Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, and it’s one of the key steps in any skin care routine. With time, the process of skin cell renewal reduces, exfoliation is needed to stimulate this process. It can be done chemically, through the use of acids or enzymes, or physically, by using a scrub to manually remove the dead skin cells. A good exfoliation gets rid of dead skin cells and unblocks pores, leaving your skin looking radiant and feeling softer. An important point about exfoliation is to avoid anything that will make your skin peel or bleed. You want to pamper your skin, not punish it.
Exfoliation may be necessary to help remedy certain skin conditions like dullness, or can simply be used to brighten your complexion and keep it feeling fresh and smooth. Exfoliation comes in many forms from scrubs to peels, so read on for everything you need to know about exfoliating and how to get started.
Types of Exfoliation
Physical exfoliation: This employs a physical agent to slough off dead skin cells and debris. One physical exfoliation method involves the use of small granules mixed with any liquid. The mixture is then tapped onto the skin and rubbed in using a circular motion; this “masque” is left on for a few minutes before being rinsed off. Another physical method is exfoliation via a scrub, a brush, or a buffing pad. When using these methods, you want to be careful not to over-exfoliate, which can dry out your skin or cause irritation.
Similarly, microdermabrasion treatments and washcloths use mechanical means to slough away dead skin cells.
The best physical exfoliants are those with smaller and finer particles, they are less coarse and injurious to the skin.
Chemical Exfoliation: Chemical exfoliation relies on acids—mainly alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)—to remove dead skin cells. AHAs dissolve the bonds that hold together dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, which results in brighter, smoother skin. BHAs are oil-soluble and penetrate deeper into pores, where they break up pore-clogging debris like blackheads and whiteheads. You can also find chemical exfoliants that contain both AHAs and BHAs, which make them very effective at revealing bright, smooth, even-toned skin while clearing out clogged pores.
NB: It is considered a “chemical” exfoliant because it uses ingredients that chemically dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells together on your skin.
There are two main types of chemical exfoliants: acids and enzymes. Acids are typically derived from natural sources, like fruit or plants, and include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid, which are water soluble, as well as beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, which are oil soluble. Enzymes are also derived from natural sources, like fruit or plants, but do not contain any chemicals. Instead, they contain enzymes that break down proteins in dead skin cells to loosen their bonds and help them slough off your face.
The benefits of using chemical exfoliants are numerous. First, they can improve the texture and tone of your skin by helping remove unevenly pigmented or dull skin on the surface layer. Second, they can help unclog pores by loosening up dirt and debris trapped inside them. Lastly, they can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin (this is especially true with AHAs).
Types of AHAs
Most common types of AHAs include:
Glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane): is considered the strongest AHA because of its small molecular size which enables it penetrate quicker into the skin and work fast.
Lactic acid (derived from milk): with a larger molecular size than the glycolic acid, it is milder and less irritating and doesn’t penetrate as deeply as glycolic acid, making it more of a surface exfoliant. It also hydrates skin.
Mandelic acid (derived from almonds) : is similar to glycolic acid in molecular size, making it also less irritating.
Citric acid (derived from citrus fruits): is the mildest and least irritating of the other AHAs mentioned above
BHAs are oil soluble and are able to penetrate the sebaceous gland of the skin to dissolve the glue that holds the dirt, grime and bacteria together in the skin.
The most common type of BHA is the salicylic acid.
Enzymes in some fruits and berries help break down protein that’s attached to dead cells, leaving skin looking fresher and brighter.
Difference between physical and chemical exfoliation
Ever wonder about the difference between chemical and physical exfoliants?
Well, it’s not as confusing as it sounds! Both types of exfoliants remove dead skin cells and other debris from the skin, which can help you achieve brighter, clearer, smoother skin with better texture and minimized pores. They also speed cell turnover, so your skin can look fresher overall.
The difference is how they work: chemical exfoliants use acids or enzymes to dissolve and loosen the cells that need exfoliating, while physical exfoliants contain actual particles or have a textured surface that works by scrubbing away the dead skin and debris.
Importance of Exfoliation
-It stimulates the process of cell regeneration
Exfoliating helps to increase cellular generation. The result? A fresher, smoother, brighter and healthier skin under the old skin is revealed as old skin is shed off.
-It helps to decongest the pores, thereby preventing acne
Exfoliation helps to unclog the pores. Removing dead skin cells and other debris helps prevent clogs that can form as a result of oil, dirt, and other substances getting trapped in the pores.
-It improves hydration
The more buildup of dead skin cells, the harder it is for your skin to absorb the hydrating moisturizers that you apply. It is likely your skin is dehydrated from not exfoliating. Exfoliation helps to buff away the flaky and dry skin. Following exfoliation up with a moisturizer helps your skin to absorb moisture and experience the glow of a hydrated skin.
-It evens the skin tone
Exfoliation can break down dry, dead skin and smooth your skin’s texture, which makes your complexion look more uniform over time. Dark spots, uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars are gotten rid of with consistent exfoliation.
-It stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage
Exfoliation has many benefits, including helping to remove toxins and other unhealthy debris from the body. This can give skin a glowy, radiant appearance. Exfoliation promotes a healthy glow by infusing the surface of your skin with fresh oxygenated blood.
-It restores elasticity
Regular exfoliation helps with collagen synthesis. Collagen is the protein responsible for how firm the skin is. Without collagen, the skin becomes saggy and wrinkly. Exfoliation helps to keep in plump, tight and youthful.
-It enables penetration of other skincare products
Pores are unclogged, the skin is smoothed, and dead cells and bacteria are removed, allowing deeper penetration of other products in your routine. Exfoliation will allow your moisturizers, serums and lotions to penetrate deeper because it removes the top-most part of the skin, giving your skincare products the opportunity to work effectively.
*Over-exfoliating
Yes, there is such a thing as over-exfoliating. It’s so easy to get carried away when the skin feels so smooth, but exfoliating too often can actually cause dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. It is advised that you exfoliate two time a week.
In summary, exfoliating is one of the major steps to a glowing skin. Do it well, and you will reap the benefits, do it too much, it becomes bad for your skin,
