Exfoliating, Why You Should Start Right Now

Exfoliating is something many people skip when doing their daily skincare routine. However, this isn’t just an extra step that can be neglected when washing your face—it’s an essential component of basic hygiene and health. Skin cells turn over much more slowly when people age, so the appearance of a drier, more dull skin tone replaces youthful, glowing skin. Exfoliation is a way to speed up that process and overturn dead skin cells at a more rapid rate, thus bringing back healthy, young-looking skin for an overall brighter complexion. Read on to learn more about exfoliating, why you should start right now.

Exfoliating, Why You Should Start Right Now:

How to properly exfoliate your skin

Start with a regular cleanser or a vegan face wash for acne-prone skin. When using a chemical exfoliation method like salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) or lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), apply directly onto your face after cleansing, then wait for the product to dry before applying the rest of your skin care products.

Mechanical or manual exfoliation, such as the Get Buff! Vegan Exfoliating Cleanser, can be used together with the cleansing stage to slough away dead skin cells. Apply your other skincare products as usual after cleansing, exfoliating, and then drying your face.

Do I really need to exfoliate my skin?

In a word, yes! There are many reasons why you should exfoliate your skin, apart from the obvious youthful flow. Here are some of them:

1. It helps reduce and treat breakouts on acne-prone and oily skin

Acne tends to form a block on your skin, trapping the oil and dirt and causing it to form a raised bump. By exfoliating, you’re encouraging these clogged pores to come out, letting the skin cells on the surface of your pimple fall off. Chemical exfoliation with beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid is especially effective for oily or acne-prone skin.

2. It helps skincare products penetrate your skin better

By clearing a pathway on your skin’s top layers, exfoliation allows skincare products such as serums and moisturizers to penetrate the bottom layers more effectively, thus making them more potent. Anti-aging products and retinoids work better when they can get through fewer layers of stubborn dead skin cells to reach the epidermis.

3. It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles

By removing old, dead skin cells, exfoliation helps skin look younger and smoother. New skin always looks more taut, plump, and hydrated. By speeding up skin cell regeneration, you’re encouraging a fresher appearance and helping reduce signs of aging like fine lines.

4. It can help get rid of dry skin patches and improve sensitive skin

A build-up of dead skin cells can cause dry patches to appear, which is not a flattering look at all! The gentle abrasions caused by either physical exfoliation or chemical exfoliation help the dead skin peel away to reveal smoother, more moisturized skin. Using exfoliating products suitable for sensitive skin, such as hypoallergenic vegan cleansers, can prevent irritation.

Don’t forget the rest of your body; treat it with an exfoliating salt scrub to get smoother arms and legs too! Looking for a cleansing facial brush for an ultra deep clean? Try out one of these!

5. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage spots

If you have pesky brown spots on your skin, this might be a sign of sun damage. Exfoliation can remove pigmented dead skin cells from the surface more quickly and allow fresh, new skin to surface, improving skin tone and radiance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to exfoliate if I use benzoyl peroxide?

Yes, you can exfoliate if you use benzoyl peroxide, but with caution. Benzoyl peroxide can be drying and irritating, so it's best to use gentle exfoliating products and avoid over-exfoliating to prevent sensitivity. Consult a certified dermatologist for personalized advice.

Should you exfoliate if you have fungal acne?

If you have fungal acne, it's important to be careful with exfoliating products. Avoid heavy oils and certain chemical exfoliants that may worsen the condition. Gentle physical exfoliation or dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants can help remove dead skin cells without aggravating fungal acne.

Conclusion

Exfoliating is a crucial step in your skincare regimen because it promotes newer, younger skin to come to the surface. Not only will your skin look much younger and better overall, but your makeup will glide on more smoothly, giving you the next level of confidence. Scrub away, and slough away—exfoliation is your next step to more beautiful skin.

Are you looking for natural vegan skincare products that can exfoliate your skin without irritating it? Lowen’s Natural Skincare has just what you need! Our very own Get Buff! Vegan Exfoliating Facial Scrub is a product made from locally-sourced ingredients and is definitely gentle for all skin types, including sensitive skin. From balms, lotions, cleansers, and scrubs, we’ve got your skincare needs covered. To know more about our catalogue of products, visit our website today!