While you might already know that exfoliating your skin leaves it feeling fresh, understanding what, why, and when is crucial to maintain your skin in its optimal state! And you may already be doing it, but do you understand the real benefits.
Our skin is designed to naturally undergo cellular turnover, a process in which old skin cells are shed and are replaced by new ones. Every 28 days, our skin regenerates itself, renewing the surface through cell turnover. However, as we age, this rejuvenation process gradually slows down, meaning your skin’s exfoliation process can be slowed down. With this in mind, let’s explore the art of exfoliation in our skincare routine and where it fits in.
They are the skin cells that are almost ready to shed! Like doing the vacuuming of redundant skin cells that you can feel on the outside of your body, often flaky, dry, or white skin, which can also show up as blocked pores and breakouts.
Exfoliation can sometimes be achieved using a physical or chemical agent to buff and polish the skin, it will give you a brighter and more radiant complexion. Not only does exfoliation leave the skin feeling smoother and softer, but it also allows for better absorption of your other skincare products.
Whilst exfoliation has its benefits, over-exfoliating your skin can have an adverse effect too. It can weaken your skin, making it more susceptible to environmental aggressors, and can also strip your skin’s natural oils and moisture. Just like too hot of a shower will make your skin very dry at this time of year.
It will also over-stimulate and disrupt the natural oil balances, leading to a skin that doesn’t perform the important tasks as it should and is designed to do.
It’s really important to find a balance and choose the right exfoliation method and frequency that suits your skin’s type and condition.
When your skin barrier is working at its best, you can see a delicate balance of oil and water. While the water gives us the natural shedding of skin cells, the oil ensures proper hydration.
So, ideally, the balance results in naturally exfoliated skin, often without the need for excessive interventions. While a weekly exfoliation may suffice for many, it is always best to check with me for personalised recommendations to suit your skin type.
So let's get your skin care routine in the best possible shape to suit your needs.
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