If you don’t exfoliate, you may be missing an essential step in your skin care routine.
Skin care needn’t be complicated or costly, but there are a few basic products that anyone serious about good skin needs:
- a gentle cleanser
- a well formulated sunscreen
- antioxidants
- a retinoid (as found in Green Cream)
- a product that exfoliates
If you specific skin care concerns – dry skin, acne or hyperpigmentation, for example – seek out specific solutions for these.
When you exfoliate, you are getting rid of dead, dry skin cells that sit on skin’s surface. Although harmless, dead skin cells can make skin look dull and dry. Remove them and healthy new skin shines through. Additionally, when you exfoliate, you remove the barrier that may impede the absorption of active ingredients.
You can exfoliate in one of two ways – chemically or mechanically. Mechanical exfoliation relies on pressure – a washcloth or a scrub will help to whisk away dead, dry skin cells. Results from mechanical exfoliation depend on the skill of the practitioner. Rub too lightly and you may not remove any skin. Rub too harshly and you risk causing irritation. If you do opt for this route, select well formulated products that are specifically intended for the purpose. You may like Neostrata Skin Resurfacing Duo.
Chemical exfoliation relies on the application of ingredients that break down the ‘glue’ that holds skin together resulting in the removal of dead skin cells at the surface. Products sold for at home use don’t penetrate any deeper than the top layer so there is little risk of damaging skin. Ingredients including fruit acids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are excellent chemical exfoliants. We stock a wide selection of AHA products including M2 HP Refinish Serum and Neostrata Skin Renewal Peel Solution. View our full selection here.
Oily skin types may wish to opt (or also use) a product with a BHA. BHAs penetrate through oil clogged pores, helping to manage acne. La Roche Posay’s Effaclar line is formulated with salicylic acid, a BHA and is ideal for oily skin.
