Exfoliators: Who Needs Them?

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Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

by Andi Bradshaw

Exfoliating should be a consistent part of your skin care routine, if you want to get the best results from your skin care products and moisturizers. Healthier, smoother looking skin will help keep you looking younger than your age. That may not be such a good idea if you’re fifteen, but for those of us who are over 30 or 35, well…

Frequently referred to as scrubs, exfoliators are made to lift and remove dull, dry or dead skin cells. They are comprised of sugars, salts, dried fruits, nuts, grasses, flowers and grains (wheat, corn or oats). They may be roughly ground for use on the body and very finely ground for use on the face and you can usually find one or more in creams, oils, lotions and compressed (bar) or liquid soaps.

Why Do I Need an Exfoliator?

Exfoliators are needed because every 25 days, your skin renews itself and without an exfoliator, any un-removed dead cells can accumulate and result in white heads or hair bumps. If either becomes infected, you have the beginning stage of acne, particularly on your shoulders or back where the skin is dryer. The body requires larger scrubbing particles, which won’t harm or scratch the skin unless used with more than usual pressure.

If you want your skin to look polished and if you want the natural oils that your skin produces to surface, then you need to exfoliate. That’s the best way to remove dead skin cells and help your skin stay smooth and soft. Men get an exfoliating effect from shaving however the top of their faces would get a positive result from a weekly facial scrub.

What do they do?

The scrubbing granules are much smaller for the face, so they won’t irritate or enlarge the pores. When exfoliators are used properly, the tiny granules polish the skin by lifting and removing the dead skin cells that prevent natural oils from surfacing. When your natural oils are blocked from the surface, you get clogged pores which can develop into white heads and if the pore becomesinfected with bacteria it can develop into acne, particularly on your back or shoulders where your skin is dryer.

How do I use Facial Exfoliators?

If your skin type is combination, a lotion exfoliator will work best; for dry skin, cream based products are more effective; if you have sensitive skin, look for a baking soda based scrub, they’re more gentle and for those with oily skin, gel based products work best for you. While your face is still wet, place a teaspoon of your exfoliator on your wet face cloth.

Gently scrub in a circular motion; all over your face and throat for about 30 seconds. Rinse your cloth thoroughly, and use it to rinse/wipe away the exfoliating grains. Use a clean towel to pat your face dry and then complete with the application of your toner, eye treatment and your moisturizers.

Women often believe that scrubbing longer or more often than recommended will result in better looking skin; it doesn’t and it could make your skin extremely dry. Companies formulate their products to respond to the recommended time that will give the best resultsExfoliator directions usually recommend a twice weekly use, so if you follow the directions, you’ll enjoy the benefits of your home facial.

About the Author:

Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has helped to enhance the faces of more than 15,000 faces. The information in this piece was taken from the book “Skin Care for Moms & Other Working faces”. Check out Andi’s bookstore for this and 17 additional age specific, step by step, illustrated makeup and skin care books. Affordable makeup and skin care books.