pad into a jar of coconut oil and gently remove eye and face makeup.
2.) Cleanse your face – Wet your face with warm water and use a gentle non-comedogenic and oil-free cleanser. Massage the cleanser onto your face in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
3.) Exfoliate your freshly cleansed skin – We recommend exfoliating your skin 1-2 times a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is. Some people can exfoliate a day or two more a week but if you become overly dry or your skin becomes irritated, reduce your exfoliation treatments. Start off with once a week and if your skin can handle it, add in an extra day a week of exfoliation.
4.) Use a toner – We love using witch hazel as a toner (it’s great for sensitive skin too!) but make sure you dilute the solution a little bit as essential oils can be quite powerful on your skin. A good rule of thumb is use equal parts essential oil and clean water as to not over-dry the skin. If you have another toner you love, feel free to use that but make sure it’s water-based and not alcohol-based as alcohol-based skincare products over-dry the skin.
5.) Moisturize – Moisturize your skin with a non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance/color-free moisturizer. Even if you are oily, follow this step. You will not become more oily as moisturizers balance the pH levels of your skin to keep your skin balanced and not overly dry or oily. In turn, you will have less acne breakouts and prevent premature aging of the skin.
6.) Apply Eye Cream – Don’t forget eye cream! Anyone over the age of 16 should be using an eye cream to provide added moisture to the eye area and prevent premature aging of the skin around the eyes.
As you can see, exfoliating the skin is simple and can easily be added to any skincare routine. The skincare routine above should only take a few minutes so make sure to make this a daily or nightly ritual. We recommend exfoliating at night since your skin restores itself while you sleep so after giving it some tender loving care, your skin can breathe peacefully through the night. Remember, every person’s skin reacts differently to exfoliating so start with less treatments each week and see how your skin reacts from there. Be very gentle on the skin when exfoliating!
