Why Skin Exfoliation is Good for You
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Why Skin Exfoliation is Good for your Skin
Approximately every 30 days, your skin naturally sheds its old cells to make room for newer, fresher ones. However, these dead skin cells do not always shed completely, resulting in dry, flaky, and dull skin. Exfoliating can help prevent this by assisting your skin in revealing new, fresh, and brighter cells underneath.
What is Exfoliation and Why It’s Important
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface and can be done with a body mitt, brush, or chemical exfoliant. It is a necessary step in achieving great skin. Exfoliating can help your skin look better on different sides.
If you desire a radiant skin complexion, then regular exfoliation is a must. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation can make your skin seem brighter and improve the effectiveness of topical skin care products by increasing absorption.
Exfoliation on a regular basis can also help prevent clogged pores, which leads to fewer breakouts. Long-term exfoliation can boost collagen production. Collagen is essential for healthy-looking skin. This protein also increases skin elasticity, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and sagging.
What Is Physical Exfoliation?
Physical exfoliation involves a technique that calls for manual scrubbing using skin-exfoliating scrubs. When done correctly and with the right products, physical exfoliation can be very beneficial to the skin.
Physical exfoliation refers to the use of granules to manually remove dead skin cells and exfoliate the skin. This group includes face scrubs, exfoliating brushes, and gloves, as well as washcloths and other specialized beauty products. Physical exfoliants found in face scrub formulas include pearlstone and apricot seeds. These physical exfoliants work by physically sloughing away dead skin cells from the skin's surface.
These physical exfoliants function by physically removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Physical exfoliation exposes the new skin cells beneath the top layer of dead skin. It won't affect the skin's lower layers if done properly (i.e., without being overly aggressive), and it shouldn't hurt or irritate the skin at all.
The most significant advantage of physical exfoliation is its accessibility. It can be considered as DIY exfoliation or skin exfoliation at home. You only need a DIY scrub or a muslin washcloth to complete this task at home. It also provides immediate results.
Different Types of Physical Exfoliation
Exfoliators are classified as either physical or chemical. The formulation of physical exfoliators includes a scrub or bead that works to physically remove dead skin cells by hand washing or scrubbing them off. While chemical exfoliators use acids like alpha-hydroxy, beta-hydroxy, and polyhydroxy acids in their formulation to break down dead skin cells.
A physical exfoliant is any exfoliating product or method that requires manual scrubbing or rubbing falls. You might already be using a physical exfoliant, such as cleansing scrubs, body brushes, or loofahs. Nevertheless, here are some types of physical exfoliation that you might never heard of;
- Natural Sponges (such as our Konjac Sponge)
- DIY Face Scrubs (Coffee Scrubs, Oatmeal, Sugar)
- Cleansing Scrubs and Loofahs
- Exfoliating Mitts
- Dry Brushes
- Pumice Stones
- Micro-needling or Micro derma rollers
How to Choose Which is Right for You?
There are so many different exfoliation methods to choose from these days, making determining which is best for you even more difficult. In order to reduce the risk of sensitivity and irritation and maximize the radiance of your skin, it's critical that you select the appropriate skin exfoliation treatment for your skin type. Choosing the best exfoliating technique for your skin type will reduce irritation and help you achieve the best results.
- For sensitive skin
It is highly recommended to use gentle scrubs and chemical exfoliants to prevent skin irritation. If you notice that new products irritate or sting your skin, BHAs can help calm any redness associated with sensitive skin. Because of their larger molecule size, PHAs are also preferred for sensitive skin types, and research suggests that they may even be suitable for people suffering from eczema and rosacea.
- For acne-prone skin
Chemical exfoliants such as BHAs are suitable for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is excellent for clearing out pores and reducing breakout-causing sebum. Harsh physical scrubs are not recommended as they can irritate and worsen your acne.
- For dry skin
Dry skin is frequently rough and flaky. Gentle brushes and natural sponges like Konjac sponge are great for dry flaky skin. AHAs, such as glycolic acid, can also help break down the surface layer of your skin, allowing the rest of your skincare to penetrate deeper and help your skin retain moisture.
- For oily skin
Oily skin has a shiny appearance and feels greasy. People with oily skin can often benefit from stronger chemical and physical exfoliators, such as motorized brushes. Store-bought and homemade scrubs may also be viable options.
- For mature skin
Gentle and regular exfoliation is a must. Matured skin is less sensitive than dry skin types, therefore, cleansing scrubs and loofahs are also suitable. But if you prefer using gentle products, you can never go wrong with Konjac sponges. Chemical exfoliants like AHAs can also help target fine lines and wrinkles to leave skin glowing and radiant while also reducing the appearance of signs of aging.
Always remember to read the product's ingredient list before using it. The grains in your physical exfoliants should not be too large or irritating, though, as this can harm your skin and result in transepidermal water loss.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Exfoliating too often can lead to excess oil, acne, or dry, red, irritated skin. Overexfoliation is worse than not exfoliating at all.
Because using physical exfoliators too frequently can cause micro-tears on the skin, it is best to limit your use to 1-2 times (3 maximum) per week. However, it all comes down to listening to your skin's needs, and if you notice any irritation or sensitivity, take a break or switch to a more gentle formula.
Physical Exfoliation and Why Konjac Sponge is Great for It (How to Exfoliate the Skin Naturally)
You might be wondering how to exfoliate face without scrubs. Let’s face it, most skin exfoliation products are aggressive and have the potential to irritate your skin. Konjac sponge is naturally derived from konjac plants, that can be used to gently exfoliate and cleanse without any of the rough scrubbings. Since it is 100% natural and gentle on the skin, you can never go wrong with this type of exfoliant. It is suitable and best for all skin types and for everyday use.
Gentleness is what most physical exfoliants lack. Konjac sponges can cleanse and exfoliate the skin without the abrasive effect that scrubs and dry brushes bring. With konjac sponges, you can achieve both deep and gentle exfoliation, without being harsh to your skin.
References
https://www.ameliorate.com/blog/physical-vs-chemical-exfoliation/
https://www.thecut.com/article/best-face-exfoliators.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating#chemical-exfoliation
https://www.eccotique.com/blogs/news/why-is-exfoliation-so-important-for-your-skin
https://www.ilovecosmetics.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-exfoliating-your-skin/
https://awomanshealth.com/skin-beauty/the-importance-of-exfoliation
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-skin-exfoliation
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327394#forms-of-exfoliants