In my skincare routine, I see exfoliating as a deep clean for my skin, getting in there and getting rid of cells that have accumulated revealing a healthy glowing face.
Exfoliation is most important to people with oily acne-prone skin. Individuals with skin type are recommended to exfoliate twice or thrice a week, with chemical exfoliators containing either AHAs or BHAs acids.
Types of exfoliators
The types of exfoliators that are used are physical and chemical exfoliators.
Physical Exfoliation
They contain visible scrubbing agents like ground grains or nuts; when rubbed together, they aid in extracting excessive oil, dead skin, and dirt from the skin.
I prefer a physical exfoliator; I rub it on my fingers and gently scrub my face with it and rinse it off, leaving my face revitalized and smooth.
Chemical exfoliation
They work by reducing the dead skin cells; the two primary acids to look out for are; AHAs and BHAs.
When it comes to oily skin, chemical exfoliators are the best because they are water-soluble and cut through the skin’s oily surface.
In my experimenting face to find a balanced routine, I learned that the different acids work differently, mainly because of an individual’s skin type.
A BHA exfoliator containing salicylic acid works well on oily acne-prone skin, improving the appearance of facial acne by 95%.
Chemical exfoliators with BHAs and AHAs can be used, but be careful and learn your skin type first.
The benefits of chemical exfoliators go further than exfoliation; they lighten pigmentation, reduce the intensity of fine lines & wrinkles and improve breakouts.
Proper exfoliation
Exfoliating depends on the type of exfoliator used; chemical exfoliator or physical exfoliator.
A rooky mistake that I made when I started my skincare routine was exfoliating every day, which is a big no.
With all exfoliators, we should read the instructions of use for improved and desired outcomes.
Using a physical exfoliator
Since this is my best exfoliator, I might as well elaborate on my routine.
Using my scrub, I rub it on my fingers, gently massage it on my face, leaving it on for a few minutes, then rinse it off.
My face feels light and revitalized, allowing my moisturizer to seep in and give me that well-desired glow.
Using chemical exfoliators
Chemical exfoliators come with more instructions since they contain chemicals that can cause harm if not used accordingly.
They do not need to be washed off; they are generally left on treatments. When applying one or two pumps is enough, apply on your skin, and you are set.
Afterward, apply your skin products and do not forget your sunscreen; AHAs products particularly tend to increase the skin’s sun sensitivity.
Is it possible to exfoliate too much?
Yes, it is possible; that is why it is recommended not to exfoliate every day.
Everyone should be careful with exfoliation since it can cause irritation and inflammation if overdone. Especially people with skin conditions like acne or rosacea should consult a doctor before starting an exfoliation regimen.
Exfoliating is recommended once or twice a week, according to your skin type and the type of exfoliator you are using.
Exfoliation should be done with your skin type as the primary consideration. Pay attention to the results you get after exfoliation.
So, how often should you exfoliate, ensuring you are getting the desired results. Dermatologists have different recommendations for different skin types.
This brings up the matter of how often to exfoliate oily acne-prone skin. These skin types can exfoliate two or three times a week if their skin can tolerate it.
Individuals with oily acne-prone skin should be sure to consult a dermatologist before starting their exfoliation regimen. This is because chemical exfoliators contain acids that can be harmful instead of helpful if used incorrectly.
They should go for products containing salicylic acid, as it is oil-soluble. These will mainly be of the chemical variety.
If you have a sensitive skin type like me, it is recommended to steer off abrasive materials when exfoliating.
If your skin does not respond to either of the exfoliators, try using advanced acids, but with directions from a professional.
Conclusion
In this post, I have covered:
- How to properly exfoliate your skin
- The types of exfoliators and how they work
- How to use the exfoliators
- Is it possible to exfoliate too much?
From these, the main takeaway is to know the correct type of exfoliator to use, and the number of times you should exfoliate.
Exfoliation for individuals with normal skin should be once or twice a week, with physical exfoliators with the aid of an exfoliating brush if need be.
Exfoliation for individuals with sensitive skin types should be once a week, with physical exfoliators excluding the use of any brushes. They can go chemical exfoliators but the light type.
Exfoliation for individuals with oily acne-prone skin should be twice or thrice in a week if the skin can handle it. Be sure to follow the instructions on the exfoliator and from the dermatologist.
