While daily cleansing and moisturising is essential for your skin, exfoliating is another step in your skin care routine that you’ll not want to miss! And no, it’s not recommended you exfoliate every day, and how often you do totally depends on your skin’s specific needs, but there is no doubt how important exfoliating is for everyone, even those with sensitive skin. Read on as we talk all things exfoliation, including the many benefits and the best exfoliators to use.

What exactly is exfoliation?

Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells but sometimes, these dead cells don’t shed completely. This is where exfoliating becomes paramount. It’s the process of removing these dead skin cells and debris from the surface of your skin using a specific exfoliating product or tool. Without exfoliating skin can become clogged and issues start to arise.

What are the different types of exfoliation?

There are 3 different types of exfoliators;

1. Physical Exfoliators – these exfoliators which contain beads or small grains to manually remove surface debris. You can use this once or twice weekly and is better suited to combination and oily prone skin.
2. Chemical exfoliators – these exfoliators use acids (AHA’s or BHA’s) such as glycolic and lactic acids that chemically dissolve debris.
3. Enzyme exfoliators – these exfoliators are plant or fruit derived and work more gently than chemical exfoliators. They effectively break down the “glue” that holds dead, dulling skin cells together, in turn shedding those old skin cells and speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process at the same time.

How often should you exfoliate?

The general rule of thumb is to exfoliate once or twice weekly but this also depends on the type of exfoliator you are using as well as your skin type and concern. A physical exfoliator can be used once or twice a week. It is better suited to combination or oily prone skin. A gentle chemical exfoliant may be used daily depending on its strength. Just be sure to listen to your skin!

What are the key benefits of exfoliating?

Aside from cleansing away dry and dead skin, regular exfoliation increases the skin’s radiance, clarity and youthfulness…and that’s just the start….

1. It brightens skin

As we age our cell turnover slows down and dead skin cells sitting on our skin’s surface can give us a dull, devitalized complexion! Exfoliating is THE one step in your skincare routine that effectively removes this layer of dead skin, restoring your healthy, vibrant glow.

2. It unclogs pores

Dead skin sitting on our skin’s surface literally covers our pores, resulting in skin issues such as irritations and blemishes. Exfoliation removes these dead skin cells and ensures pores remain clog free!

3. It prevents acne

Dead skin cells clog pores and when our sebaceous glands produce oil, it gets ‘stuck’ under the dead skin. This causes pimples and even acne because there is nowhere for the oil to go. Exfoliating effectively will unclogs pores therefore reducing the chances of getting these unwanted breakouts!

4. It helps other skincare products to better penetrate skin for optimum results

There is little point in splurging on fancy face creams and superlative serums if they are simply going to sit on the surface of your skin! Applying your skincare to a surface of dead skin cells (yuck) is ineffective, that’s because ingredients only work if they can get deep down into the dermis. Often people with dry skin tend to gravitate towards rich, heavy moisturisers not realising that the dryness they feel is in fact a layer of dead skin preventing their moisturiser from absorbing! Regular exfoliating will ensure your products can penetrate your skin, allowing you to reap in the benefits of your regular skincare routine.

5. It stimulates the production of collagen

Exfoliating also actually offers anti-aging benefits! As we age our natural collagen production starts to diminish. Exfoliating can actually stimulate our body’s natural ability to produce collagen, helping to keep skin looking plump, hydrated and more youthful!

6. It evens out skin texture

Exfoliants break down dry and dead skin while smoothing texture, which means the skin appears to look more uniform over time.

7. It boosts circulation

Exfoliation can also help detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage by removing toxins as well as dead skin cells. The results, a beautiful instant, rosy flush.

 

What are the best exfoliators according to the BC experts?

Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes

Good for SENSITIVE SKIN

If you are a sufferer of sensitive skin, we highly recommend this very gentle enzyme exfoliant. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating skin.

“I have the most sensitive skin, so I can’t use exfoliants that contain microbeads or scrubs…this is a great alternative. It sloughs off all of the dead skin cells without ever irritating my skin! I use it once a week at the minimum, and it keeps my face glowing and smooth. It’s the most wonderful exfoliant ever!” Sarah R

 

Phytomer Cyfolia Radiance Exfoliating Cream

Good for DRY, DULL SKIN

If your skin is dry, dull or devitalised, this exfoliant is a must! It does exactly what the name says! It gently exfoliates skin to reveal a truly radiant complexion! It features two organic exfoliants – argan kernels and pomegranate seeds, as well as Algae, Oligomer and Orange water that work together to immediately clear away rough and dull skin for a visibly softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single application.

“I love this product. It does wonders for my dehydrated, dull skin! It has a beautiful texture, is not harsh at all and the results speak for themselves. My skin is so soft and almost glowy after I use it. LOVE” Tina R

Pevonia Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream

Good for ALL SKIN TYPES

No matter what your skin type if you are a fan of enzyme exfoliators over physical scrubs you are going to fall in love with this exfoliant. This little beauty (a mini facial in a jar as I call it!) does wonders for the skin. And no don’t let the word ‘peel’ put you off! It combines natural fruit pineapple and papaya enzymes to gently and effectively eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells and toxins and it’s so easy to use! Simply apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, wet your fingertips with warm water (this will help to ‘wake up’ the enzymes) and work the peeling cream with gentle massage movements into skin, leave on for 5 minutes and then thoroughly rinse away. Nothing makes skin feel cleaner, softer, smoother and brighter than this jar of goodness!! Trust me.

“Absolutely the best product on the market. Perfect for all skin types and ages. Truly amazing. It’s gentle and effective, skin is left bright and soft.” Lisa W