Have you heard over and over that you are supposed to exfoliate your skin? And not just exfoliate, but do so regularly. But why? And how? And how often?
We are told to exfoliate, but why? Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells that have built up on your skin (the epidermis). If you don't remove these dead cells, they end up thickening over time. Why is this bad? Well, it can cause skin to be dull, rough, dry, pores will become clogged, and less oxygen can reach your healthy skin. In turn, when less oxygen reaches your skin, spots can start to appear. Basically your skin starts to look really unhealthy, all because of those dead cells.
What's the solution? Exfoliation! You can go the route of a harsh, expensive chemical peel, or you can simply use a body and face scrub 1-3x a week. We vote for the scrub - it can be done easily, inexpensively, naturally and in the comfort of your own home! Scrubs come in various types but all contain granules which slough away the dead cells and impurities. Scrubs usually contain salt or sugar granules and the finer the granules, the more gentle they will be. Scrubs should be gently massaged in a circular motion into the skin, never roughly scrubbed. You want to gently remove the dead cells, not damage the skin!
What benefits should you see after using a scrub regularly? Regular exfoliation encourages natural cell regeneration. And because it is receiving more oxygen, your skin will renew faster, making it more radiant. In addition, scrubs will reduce fine lines and wrinkles, making skin feel softer and appear younger. And the best part? Your skin products will penetrate better too! This is because your protective layer of skin will be thinner and more permeable, allowing your products to go deeper and be more efficient.
The best scrubs will have ingredients that:
Are natural
Exfoliate (salt, sugar, etc.)
Nourish and repair (coconut oil, essential oils, etc.)
Tone (essential oils, etc.)
And remember, if you use a scrub, wait a day to spend time in the sun. Your skin needs time to regenerate so it can protect itself. If you can't wait, use sun protection.
What's your favorite scrub? Ours are this all natural Citrus Face Scrub and Citrus Body Scrub!
Rachel Bartels
Author