With so many different types of skin care products and methods out there, it can be difficult to navigate what you should and shouldn’t be doing in your daily routine. Trends come and go but one skin care method has remained strong throughout because of its ability to improve skin's texture, appearance, help reduce breakouts and slow down aging. This method is called exfoliating.

Regular exfoliating can leave you with healthier skin inside and out. But what is exfoliating and how do you do it? We’ve put together our guide to exfoliating including what is exfoliating and how to exfoliate.

What Is Exfoliating?

Exfoliating is a skincare routine that removes dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, using an exfoliant which could be physical or chemical.

Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells every 30 days or so however sometimes not all the dead cells shed completely. When your skin doesn’t naturally get rid of all the dead skin cells, it can leave your skin dry, flaky and patchy. 

Exfoliating regularly can have a number of benefits on our skin. By incorporating exfoliating into your skincare routine, it can help to remove the layer of dead skin and help to brighten and smoothen your complexion. If you struggle with breakouts, regular exfoliating can prevent clogged pores which are a known cause of skin troubles.

Both sun exposure and ageing can cause the cell turnover to slow down, so exfoliating becomes particularly helpful to do as you get older to help the process keep on moving. Exfoliating can also increase the production of collagen which can help promote youthful glowing skin. Collagen also promotes skin elasticity which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

What Is Physical Exfoliation?

Any exfoliating product that requires manual scrubbing or rubbing is known as a physical exfoliant. This type of exfoliating usually involves a liquid or gel scrub or cleanser, that has microbeads, granules or sugar in the scrub, to smooth and refine the skin.

This is the most popular type of exfoliation due to its accessibility and ease of use. Many people already use physical exfoliants with or without realising, and they are a staple bath and body product. 

If not used carefully and correctly, physical exfoliants can cause redness and irritation to the skin. The goal is not for a rough stinging feeling but to use a physical exfoliant to gently support the body’s natural exfoliation. 

Common physical exfoliants include:

What Is Chemical Exfoliation?

Chemical exfoliation involves using products that contain certain acids and they can come in a variety of concentrations. The acids in chemical exfoliants remove the layer, as opposed to physical exfoliants that remove the layer manually. 

The three main types of chemical exfoliants are AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) and PHAs (Poly Hydroxy Acids). You can buy weak chemical exfoliants over the counter, or stronger ones can be applied by a dermatologist or treatment.

How To Exfoliate

How often should you exfoliate?

This depends on your skin type. If your skin is typically oily, your skin will have a higher tolerance for heavy-duty products like physical exfoliants. This means you can exfoliate generally as often as needed, up to about 5 times a week. 

For sensitive skin, try to limit exfoliating to once or twice a week and use more gentle products with lower active ingredients or a warm cloth to reduce a reaction.

For normal skin, it's unlikely that your skin will react badly to either physical or chemical exfoliants and can therefore use exfoliants up to three times a week for the best results.

When should you exfoliate?

When you should exfoliate depends on your daily skincare routine. Some people prefer to exfoliate in the morning to wake up and brighten their skin first thing in the morning. This is often the case if their skin is looking dull and they plan to add other skincare products or makeup and want to amplify their products. 

Others prefer to exfoliate in the evening or before bed to remove any leftover makeup or other debris. 

A lot of people find it most convenient to combine exfoliating with their daily shower routine. However, if you are using treatments or medical products for your skin, be sure to space out between treatments and read the leaflet to ensure you don’t have a reaction. 

How To Exfoliate Face

To exfoliate your face, the type of physical exfoliant you choose will depend on your skin type. For most physical exfoliants though, apply the exfoliant/scrub to your face using your fingers and gently rub into the skin in small circular motions. Once you have rubbed the product into your skin, if the product says to leave on for a certain amount of time (usually 30 seconds) let the product settle, before rinsing your face with warm water. When your face is clean, gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Follow up and apply a cream, lotion or serum as required for the ultimate soft finish.

If you are using a chemical exfoliant, these will most likely have been prescribed by a GP or pharmacist and will have specific instructions. Usually, chemical exfoliants should be applied on a cotton wool pad or clean washcloth.

How To Exfoliate Lips

Not exfoliating your lips regularly can lead to chapped, flaky and sore lips, especially in winter. Begin by cleaning your lips so there is no dirt or residue. Then, wet your lips slightly to allow your chosen lip scrub to glide over your lips. Apply your lip scrub with either a cotton bud, clean toothbrush or flannel and rub in delicate circular motions. The skin on your lip is particularly sensitive so it is important not to scrub too hard. Then, remove the scrub with warm water and a flannel. Once dry, you can then follow up with a lip balm to secure the moisture and leave you with soft lips. 

How To Exfoliate Legs and Arms

The quickest and easiest way to exfoliate over a large area like your legs or arms is to use a scrub on a glove or sponge in a warm shower. Not only will exfoliating these areas get rid of dead skin cells it can also help to stimulate circulation in your legs and arms. Many people choose to exfoliate these areas before applying other products like fake tan and moisturisers as it can enhance the absorption.  Scrubs and cleansers you can find in your local drug store or pharmacy work perfectly for this.

How To Exfoliate Feet

The bottoms of our feet tend to have some of the roughest skin on our body, which is why they might need a bit of extra attention when it comes to exfoliating. When it comes to exfoliating your feet, opt to do so in the shower and use a strong scrub and exfoliating tool such as a glove or brush. For extra TLC, use a specific foot repair cream after exfoliating for extra soft but sturdy skin on your feet.

Exfoliating can have a huge number of benefits for our skin, those listed were just an overview. Explore more body care products, with great deals online at Total Body Care.