What is an exfoliator?
Exfoliator is a cream, powder, lotion or peel that either contains granolas or enzymes that remove dead skin cells.
What is an Exfoliator supposed to do?
Exfoliator is designed to remove dead skin cells that build upon the surface of the skin. By removing the dead skin it will unclog pores and make any products that are applied to the skin after exfoliating penetrate deeper, and therefore work more effectively.
How should I apply exfoliator?
Normally a pea-sized amount is used and has to be rubbed into the skin and then washed off with water. However, if it is an exfoliating peel it should be rubbed into the skin and left for the recommended time so the active ingredients can work to eat away at the dead skin cells and then either wiped away with a damp face cloth or washed off with water.
How often should I exfoliate?
No more than 3 times a week. Exfoliating stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil so exfoliating too often can lead to an oily skin.
What exfoliator do I need for my skin type?
I have always been a big fan of Enzyme Exfoliators as they and gentle, work deeper into the epidermis and can add hydration, unlike scrubs.
Normal/combination skin
Normal to combo skin may be exfoliated 3 times a week using a scrub product. Even though your skin might be able to handle a harsh scrub, I would recommend using a lighter scrub as you want to avoid irritating the skin and causing micro-tears in the skin.
Oily skin
Using a low PH exfoliator isn’t too harsh, so an enzyme peel or exfoliation containing AHA’S & BHA’S is ideal. Oily skin can be exfoliated 2-3 times a week but less if you are using a product containing exfoliating acid’s.
Dry skin
Using an enzyme peel ,as using a scrub, can dry out the skin even further which we don’t want. Using a peel 2 times a week is great, but if the skin is sensitive you may need to change the enzymes for an exfoliator designed for sensitive skin.
Do I need to exfoliate?
Yes. It is very important to exfoliate otherwise the dead skin cell’s can attract bacteria and then form spots.
