A Beginner’s Guide to Skin Exfoliation
Skin exfoliation has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is now a staple in most skincare routines. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin, known as the epidermis (American Academy of Dermatology, n.d.). When used incorrectly, exfoliation can be damaging, making it important to understand when exfoliation is beneficial and what kind of exfoliant to use.
Deciding whether to use exfoliant (and determining what exfoliant will work best for you) is based on your skin type. There are five skin types identified by the American Academy of Dermatology, listed below to help you find your type.
Sensitive skin - prone to irritation, may sting or burn after using harsh products
Normal skin - clear, not sensitive to product use
Dry skin - rough, itchy, or flaky skin
Oily skin - feels or looks greasy, typically has a shine
Combination skin - combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others. It’s often oily on the “T-zone”: across the forehead and down the nose and chin
Exfoliating
There are two types of skin exfoliants: chemical and physical. As the name suggests, chemical exfoliants use chemicals (commonly alpha and beta hydroxy acids) to gently dissolve skin cells, while physical exfoliants physically scrub a way dead skin cells using a brush or textured scrub (American Academy of Dermatology, n.d.). Which one is best for you is influenced by your skin type.
Physical exfoliation can be irritating, and is better suited for those with oily or normal skin types. If you choose to use physical exfoliants, make sure that you are choosing a gentle exfoliate - NOT something like St. Ives, which uses relatively large abrasive rounds to “exfoliate” the skin. As a general rule, if you’re using a scrub to exfoliate, the scrub should dissolve as you use it (like a sugar scrub, for instance). Scrubs that don’t dissolve are morel likely to damage the skin barrier rather than simply removing the dead skin cells. Folks with sensitive, dry, or combination skin will likely experience less irritation using a mild chemical exfoliant (American Academy of Dermatology, n.d.).
Whichever you choose, start by only using it once a week, and increase to no more than twice per week to avoid damaging the skin’s moisture barrier. Always follow it with a moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and hydrated (American Academy of Dermatology, n.d.). As always, consult with a dermatologist if you need support identifying your skin type and developing a skincare routine tailored to you.
Reference
American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.-a). How to safely exfoliate at home. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home