5 Things No One Ever Tells You About Exfoliating

We’ve all heard of exfoliating before, but did you know there are a handful of exfoliation tips that no one ever talks about? Here’s some advice on exfoliation that you need to know:

You’re Exfoliating When You Don’t Even Know It

Not many people are aware of this, but your skin exfoliates on its own! This is also known as the cell turnover rate for your skin. The problem, however, is that your cells don’t ‘turn over’ and renew themselves at a fast enough rate, especially as you start to get older. By the time you’re thirty, the rate will start to slow down, giving you duller-looking skin and more hyperpigmentation.

This is where exfoliation in your skincare comes in. Another way people exfoliate without realizing is through waxing, which pulls not only hair from the root of the follicle but also the surrounding skin. Removing that top layer of dead skin is its own form of exfoliation. One of our exfoliation tips is to avoid using exfoliating skincare products before and after you wax any areas on your face, such as your upper lip or eyebrows.

The Best Time to Exfoliate

Another one of our exfoliation tips is to incorporate the process into your morning skincare routine instead of your nightly skincare routine. Because your cells turnover at night while you’re sleeping, exfoliation will work that much better in the morning when you can rub away the dead skin afterward.

It’s also important not to exfoliate too much, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Exfoliating too often or washing your face too often will cause the sebaceous glands in your skin to produce even more oil, causing breakouts. We recommend exfoliating once or twice a week instead.

Another one of our exfoliation tips is to exfoliate in the morning.

Before Exfoliating, Remember:

Remove your makeup! Cleanse away all that makeup before going into exfoliation, or else the makeup could get trapped in your pores and cause acne. Also, remember why you’re exfoliating in the first place if you ever feel lazy. Ultimately, regular exfoliation will remove dead skin, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, which are all signs of aging you want to avoid and prevent before it’s too late.

The Best Exfoliant for Your Skin

One of our exfoliation tips is to pick the right exfoliant for your skin. Many people look for an exfoliating skincare product and pick up the first one they see on the shelf, and then end up damaging their skin. You may not know this, but there are several different types of exfoliants, including physical, chemical, and electronic. While all aim to remove dead skin and help your skin appear soft and glowy, not all are suitable for everyone’s complexion.

While electronic exfoliants are gentle enough for daily use, physical and chemical exfoliants are ones you should use only once or twice a week unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise. Speaking of chemical exfoliants, your doctor might even recommend a chemical peel, which will help your skin peel away dead skin on its own to help with acne, scarring, and hyperpigmentation by using acid exfoliants.

This may sound intimidating, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. The best part? No scrubbing required! As for physical exfoliants that do require scrubbing, stay away from exfoliating products that contain granules with rough, sharp edges. These pieces can cause micro-tears in the skin that will leave long-term damage. If you choose to use physical exfoliants, go for rounded beads instead.

One of our exfoliation tips is to ask your dermatologist which type of exfoliant is right for your skin. This one is a physical exfoliant.

Don’t Be Too Rough

If you’re too rough on your skin, exfoliating can harm your skin rather than help it. Scrubbing your face too often or too roughly will again, result in damage that’s not easy to repair, so treat your skin with care.

We have plenty of physical and chemical exfoliating products to choose from in our Dr. Longwill Skincare shop. Stop by our office and ask one of our dermatologists which one is the right exfoliant for your skin!