Skin Exfoliation Guide: Revitalize Your Skin with Exfoliation

Skin exfoliation involves the removal of dead skin cells from the skin's surface, promoting a smoother texture, unclogging pores, and enhancing skin radiance.

Skin Exfoliation FAQ

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What is skin exfoliation & how does it work?

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool. Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 30 days or so. Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores.

What is physical exfoliation?

Physical exfoliation involves scrubbing the skin with ingredients like sugar and salt or with tools like a loofah or a brush to slough off dead surface skin cells. The results — smoother, brighter skin — are instant. A few physical exfoliants we like are the Kiehl’s Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub and the Lancôme Exfoliating Rose Sugar Scrub.

What is chemical exfoliation?

Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals in the form of cleansers, toners, serums or peels to remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants speed up cell turnover and unsticks the cellular glue (desmosomes) holding dead cells together in the outer layer of the skin. Leave-on hydroxy acids are the most common type of chemical exfoliant.

What are the benefits of exfoliation?

Proper exfoliation can provide the following skin care benefits: Fades age spots by removing dead skin cells that contain pigment. Unclogs pores, releasing built-up oils on your skin. Reduces pore size and the appearance of acne scars. Renders fine lines and wrinkles less visible. Should you exfoliate?

What are physical exfoliants?

Physical exfoliants refer to the usage of tools such as scrubs, washcloths, cleansers and even microneedles to essentially rub your face to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. It can also be done through home remedies such as using a simple sugar and honey scrub or by using a towel.

Why is exfoliation important?

Since exfoliation promotes cell renewal, it can increase how smooth and even your skin appears. It can help your products work more effectively. Dead skin cell buildup can hinder your skin's absorption of the skin-care products you so-diligently apply.