What do you think of when you hear the word exfoliator?
I know the first image that comes to mind is a thick, goopy mixture speckled with flecks and beads. I can almost feel the little bits scrape their way across my skin as I imagine rubbing them in. Imagining something similar? Exfoliating shouldn’t rub you the wrong way.
It’s common to think of exfoliation as a nice-to-have instead of a must-have.
“Exfoliating is for extra people! I don’t need all that noise!”
Congratulations on your stunning skin! (If only we could all be so lucky!)
But even for people who enjoy naturally glowing skin and don’t feel like they need to stress about pore care, exfoliants are your friends! There are many more benefits of exfoliants than you might think.
Before we dig into the why of exfoliating, let’s talk about the what.
In skincare, there are two types of exfoliants: physical exfoliants (like that described above) and chemical exfoliants. They work as you’d expect - physical exfoliants manually remove dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells, while chemical exfoliants are gentle acids (look for ingredients like AHA, BHA, and PHA) that work by breaking up the bonds between your skin cells to clear the grime away. Because of their different properties, you may find different places in your routine for them.
Blackheads Be Gone!
Let’s start with the basics - most of us on the quest for clear skin have looked at exfoliating as a way to dig deep and clear out our clogged pores. Whether we struggle with large pores or excess sebum, one of the nicest things we can do for our skin is keep it clear of dirt and impurities so it can breathe. Keeping your pores clean can also keep acne and infections at bay.
For deeper pore care like this, you can look for a gentle physical exfoliant like the Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X and incorporate it into your routine once or twice a week. I’m a big fan of clay masks as exfoliants because it gives me an excuse to kick back and chill out every once in a while.
Turn Over a New Leaf
Remember how I said clearing pores is just one of the many benefits of using exfoliators? They can also stimulate skin cell turnover, getting rid of the old and exposing a fresh new skin layer underneath. This is key if you struggle with bumps, sagging, and rough skin, as it encourages the regrowth of healthier and smoother skin. If this is a regular concern of yours, you can consider using an exfoliating toner like Bija Trouble Skin which contains salicylic acid (BHA) to help clear your skin. A toner like this is especially useful for those of us who struggle with acne, whether it be a daily affair or a seasonal struggle.
Pro tip: When using an exfoliating toner, apply it to your face with a cotton pad for a more even application!
Get Ready for What’s Next
Regular exfoliation can also make your skin more receptive to the rest of your skincare regimen. Who wouldn’t want their other skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin and work more effectively? A product like the Volcanic Calming Pore Clay Mask is formulated to be used daily. It’s a skin-peeling mask with AHA/PHA that gently melts away dead skin cells to reveal smooth skin that’s prepped and ready for the next products you want to use.
Remember to make sure an exfoliator you intend to use every day is made to be used that way. Some of these ingredients are stronger than others and if used improperly, can cause skin barrier damage that results in redness, flaking from dry skin, or irritation. Also, be careful not to over-exfoliate! Take the time you need to discover what will work well with your routine.
The TL;DR of this blog post is that if exfoliators aren’t already a part of your routine, I’d love for you to reconsider. They are simple additions that offer a world of difference. Prevention is better than cure, y’know?
But as always, take my advice with a grain of salt. You know your skin better than I do and will be the best person to decide how you go about caring for it.
Scrub a dub dub, buds!
X
Gi