Exfoliation: What It Really Can Do For You

Since I started exfoliating 4 years ago, I've seen a major alternation in my skin: I no longer have blackheads, my skin is smoother, I need less and it looks more healthy than it's ever looked. Exfoliating can provide you with a fresh skin in a matter of minutes! Sloughing off dead, dull surface cells exposes a brand new, younger-looking, smooth and even layer of skin cells that absorb and reflect light, so lines look softer and skin glows. (If light hits a smooth surface it bounces off as a perfect, even reflection; when it hits a tough surface it creates shadows and the surface looks duller and older.) Exfoliation may also actually speed the cell renewal rate by 30%. Here's why: Every twenty-five to thirty days your skin renews itself -- it sloughs off its outermost layer around one million dull, dried-out dead cells (among the 100 million cells on your face) and replaces it with an all-new layer of healthy moisture-plumped cells which have been generated deep in the dermis. This natural sloughing process slows naturally as you become older and, in addition, it's hindered through the ravages of the environment -- sun, wind, pollution, dirt and makeup, which combine to age the topmost layer of cells faster than new cells can be achieved to replace them. Thus, old-looking surface cells linger longer than they should and provide your skin a dull, lifeless appearance, to say nothing of disturbing the generation of new cells. This is where exfoliation comes in.

• How to Exfoliate

  

  There are many methods of exfoliation. Which technique you choose is really a matter of personal preference, but all should be done gently so they won't irritate or damage skin.  Tip: One way to make sure that you're not applying too much pressure would be to keep your thumbs under your chin and employ the other four fingers to exfoliate.  1. The chemical method. An exfoliant (usually containing salicylic acid) is spread about the skin and dissolves the dead surface cells as well as skin oils that otherwise fasten together surface cells. These exfoliants are often most suitable for normal/oily skin types.  2. The mechanical method. A scrub based on natural (ground apricot pits, almonds or oatmeal) or artificial ingredients is massaged to the face to loosen and then remove dead cells. The scrub can either be a mask you apply, let dry, and then rub off; or a cream you put onto wet skin and rub for just one minute.
  
  Tip: Look for products with relatively uniform small grains, which work gently. Or try simply massaging papaya pulp or pineapple slices on your face -- they're both extremely gentle, natural exfoliants.  3. Another mechanical method involves synthetic exfoliating sponges you use with water and soap or cleanser to whisk away the outer layer of the skin. When To Exfoliate No matter your type of skin, you should exfoliate every day (if not twice a day), just before you apply your skin cream. But if you have not been exfoliating, you need to build up to a regular daily routine slowly (it may take about a month) -- say just a few seconds in the morning and just a few seconds at night, gradually increasing to thirty seconds each time until you reach about a minute.  Tip: If your skin begins to look red and feel sensitive, you're doing an excessive amount of exfoliating and need to cut back. Try a few moments daily until your skin feels comfortable, and then begin to extend the time.