How To Exfoliate At Home
As we grow older, our skin’s cell turnover naturally begins to slow down. Left unaided, this decline in cellular turnover will eventually lead to a dull complexion that is more prone to wrinkles. The good news is that we can help slow down the aging process.
With the proper skincare routine, we can boost the cellular turnover of our skin. The process involves removing the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal the softer, smoother, and brighter skin below. This can also help prevent acne and even out skin tone.
Today I’m sharing my tried and true tips and methods for safely exfoliating at home. I say safely because this is an area where too much of a good thing can leave your skin feeling and looking very irritated for several days. People with sensitive or acne-prone skin should start slow and be careful not to overdo it. Over-exfoliating can cause redness or trigger a breakout.
How To Exfoliate At Home
One such way of boosting your skin’s health is to manually exfoliate your skin at home. This can be done in one of two ways.
Physical Exfoliants–They consist of products that contain small particles, like a salt or sugar scrub, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning. As well as the textured surfaces of a washcloth or bristle brush that work by scrubbing away dead skin.
Chemical Exfoliation– These types of exfoliants do the work for you versus having to do it manually. Most chemical exfoliants are made up of acids and enzymes. The most common being Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid. And Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid and chemical peels.
Enzyme exfoliants come from fruit acids like papaya and pineapple. They tend to be more gentle and better suited for people with sensitive skin.
Skin exfoliating isn’t limited to just your face either. Regularly exfoliating your entire body will help remove dry skin and help in the prevention of ingrown hairs. It also makes the rest of your skincare routine more effective by improving the absorption rate of other topical skincare products.
Tip One
Know your skin. The first tip is to figure out which skin exfoliating process is right for your skin type. If you have normal or combination skin then either process should be fine for you. If you have dry, sensitive skin, choosing a gentle chemical exfoliator or soft washcloth is a better choice. Anyone with darker skin or pigmentation issues should be careful to exfoliate in the gentlest way possible. As well as go to a professional if you want more aggressive treatment.
Tip Two
Frequency. Exfoliating once a week with most exfoliation methods is plenty. Especially if you already use skin care products with retinol. Overdoing it will dry out your skin and cause redness and irritation. If you have a sunburn or any cuts or rashes, it would be a good idea to take a break.
Tip Three
Hydration. To avoid redness and dry skin, be sure to use hydrating skincare products immediately afterward. Thick creams or oils for your body and hydrating facial products for your skin type. And last but definitely not least, drink lots of water!
3 Homemade Face Scrubs
Honey & Brown Sugar Scrub
There are only two ingredients in this moisturizing facial scrub. Honey and sugar are both humectants (they retain or preserve moisture). So this scrub is perfect for anyone with dry skin.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp fine brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp raw honey
Directions
Mix the brown sugar and honey together into a thick paste. Rub the scrub on your face using gentle circular motions. Rinsing with warm water when finished to remove all the honey and sugar.
Pat your face dry and follow up with a face moisturizer.
Baking soda Add-In Scrub
Because of its super fine texture, baking soda works great for an easy at-home microdermabrasion treatment. This scrub is also gentle enough for all skin types.
Ingredients
- 1 tea baking soda
- your regular liquid cleanser (I use Cetaphil)
Directions
As easy as it gets, just add the baking soda into a pump of your regular liquid facial cleanser. Rub in small circular motions, then rinse clean with warm water.
Pat your face dry and apply face moisturizer.
Coconut Oil And Sea Salt Body Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 15 drops essential oil
Directions
In a small container, add the sea salt and essential oils to the melted coconut oil. Stir it up and store the body polish in a cool place until ready to use.
While in the shower, apply the scrub to your body. In circular motions, rub up and down your body and then rinse clean with warm water. Be careful not to slip, as the oil can make the shower floor slippery. Because of the oil on your skin, there will be no need to add another moisturizer after drying off.
People with sensitive skin can exfoliate their bodies up to twice a week. Normal skin can exfoliate three times a week. And if you have oily skin, you should be ok exfoliating up to four times a week.
Store-Bought Scrubs
What it is: Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub is a gentle yet powerful exfoliator infused with pineapple and papaya enzymes, BHA’s, and AHA’s that leaves skin with a healthy glow.
What it is: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish. An award-winning natural sugar scrub that gently buffs dry skin while delivering 24-hour moisture.
What it is: Fresh Sugar Lip Polish. A hydrating scrub that gently buffs and smooths dry, flaky lips while maintaining moisture.
If making scrubs at home isn’t your thing, here are a few of my favorite face and body scrubs. These will keep you looking glowing and refreshed at all times!
I hope you found this helpful, and as always, please leave any comments or questions down below!
Xx Montii
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