Proper Skin Exfoliation 

Exfoliation is an essential part of skincare. Consider your favorite celebs, notice how their skin always seems softly aglow? Think Beyonce, for instance — her glowing skin, so fabulous and amazing. It’s a result of proper skincare.

Every glowing skin you see and adore is born out of a healthy skincare routine that includes exfoliation. You could be the one with the smooth, luscious skin too if you take care of your skin right. 

Exfoliating as part of your normal skincare routine helps to unclog pores, remove bacteria, and keep your skin balanced.

Can you do it wrong? Yes. How do you exfoliate right? Let's talk about that.

You can exfoliate your skin in a variety of ways. The method you adopt and how often you exfoliate should be determined by your skin type. Some people are familiar with the mechanical method of exfoliation where you use either a scrub, glove, sponge, or scrub.

If you didn’t already know this, there is also a chemical method to exfoliate. The chemical methods involve the use of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA) to shed dead skin particles. 

Below are different skin types, as well as the recommended method of exfoliation and proper ways of doing it. 

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) advises people with dry or sensitive skin to opt for mild chemical exfoliants or a washcloth for gentle physical exfoliation. 

Apply the chemical exfoliant gently in a small, circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Do this for about 30 seconds then rinse with lukewarm water. Take note, lukewarm water not hot water. Hot water may be abrasive and can strip the skin of natural oils, making it feel drier. 

For acne-prone skin, you might find this Perfec-Tone Exfoliating Cleanser particularly effective. It contains chemical exfoliants to help remove the acne-causing bacteria. It also contains aloe vera and green tea extracts to restore the skin’s pH and combat free radicals. Overall, it is a good choice for acne-prone skin.  

After exfoliating, apply a suitable moisturizer like the Perfec-Tone Miracle Moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

Generally, exfoliating once or twice weekly is sufficient for dry skin. 

Oily or thicker skin types may benefit from stronger chemical or mechanical exfoliation methods. This can help eliminate the extra layer of buildup on the surface of oily skin. 

If you have a darker skin tone or observe dark areas on your skin after acne breakouts, bug bites, or burns, avoid strong chemical or mechanical exfoliation. More vigorous techniques of exfoliation can cause dark spots on the skin in some persons, particularly those with darker skin tones.

If you’re safe to use strong chemical or mechanical exfoliation methods, then you must apply the product in a circular motion and do it often for optimal results. 

Rinse with lukewarm water after exfoliating and don’t forget to moisturize. Check out Perfec-Tone’s moisturizers to give radiant and hydrated skin. 

If you are part of the normal skin crew, both mechanical and chemical exfoliating methods can be effective. It may be necessary to experiment to see which technique works best for your skin. 

Start gradually and observe the frequency your skin can handle.  

The right way to exfoliate is by making circular motions on the skin with the exfoliating product. Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize afterward. 

People with combination skin types should focus more on exfoliating the oily parts of the skin. Both chemical and mechanical exfoliation methods can be effective for this skin type. Both methods should not be carried out on the same day. 

Allocate specific days for each. If your skin can handle it, exfoliate two to three times a week. 

To exfoliate, apply the product to your skin and gently massage it for as long as the product specifies which is usually around 30 seconds to a minute. Then, rinse with warm water. 

Following exfoliation, apply moisturizer slowly to dry skin areas and sparingly to oily skin areas. Ensure you use high-quality moisturizers.  

Follow the steps below to get optimal results using the mechanical exfoliation method.

• Begin by cleansing your face with an appropriate cleanser. 
• Then, take some of your face scrub and massage it into your skin in circular motions. Avoid the eye area. Do this for 30 seconds.
• After that, rinse with warm water and gently wipe your skin with a clean towel.
• Lastly, apply a hydrating cream or serum. 

The following steps will guide you in exfoliating your face with a chemical exfoliant.

• Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face.
• Apply your chemical exfoliator all over your face, décolleté, neck, and even the tops of your hands.
• Leave for a few minutes to allow the chemical exfoliant to absorb into the skin. 
• Rinse off with warm water, dry your face with a clean towel and moisturize. Never forget to moisturize.  

As you know, the pubic area can be thought of as sensitive skin and because of this, you need to be careful when exfoliating. 

It is advisable to do this in a warm shower, to soften the skin first before exfoliating. If you’re going to use a physical exfoliant, ensure it is a sensitive-skin product. Gently apply the scrub to the area and let it sit for a while. Then rinse off. If you are using a chemical exfoliant, massage gently into the skin and let the skin absorb it for a few minutes. Rinse off afterward. 

After exfoliating, a fragrance-free moisturizer should be applied to the area. 

Regardless of how eager you are to improve your skin, you must avoid using an exfoliant that is excessively harsh or moving from one type of exfoliation to another. 

Also, chemical exfoliants can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. So, keep an SPF handy.