This Is Why You Need to Exfoliate Your Face
Exfoliation is one of the most crucial steps in any skincare routine. Exfoliating sloughs aways dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, clearer and more radiant complexion. With the dead skin cells removed, any masks, serums or moisturiser you apply afterwards will more effectively sink into the skin. Sounds good, right? But knowing how, when and what type of exfoliator you need can feel confusing and, let's face it, a little overwhelming. Keep reading for our straightforward guide.
What type of exfoliator should I use?
There are two types of exfoliator - physical, which is any type of scrub that uses particles such as salt, sugar or bamboo. Then there are chemical exfoliators that AHAs, BHAs and/or fruit enzymes to nibble away at the dead skin.
If you have blemish-free skin then you can use either - the new Goldfaden MD Doctor Scrub mimics an in-clinic microdermabrasion treatment which is essentially a super effective exfoliation. But if you have breakouts, inflammation, rosacea then you should tread carefully and opt for a gentler chemical exfoliator such as Freck's Cactus Water that is gentle and hydrating. Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub contains AHAs, BHAs and fruit enzymes alongside Cellulose, a soft physical exfoliant.
How often should I exfoliate?
Again, this depends on your skin and the exfoliator you have. With new skincare products it's always wise to start slow and build up gradually. Start once or twice a week, then build up to whatever the product instructions recommend - some exfoliators can be used daily!
At what point in my routine should I exfoliate?
Generally speaking, you exfoliate after cleansing and before applying your treatment products. But always follow the product instructions, some exfoliators are best used on dry skin, while others need the skin to be damp so check that first.
