Exfoliating is one of the most under rated skincare steps. Everyone needs some sort of exfoliating in their skincare routine but yours might be different than your besties based on your skin type!
As a makeup artist the #1 problem I hear about is foundation not setting right on client's skin. Having a great complexion with foundation starts with your skincare. This is bringing me back to my "Black Tile" days at Sephora, IYKYK.
Why should you exfoliate?
As we get older our cell turn over slows down which can cause our complexion to look dull and dry. Exfoliating the dead skin cells off the top layer of your skin will help brighten skin and also allow your skincare routine to penetrate deeper into your skin so you get the most out of your products.
There are different ways to exfoliate your skin, and some are better for you than others! You can choose a physical or a chemical exfoliant. Physical exfoliators can be a sugar scrub, a face wash with jojoba beads or even a washcloth. Anything that 'physically' removes skin cells. Chemical exfoliators use acids to remove skin cells, these are AHAs or BHAs.
I used to LOVE a physical exfoliant but after learning more about them I usually save my coffee scrubs and sugar treatments for the rest of my body and focus on chemical exfoliants on my face. Our skin on our face is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of our body. I have combination skin and deal with acne so physical exfoliants are usually too harsh for my skin. Physical exfoliants can cause scratches on your skin if they are too large or the pressure is too hard. If you lived through the St. Ives Walnut Scrub era you probably have switched to chemical exfoliants due to skin trauma.
It is recommended to exfoliate anywhere from 1-3 times a week but it really depends on what each individual face needs. If you are getting irritated, red skin try exfoliating less and possibly switch to a less intense product.
So, are physical exfoliants bad? No.
Here are some signs you can use a physical exfoliant:
You have combo skin.
You are oily.
Signs you should use a chemical exfoliant:
You have dry, sensitive skin.
Are acne prone
You have mature skin
I hope this inspires you to elevate your skin care routine <3