Exfoliation is an essential part of one’s skincare routine, irrespective of gender, especially if you want fresh and glowing skin. It is necessary to eliminate the dead skin cells regularly with Exfoliation, no matter your skin type. Unfortunately, many of us tend to either over-exfoliate or under, which might cause more harm than good. This article presents you with detailed information about how you can exfoliate your skin based on skin type and body part in detail. Read on!


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What is Exfoliation?

The removal of dead skin cells from your skin’s outer layer is called skin exfoliation. Though it might not be for everyone, many people believe that Exfoliation improves skin’s appearance.

The upper layer (epidermis) of your skin sheds when it undergoes a natural turnover cycle every 30 days or so, revealing new skin from the dermis’s middle layer. However, there is no clear-cut process for the cell turnover cycle. This might result in clogged pores, dry patches, and flaky skin, mainly if your dead skin cells don’t shed fully. This is where Exfoliation helps you get rid of those remaining dead cells.

Exfoliation Benefits / Why You Should Exfoliate?

Regeneration is a constant process for human skin, and for healthy skin, the Exfoliation of the skin at home is essential. But, unfortunately, your skin’s natural regenerative powers deteriorate as we age.

Still, you can help your skin’s regeneration process by including Exfoliation in your skincare routine. Therefore you can make way for new skin cells and remove dead ones.

There are several options to exfoliate skin naturally. Whichever you opt for, the process will make your skin rejuvenated and refreshed beautifully. The following section gives you details about the different tools you can use for Exfoliation without having to spend thousands of bucks.

Read More: Homemade Exfoliating Scrubs

The Best Tools for Exfoliation:

There are several products and tools available in the market that will help you exfoliate your skin in the comfort of your home. Mechanical and chemical Exfoliation is the two ways by which you can Exfoliate your skin.

Physical or Mechanical Tools:

Mechanical or physical tools for Exfoliation include facial brushes, scrubs, etc.

1. Exfoliation Sponge:

If you are looking for a gentler way to exfoliate your skin, and Exfoliation sponge can be the right choice. Warm water, soap, or body wash can be an excellent aid to add lather to the Exfoliating sponge.

2. Exfoliating Brush:

An exfoliating brush that helps remove layers of dead skin cells from the face or body comes in a bristle brush. You can use it with a body wash or cleanser and use it for dry brushing.

3. Exfoliating Scrub:

An Exfoliating scrub is gentle on the skin and can be applied directly. Once you use the scrub, make circular motions to scrub for a few minutes. Later, wash your skin with warm water.

4. Exfoliating Glove:

You can choose an Exfoliating glove if you find brushes or sponges challenging to grip. When in the shower, you can lather the glove with body wash or soap. Legs or arms that have large surface areas are the best places to use Exfoliating gloves.

Chemical Tools:

Chemical tools eliminate dead skin cells with the help of chemical reactions using specific enzymes. Let us know what these tools are:

1. Beta-Hydroxy Acids (Bhas):

BHAs can penetrate the skin’s surface and are oil-soluble: salicylic acid is one of the most common BHA. They dissolve dead skin cells from within, clearing out the pores, and are great for acne-prone people. They also help reduce swelling and redness that comes with breakouts because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (Ahas):

AHAs provide the most traditional form of Exfoliation, giving you healthier and brighter skin by dissolving the dead skin cells on the surface. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are the common AHAs.

3. Poly-Hydroxy Acids (Phas):

These are similar to AHAs but have larger molecules, making them gentler on the skin. Lactobionic acid, galactose, and gluconolactone are some examples of PHAs. They work exceptionally for people with sensitive skin.

4. Trichloroacetic Acids (Tcas):

These are better for signs of ageing, melasma, scarring, and reversing hyperpigmentation by providing a deeper peel. Clinical-grade peels are where you can find these chemicals.

5. Fruit Enzymes:

If you are a person who has trouble with AHAs, BHAs, and TCAs, fruit enzymes come to save the day. Papaya or pear are some of the frequently used fruit enzymes.

Read More: Best Skin Exfoliators

How To Exfoliate Your Skin by Skin Type:

Every skin type requires a different exfoliation process. Therefore, we have presented you with the essential things you need to keep in mind while exfoliating different skin types:

1. Dry Skin:

It is necessary to know how to exfoliate dry skin or flaky skin. But there is a chance of creating microtears because the process is drying. Therefore, it is best to avoid mechanical Exfoliation, especially if you have dry skin.

It is best to use Glycolic acid, an AHA that encourages healthy skin turnover and eliminates the dead skin cells on your skin’s surface. After using glycolic acid, don’t forget to follow up with an SPF and moisturizer.

2. Sensitive Skin:

If you are looking to exfoliate sensitive skin, make sure to avoid using mechanical methods or scrubbing since they can lead to redness because of irritation. Instead, apply a mild chemical exfoliator using a gentle washcloth. Salicylic acid peel is another option you can try at the office of your dermatologist for acne.

3. Oily Skin:

Many of us struggle with the maintenance of oily skin and deal with all its problems. And if you want to know how to exfoliate your oily skin, make sure to add brushing and manual Exfoliation. Manual Exfoliation helps eliminate the extra layer of build-up present on the oily skin. For best results, use an exfoliator or scrub in circular motions.

4. Normal Skin:

You can choose any method of Exfoliation if you have normal skin that doesn’t have any complications. For this skin type, manual and chemical Exfoliation are both safe. However, you might have to experiment a little to see which method works best for your skin.

5. Combination Skin:

As the name suggests, combination skin has both dry and oily areas on its face. Therefore, it needs a different Exfoliation process altogether. The best approach is to use a mix of mechanical and chemical Exfoliation for combination skin.

But make sure you don’t use them both on one day because they might irritate you. Instead, use a moisturizer immediately if your skin feels dry after Exfoliation.


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Exfoliation By Body Part:

In the above section, we have discussed how you can exfoliate based on skin type. Here below, we have explained in detail how you can exfoliate sensitive areas of your body.

1. Face:

Your skin type is the determining factor as to what type of exfoliant to use on your face.

  • If you are using a scrub to exfoliate your face mechanically, use your finger to apply circular motions to exfoliate your face. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face.
  • If you are using a liquid chemical exfoliant, use a washcloth or cotton pad for application. Talk to your dermatologist if you wish to know which exfoliation process suits your skin.

2. Lips:

Lips are the most sensitive organs on our face, and it is best to limit exfoliating lips to once to three times a week to avoid drying your lips. Make sure to use a warm washcloth with a sugar scrub. It is necessary to be very gentle while exfoliating your lips because going overboard might cause redness.

Read More: How To Exfoliate Lips

3. Arms And Legs:

Using a brush, sponge, or glove is the best way to exfoliate the skin on your arms and legs. This helps stimulate circulation and gets rid of dead skin cells. Lather yourself in the shower once you pick a body scrub from the online or local pharmacy. Dry brushing is another option you can try.

4. Feet And Hands:

A pumice stone can be an excellent choice to exfoliate the feet in the comfort of your home. Whereas to exfoliate feet and hands, several peels and scrubs are available for you to choose from.

5. Pubic Area:

Many of us tend to ignore the pubic area and don’t feel the need to exfoliate the area. But suppose you wish to exfoliate your pubic area and the bikini line. In that case, you can use a body brush or a loofah which is gentle on the inner space. Make sure you soften your skin first with a warm shower before Exfoliation, Be gentle, and afterwards, wash thoroughly.

Precautions:

Here are some precautions you need to follow during skin exfoliation.

  • Take care not to strip your skin of natural oils and lipids. Try to be gentle on your skin during Exfoliation.
  • Make sure to pick gentle scrubs.
  • Fix up a proper routine for skincare.
  • Exfoliation shouldn’t be done daily.
  • Depending on your skin type and needs, you can decide the frequency of Exfoliation.
  • Exfoliate your skin not more than twice a week if you have mature or dry skin. Make sure to pick oil-based scrum and moisturizing products.
  • Exfoliate three times a week if you have oily and combination skin.
  • Depending on the necessity, you can exfoliate your skin twice a week if you have normal skin.
  • Use upward or circular motions while exfoliating.

Read More: Skin Pigmentation

Overview:

Now that you have all the information about how to exfoliate your skin at home, start implementing it for a healthy and glowing surface. Give your skin the pampering it needs and see the difference; it just takes a few minutes. We hope your skincare routine will have this step and don’t forget to share your experience with us!

Suvarna

About Suvarna

Suvarna is a freelance content writer with over 8 years of professional writing experience. She specialized in developing research-based content on Beauty, Skin, and Hair Care. Suvarna believes that beauty is one of the key factors for every personality. She always strives to bring more authenticity and credibility to her articles.
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