As we age, skin cell turn over i.e. shedding is slower, that leads to accumulation of dead keratin on the surface of our skin which will cause dull complexion, rough skin texture and dryness. This will aggaravate wrinkling and pigmentary problem as well.Furthermore, the build-up of dead skin cells can result in clogged pores, leading to blemishes and acne.
Proper exfoliation removes the dead skin cells clogging the skin andreveals fresh new cells below. This also opens up the channels for skincareproducts to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective. In short, a regular exfoliating routine will leave your skin looking fresh and healthy.
There are two types of home use exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.
In mechanical exfoliation, a tool like a brush or face scrub physically removes the dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliators use ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid or mandelic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) to dissolve the bonds between the old dead skin cells and fresh ones.
Though the friction of a gritty scrub can be satisfying, a chemical exfoliant which involves no scrubbing or rough treatment is more potent and less distressing to the skin. Be careful with an exfoliating scrub; choose one with smooth, round granules rather than jagged, rough particles to avoid injuring your skin. Be gentle with the scrub—a light touch is all you need to slough off the dead skin cells. Any more than that and you’re likely to irritate your skin.
Microbeads, or tiny ball-shaped particles of plastic, are a common ingredient in exfoliating products as they are cheap, making their use appealing to manufacturers and popular with consumers. However, they pose a risk to marine life because they are small enough to wash down drains and can eventually end up interfering with marine life and ultimately entering the food chain. We should do our part in protecting the environment while in the quest of finding beauty.
A word of caution:
Sometimes you should avoid an exfoliation when you have any of the following conditions: any kind of cut or open wound on your face, if you have an infection on your face like a cold sore (it will spread!), or if you’re sunburned. Loads of moisturizer is more of what your skin needs during those times.
Introducing to you our very own Skincode Essentials Extra Gentle Skin Resurfacing Cream (for all skin types) . Use it twice a week to get the most out of this gentle yet effective exfoliation routine. The cream contains ingredients that gently remove dead skin cells, dirt and sebum while at the same time moisturizing the skin.
A great choice of chemical exfoliator – contains CM-Glucan, Lactic acid ester, Apple, Cucumber & Ginseng extract, Vitamin A.
Written by Dr Tan WW
