How To Exfoliate Your Face, Based on Skin Type

Regularly exfoliating your face can promote softer, more fluid and cooler skin by eliminating dead skin cells and improving the texture and appearance of your skin. However, when it is not done correctly, exfoliation can cause redness, scarage and irritation. The key is to find the right balance for your skin type and its needs.

When you exfoliate your skin, you eliminate the upper layer of dead skin cells. These dead skin cells can make your skin dry and dull. Eliminate them can help your skin look brighter and feel more fluid.

Here are some general instructions on how to exfoliate the skin, but plan to speak to a dermatologist or a beautician for more specific guidelines:

1. Choose your exfoliation method according to your skin type (see below).
2. Consider the products you already use, such as retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Exfoliation when using these products could make exfoliation painful or uncomfortable.
3. Be soft on your skin regardless of the method you use. Avoid exfoliating if you have open cuts or injuries or if your skin is burned by the sun.
4. Apply the scrub or the chemical exfoliant using small circular movements for about 30 seconds. If you use a brush or sponge (mechanical exfoliant), use short and light features.
5. Rinse with hot water (not hot) and gently tap your dry skin.
6. Apply a moisturizer designed for your skin type immediately after exfoliation.
7. Follow an exfoliation calendar that completes your skin type.
8. Avoid exfoliating too often and reduce the frequency to which you exfoliate if your face is irritated or too dry. You can also try a softer method.

When choosing the exfoliation method to be used – mechanical or chemical – consider your skin type as well as the ingredients you intend to use. This will influence your results and help not damage your skin.

Exfoliation is not for everyone and can damage sensitive skin types. Start with a softer method if you are new to exfoliate your skin.

Mechanical exfoliation vs chemical

There are two main types of exfoliation:

• Mechanical exfoliation: This type is to use an exfoliating scrub or a tool, such as a brush or sponge, to physically eliminate dead cells from the skin from the skin of the skin.
• Chemical exfoliation: This type involves using care products that contain enzymes or acids that dissolve dead skin cells.

Exfoliating ingredients

Chemical exfoliants often contain one of the two types of ingredients. These include beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) such as salicylic acid and alpha-hydroxy (AHA) acids such as lactic acid. Sometimes fruit enzymes are used to create a softer exfoliant.

Considerations by skin type

Not all types of exfoliation are compatible with each skin type. Before deciding on an exfoliation method, consider your skin type and your care needs. Here is what you need to know about each skin type and what type of exfoliation works best:

• Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin reacts easily to products and perfumes, and exfoliation can be bitten or burn. Remember to jump exfoliation or choose an extremely soft exfoliant specially designed for sensitive skin.
• Dry skin: If your skin is dry, it can be rough, scaly or itching. Choose an exfoliant that has an AHA, such as lactic acid, or other moisturizing properties to soothe your skin while exfoliating.
• Normal skin: With this type of skin, you have more flexibility in the products you choose. But it is always important to go slowly and see how your skin reacts.
• Combined skin: People with combined skin will have a mixture of dry, normal and oily areas. Look for suitable exfoliants to approach your skin type.
• Oily skin: The oily skin may seem shiny or greasy and can be subject to eruptions. Choose an exfoliant with BHA, like salicylic acid, to help eliminate excess oil. If you have eruptions, you may want to avoid exfoliation, especially if you already use drugs that can cause coat.

Exfoliating your skin removes dead cells from the surface skin, exposing new skin. This can cause tingling, redness or irritation afterwards, especially if you do not take measures to hydrate and protect your skin.

Hydrate after

An important step in the management of your skin after exfoliation is moisturizing and hydrates your skin. Any type of exfoliation can weaken the protective barrier of your skin, so you must strengthen this barrier with an appropriate moisturizer. You can also drink more water to make sure you hydrate your skin from the inside as well.

Use a sunscreen

Some exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and retinoids, can make your skin more sensitive to light. You should avoid being in the sun after exfoliating and carrying a wide spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50. You can also wear sunglasses and a hat to further protect your face.

Avoid intense exercise and saunas

When you exercise, you sit in a sauna or use a steam bath, the blood flow to your face increases. Avoid overheating your skin before or after exfoliation. This can cause itching, tingling and irritation. Remember to jump these activities the days you are exfoliating.

In general, exfoliation can be beneficial because it stimulates cell renewal, resulting in a smoother surface. However, it can also disturb your skin barrier, leaving your skin dry and irritated, especially if it is done incorrectly. To prevent this from happening, here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Overexfolia your skin. The repetition of exfoliation too frequently can be dried and damage your skin.
• Be too rough. Your skin can be easily damaged, especially if you are too rough. When you exfoliate, be soft with your skin and use ascending circles to avoid stretching and shooting on your skin.
• Exfoliating broken or damaged skin. Make sure you jump areas that have injuries or cuts, as well as areas burned by the sun or already irritated.
• Do not hydrate after. Exfolling your skin can be very dry. Make sure to use a moisturizer thereafter to hydrate and soothe your skin.
• Using hot water to rinse. Hot water can strip your skin and dry it more. Instead, use cool or lukewarm water to rinse your skin.
• Selection of bad products. Knowing your skin type will help you select appropriate exfoliation products for your skin. The same products that work for oily skin will not work as well for dry skin, so choose a product suitable for your skin type.

When to see a dermatologist

See a dermatologist if you develop:

• A rash
• Irritation
• Swelling
• Excessive redness that does not improve or does not worsen even after stopping exfoliating

Dermatologists are trained to diagnose and treat more than 3,000 skin, hair and nail conditions as well as cosmetic concerns. They can identify what happens to your skin and advise you on how to soothe it and restore it.

The exfoliant can help your skin to appear fresh, clean and smooth. However, when it is hurt, it can also leave it red, irritated and scaly. The results depend on how you exfoliate and whether or not you are exfoliated according to your skin type and your needs.

Exaggerated exfoliation or forget to hydrate later can disrupt your skin barrier and damage your skin. If you are new in exfoliation, use a soft exfoliation method and see how your skin reacts. Also talk to a dermatologist or a beautician to get advice on what is best for your skin care needs.