Looking to exfoliate without irritating your skin? I’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to keep your skin smooth and healthy.
Exfoliating is a really simple and effective way to give your entire body a little extra life, but without the proper tools or products – you can damage your skin really quickly. I’ve tried it all and know exactly what it takes to exfoliate correctly… So, let’s talk about it!
Understanding Exfoliation – What Is It?
Exfoliation is like giving your skin a fresh start. By removing dead skin cells, your skin looks brighter and feels smoother. Depending on the area, you can also reduce dandruff, clogged pores, and get rid of build-up on the body.
There are two main types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation uses tools or scrubs to manually remove dead skin cells. This is a really effective practice, but should be done with caution because too much can irritate or damage your skin. On the other hand, chemical exfoliation uses acids or enzymes to dissolve dead skin and reveal a fresh new layer. You have to be weary of how harsh each exfoliant is to ensure you are not over-treating your skin.
Both methods have their benefits, but the key is to learn how to exfoliate gently to avoid irritation. You cannot go wrong either way, just ensure you are being overly cautious until you fully determine your skin’s comfortability limitations.
Tips for Gentle Exfoliation
Before diving into specific areas, let’s cover some general tips for gentle exfoliation. Here are the top recommendations almost all exfoliation directions recommend:
- Find the right exfoliant for your skin type. Chemical exfoliants specifically come in harsher percentages and can be too much for gentle skin areas
- Patch test your products first. See how your body reacts in a small area before moving on to a large section.
- Start slow. Begin by exfoliating once a week and gradually increase depending on your skin’s tolerance level
- Don’t forget the post-exfoliation routine. Follow up your exfoliation routine with the perfect everything shower. From there, always moisturize and apply sunscreen for days after (especially on the face) to protect your new skin layer.
How To Exfoliate Your Scalp
Why Exfoliate the Scalp?
Exfoliating your scalp can help remove product buildup, dandruff, and excess oil. It also promotes healthy hair growth by unclogging hair follicles. Regular scalp exfoliation can improve blood circulation, leading to stronger and shinier hair. Additionally, it can help balance the scalp’s natural oils, reducing itchiness and flakiness.
Choosing the Right Products
For physical exfoliation, you can use scalp scrubs or brushes. Look for scrubs with fine, gentle particles and brushes with soft bristles. For chemical exfoliation, products containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid work well to dissolve dead skin cells and excess oil.
Sensitive Scalp Tip: If you have a sensitive scalp, use products that are specifically formulated to be gentle. Exfoliate once a week or every other week to avoid irritation.
How To Exfoliate Your Scalp: Step-by-Step Guide
- Pre-treatment: Before you start, detangle your hair and section it to make the process easier.
- Application: Apply a scalp scrub or chemical exfoliant (apple cider vinegar washes are AMAZING) to your scalp. If using a scrub, gently massage it in circular motions with your fingers or a brush.
- Post-treatment: Rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all the product, then follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
How To Exfoliate Your Body
Why Exfoliate the Body?
Exfoliating your body helps to prevent ingrown hairs, smooth rough patches, and improve overall skin texture. Regular body exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing for better absorption of moisturizers and other skincare products. This process can also promote more even skin tone and enhance circulation, giving your skin a healthier and more vibrant appearance.
Choosing the Right Products
For physical exfoliation, body scrubs, exfoliating gloves, and brushes are popular choices. For chemical exfoliation, look for body lotions or treatments with glycolic or lactic acid. Focus primarily on the arms, legs, knees, and elbows, but be more careful with your chest as this skin layer is thinner and more sensitive.
How To Exfoliate Body: Step-by-Step Guide
- Shower: Start with a warm shower to soften your skin and open your pores.
- Apply the exfoliant: Use a body scrub or an exfoliating glove to apply the exfoliant in circular motions. If using a chemical exfoliant, apply it as directed on the product label.
- Rinse and moisturize: Rinse thoroughly to remove all the product. Apply a rich moisturizer to hydrate your skin.
How To Exfoliate Your Face
Why Exfoliate the Face?
Facial exfoliation helps to improve skin texture, unclog pores, and enhance the absorption of your skincare products. By removing the layer of dead skin cells, exfoliation reveals fresher, smoother skin underneath. This process can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone, leaving your face looking more radiant and healthy.
Choosing the Right Products
For physical exfoliation, opt for gentle scrubs or facial brushes with soft bristles. For chemical exfoliation, products with AHAs (like lactic or glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) are effective. Enzyme-based exfoliants are also a solid option for a gentle approach that still gives great results.
Face Exfoliation Tip: DO NOT USE AN ABRASIVE FACE SCRUB EVER. Trust me – just don’t do it.
Tips for Different Skin Types
- Dry/Sensitive Skin: Use mild exfoliants like enzyme-based products or lactic acid. Limit exfoliation to once a week.
- Oily/Combination Skin: You can handle stronger exfoliants like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Exfoliate up to three times a week.
- Normal Skin: Balance between mild and moderate exfoliants, exfoliating two to three times a week.
How To Exfoliate Your Face: Step-by-Step Guide
- Cleanse: Start by cleansing your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser.
- Apply the exfoliant: If you’re using a scrub, apply it and gently massage in circular motions. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, apply it according to the product instructions, usually after cleansing and before moisturizing.
- Rinse and follow up: Rinse off physical exfoliants with lukewarm water. Follow up with a toner, serum, and moisturizer to hydrate and protect your skin. Sunscreen is incredibly important as well, so don’t forget it.
How To Exfoliate: Wrap Up
Regardless of if you’re wanting to exfoliate your scalp, face, body (or everything in between) – this weekly routine of self-care is an incredible way to watch your body glow. Even after one session, you’ll see and feel a difference.
Have you ever exfoliated before? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on HIGHSTRUNG, check out my recent posts: