Most people think that exfoliation is important for achieving and maintaining healthy, glowing skin. But what many people don’t know is how to properly exfoliate, or what products to use and when to cut back on exfoliation. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and can be done with physical or chemical exfoliants.

There are many benefits to exfoliation, including improved skin texture, decreased pore size, and even a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. However, it is important to not over-exfoliate, as this can lead to irritation, redness, breakouts and eventually a damaged skin barrier. And for aging, thinning skin, its even more important to choose the right way to exfoliate and whether you do it at all.

The experts at Skin Actives will provide everything you need to know about exfoliation, including how to properly exfoliate your face and body, what products to use, and how to avoid damaging your skin barrier. 

5 Tips on The Perfect Exfoliation for Your Skin

1. Know Your Skin Type Before you start exfoliating. It is important to know your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid harsh physical exfoliants and opt for gentler chemical exfoliants. If you have aging skin, you need something gentle and include active ingredients to help strengthen and thicken your skin. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you may benefit from a more heavy-duty physical exfoliant.
2. Choose the Right Exfoliant. There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants, such as scrubs and brushes, physically remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use enzymes or acids to dissolve dead skin cells.
3. Avoid Over-Exfoliating. Over-exfoliating can cause irritation and inflammation, which can lead to breakouts and other skin problems. To avoid this, you should only exfoliate once or twice a week, and never in consecutive days. Additionally, you should always listen to your skin and adjust your exfoliation routine accordingly. Make sure to feed your skin the nourishment it needs to keep it healthy.
4. Don't Forget Your Body. Exfoliating isn't just for your face. You can also exfoliate your body to improve skin texture and help prevent breakouts. Try it on your forearms, elbows or heels and see how smooth your skin can become. However, be gentle when exfoliating your body, especially if you have sensitive or thinning skin.
5. Moisturize Afterwards. After exfoliating, it is important to moisturize your skin to prevent it from drying out. This is especially important if you are using a chemical exfoliant, which can be more drying than a physical exfoliant.

Exfoliating For Glowing Skin The Skin Actives Way

• Retinols – Retinols are a great way to keep skin look young and glowing. Using a Vitamin A skincare product in your night time routine will help to smooth lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of large pores. Skin Actives’ retinyl acetate is a gentle retinol that you can use no matter what your age. We make a Vitamin A Serum made for combination or oily skin. Vitamin A Cream is for normal or dry skin. Vitamin A Cream with ROS Bionet and Apocynin is perfect for aging skin. Make sure to use any retinols only at night and use a sunscreen daily. The two Vitamin A Creams include hydrating and soothing actives that make an effective all-in-one night cream.
• Ascorbic Acid – Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid is a great way to get smoother, glowing skin. For more sensitive skin or for daily usage, try our Vitamin C Serum 15%. Use Vitamin C Serum 20% for all other skin types once or twice a week. Pro tip: layer with our Every Lipid Serum or Nourishing Skin Serum to prevent sensitivity.
• Hydroxy Acids – hydroxy acids are somewhat stronger than other exfoliants. We use 3 hydroxy acids in our Glycolic Alpha Beta Exfoliant to help control oiliness and acne-prone skin. Use once or twice a week as needed.
• Physical Exfoliants – if you haven’t yet tried our Enzymatic Exfoliation Powder, you should give it a try. It makes skin feel soft and smooth, and it is gentle on skin. This makes a great body scrub as well. Another enzyme is the Pumpkin Enzyme Exfoliant. Its an often neglected in our product lines, but it is a very effective gentle exfoliant that leaves your skin soft, smooth and hydrated after just one use. It is made of 100% pure fermented pumpkin.

Exfoliation is an important part of any skincare routine, but it is important to do it properly to avoid over-exfoliating or damaging your skin. By knowing your skin type, choosing the right exfoliant, and moisturizing afterwards, you can achieve healthy, glowing skin.

Still have questions? Our skincare experts are here for you. Drop us an email or give us a call at 1-480-813-5633, and we will answer your toughest skincare questions.