Aug 24 2009
Exfoliation: The Key to Healthy Skin
The average woman has 30 layers of dead skin cells on her face.
Now, before you panic, it’s important to realize that some of those layers are good to have. Not all, but some. Basically, they provide a cushion between the harsh realities of the world (oh, free radicals) and the new, as-yet-undeveloped skin cells underneath. It’s all part of our skin’s natural turnover process, cells being born and rising up through the dermis where they die and flatten to form the epidermis. I’ll explain…
Let’s assume for a minute that you were just born. Your skin turns over every seven days. I’ll repeat - every seven days you have brand new skin cells sitting atop your body and face. The dead skin cells shed, and the newly dead ones take their places. And all your mother has to do is bathe you to help the process.
But then things start to slow down. You age and so does your skin. Soon, you’re a teenager, a young adult, a working professional… and your skin starts turning over every 20 days? 30 days? Sometimes longer. The layers on the top are more stubborn, more firm. The cells underneath get trapped. The new ones can’t get out. Your system needs a little boost, a kick in the pants.
You need an exfoliant.
For those unfamiliar with the term, EXFOLIATION is the process of removing dead skin, either by mechanical or chemical means. Translation - you can scrub it off or pay someone else to melt it off. But it doesn’t have to be that harsh, I promise! Using a well-balanced exfoliator (one that will get the job done without overdrying) in the correct way is perfectly safe and healthy. Remember that over-exfoliating can expose those underdeveloped skin cells, leaving your face red and irritated… so follow the directions and don’t overdo it!
This post is meant to be an exfoliating primer, so look for more posts in future on how exfoliation can improve skin tone and clarity, reverse aging, clear pores and fight acne, and erase excess melanin deposits. Just this simple process has so many benefits, it truly is the key to having healthy skin.
For the purposes of this post, we’ll stick to mechanical exfoliators (i.e. scrubs) and forego chemical peels and facials for another day. Below, I’ve listed some of my very favorite exfoliators. I encourage you to try them and report back to me.
Clinique’s 7-Day Scrub Cream — This is a cream-based scrub that’s soothing and exfoliating all at once. The unique formula (hypoallergenic and fragrance-free) is perfect for all skin types, oily to dry, and just the thing to keep from over-stripping your skin. Start off by using this every other day and when your skin seems happy and starts glowing, cut back your use to once or twice a week.
Origins’ Modern Friction — Need a serious overhaul? This is a great once-a-week exfoliator, an acceptable substitute for a micro-dermabrasion treatment. It’s a natural, acid-free way (stay clear of alphahydroxy if you don’t like the sound of that) to remove up to five layers of dead skin at a time. Some serious stuff. It uses fruit enzymes to break apart the glue between cells, so you’ll enjoy the refreshing scents of citrus as you scrub. Use as directed. And don’t be alarmed if you can suddenly see more blackheads after your first use. That’s normal… and the scrub will help uproot those suckers the next time around!
The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Cleansing Face Polish — Want a scrub that does a little something extra? This scrub takes away those dead skin cells and conditions the skin underneath with antioxidant vitamin C. It’s gentle and natural, using jojoba beads to get the job done, but leaves that tingly citrus feeling behind. Best to use this once or twice a week. You should notice a nice, healthy glow to your skin after a few uses… that’s the vitamin C brightening your skin tone. Not bad, huh?
SOME HELPFUL TIPS
** If you have oily skin, you need to exfoliate more. Extra dead skin cells can get caught in your pores, gather bacteria, and actually cause a breakout. So keep it up and keep your skin clear!
**Never EVER use a body or foot scrub on your face! When using products, keep this rule in mind… Your face is much more sensitive than your body, so anything for your face can be used on your body. NOT vice versa!
**Daily scrubs are a bad idea. If you have to use it every day, it isn’t strong enough to actually accomplish something. Switch to a stronger exfoliating agent and use it twice a week.
**Masks and peels work better AFTER you exfoliate. So the next time you’re going to indulge, pull off that top layer of dead skin with a good scrub and your mask will actually be able to REACH into your pores and do its job.
