What is exfoliation? To put it simply, the process of exfoliation is to remove the dead skin cells from your skin. It can be performed chemically using scrubs that contain special acids that dissolve dead skin cells or conducted physically using abrasive scrubs. Every 30 days or so, your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to welcome new ones. However, sometimes dead skin cells are not completely shed and are left behind, clogging your precious pores and making your skin dry or flaky. Exfoliating can help you avoid this issue effectively. Why is it important to exfoliate regularly? They’re just a bunch of dead skin cells, why bother? The truth is, exfoliating should not be taken lightly. The body’s cell regeneration process slows down as we age. Consequently, it would take longer to generate new skin cells and shed dead ones. This without question leads to dead skin cells piling up on the surface of the skin, leaving your face looking rough, dull, and dry. Moreover, in the event of excess facial oil, the old skin cells can clog pores to cause breakouts. Regular exfoliation relieves the epidermis of the outer layer of dead skin cells and uncovers fresh new cells below. This way skincare products can penetrate deeper into the skin, thus increasing their absorption and effectiveness. The long-term result of regular exfoliating involves enhanced collagen production. As you may already know, collagen is the secret to vibrant, healthy skin. It also minimizes aging signs and promotes skin elasticity. Overall, adopting regular exfoliation as part of your skincare routine will keep your look fresh and glowing Benefits of skin exfoliation Exfoliation, if done correctly, can bring about these benefits: Unclogged pores: As mentioned above, exfoliation gets those dead skin cells that might clog your pores and result in breakouts out of the way. With proper facial exfoliation, no need to concern about acne or blemishes! Better circulation: Exfoliation also stimulates the skin surface, which in turn boosts blood flow and gives your face a healthy glow. Improved absorption: The removal of old skin cells and other debris undoubtedly enables the skin to better absorb skincare products. Brighter, smoother complexion: By stripping your skin off this dull outer layer, exfoliators help nourish silky smooth and soft skin [1]. How often should you exfoliate your body? There is not a universal answer to this million-dollar question. Yet, many agree that two to three times a week is an acceptable frequency. While daily exfoliation poses the risk of stripping away too much of your skin’s natural oil, exfoliating only once a week is not enough to remove that extra layer of unwanted skin cells. Exfoliation is all about balance, so letting dead skin cells go on their merry way two or three times per week should be suitable for most skin types. A great skincare routine to shoot for is a weekly peel or mask, plus two to three nights a week of using an acid serum. 5 ways to exfoliate your face naturally Before exfoliating your face, you should first determine your skin type as different skin types will trigger different reactions to exfoliation methods. People with sensitive or dry skin are recommended to try a washcloth for gentle physical exfoliation or a mild chemical exfoliator. On the contrary, people with thicker or oily skin may need stronger chemical or physical exfoliators. Whatever your skin type is, there is a natural homemade scrub for you. Using natural ingredients, these exfoliators are safe, economical, and gentle on the skin. All you need is a measuring spoon or cup, a mixing bowl, and the ingredients listed below. Coffee Believe it or not, coffee does more than just give you an energy boost in the morning. Its antioxidant properties prevent moisture loss and protect your skin against UV damage. What’s more, the caffeine in coffee stimulates the skin and improves blood circulation to promote youthfulness and radiance. Put three teaspoons of freshly ground coffee into a bowl. Add half a cup of yogurt. You can replace yogurt with full-fat milk if you have dry skin. Use a mixer to blend them and leave the mixture aside for a few minutes. Add a teaspoon of honey once the mixture thickens. Mix it well before applying the mixture to your face. Scrub in upward circular motions for eight to ten minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. Sugar With small and rough grains, sugar is ideal for getting rid of dead skin cells. It is considered one of the best natural exfoliants and is widely used by the skin-conscious community. Get half a cup of brown or white sugar. Add enough grapeseed or olive oil to make a paste. Mix them well. Apply the mixture onto the face in circular motions. Let it sit for ten minutes before cleansing with warm water. Oatmeal Another effective ingredient for an easy homemade exfoliator is oatmeal. This ingredient reduces the extra facial oil, removes excess sebum from the skin, and keeps your face clean. It is therefore highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin. Get two tablespoons of oatmeal. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of whole milk to the mixture. Leave it aside until the oatmeal softens. Add a few drops of rosewater to the mixture (if possible) and mix it well. Apply the mixture onto your face and massage gently for a few minutes. Wash it off with cold water. Banana You’re not a fan of oils on your face? No worries, try this exfoliating scrub with banana as its base and some oatmeal. Like many other fruits, bananas are rich in nutrients. They are loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin A traces. Bananas also contain silica – a relative of silicone. This mineral element can encourage collagen production in your skin. Grind the oatmeal in a food processor until you get a fine powder. Take a ripe banana and mash it until you get a smooth texture. Mix these two ingredients in a bowl. Apply the mixture onto your face in circular motions for one to two minutes. Cleanse it off with water. The leftover mixture can be kept in an airtight container to be stored in a refrigerator. Baking soda Baking soda can exfoliate the skin deeply and clear your skin of any grime, dirt, or dead cells. Added to this scrub is lemon to minimize sebum production. Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl. Add half a tablespoon of honey to the mixture. Mix all the ingredients well till you get a smooth paste. Scrub the paste on your face gently in circular motions from three to four minutes. Rinse it off with warm water Although a good exfoliating session can do wonders for your dull skin, as with any scrub, you are subject to allergic reactions. With this in mind, after you complete preparing a natural scrub, apply a small amount of the mixture to the inside of your elbow. It is safe to use on your face as long as the skin there shows no reactions to the ingredients. Don’t use the scrub on any areas of broken skin such as an irritated acne blemish or a cut. It’s best to avoid exfoliating when you have chapped, reddened, or sunburned skin
