Exfoliation is the key step of skincare which helps in getting a radiant, even textured and bright skin. It helps in enhancing the skin appearance and texture. But it is important to use a face scrub in moderation in order to preserve the skin barrier. You need to follow a proper guided use of face scrub in order to protect your skin from irritation, redness and dryness.
Your skin sheds dead skin cells naturally but when this process stops dead skin cells get accumulated on the face and they mix with oil and dirt they clog the pores of the skin which leads to acne breakouts as well. Using a face scrub helps in shedding this buildup from the skin and delivers a smooth skin texture. It works well for your skin if you use it correctly.
Over-exfoliation can strip the skin’s natural oils and damage the moisture barrier of the skin. This is why you don’t need to over-exfoliate your skin to get a healthy and clear skin. You just need to find the right exfoliating scrub suitable to your skin type and use it in a proper manner with consistency.
Why does your skin need exfoliation?
Your skin renews with time and it sheds the dead skin cells from the skin with time to time. Many factors like oil buildup, sun damage, dirt deposition can block this process. When dead skin cells do not shed from the skin and get accumulated on the face with other impurities they can make the skin appear dull and also lead to clogged pores on the face.
Exfoliation using a face scrub helps in breaking this buildup from the surface and helps in shedding the dead skin cells easily from the surface of the skin. It works by lifting up the impurities from the skin and helps in revealing the new skin cells and accelerates the cell turnover. It helps in improving the texture of the skin as it clears the buildup and smoothens the skin. It also makes the skin look brightened and radiant.
Understanding physical and chemical exfoliation
You need to choose the best method of exfoliation among physical and chemical exfoliation based on your skin type requirements as both of these methods work differently on the skin.
Physical exfoliants need to be manually scrubbed on the face to lift the dead skin cells from the face. It uses exfoliating agents which work by scrubbing into the face and lift the impurities effectively. Harsh exfoliating agents can strip the skin and cause micro-tears on the face as well.
While chemical exfoliants involve mild acids like Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids which work chemically to dissolve the cellular bonds of the dead skin cells. AHAs work on the surface of skin while BHAs help in lifting the buildup deep from the pores of the skin.
Skin type considerations
- If you are dealing with sensitive skin which gets triggered easily and has an already damaged barrier which reacts to harsh scrubbing badly resulting in skin redness, overdryness, irritation and inflammation they don’t need to use traditional scrubs with large exfoliators. They can always look for mild chemical exfoliants which have low risk of skin irritation.
- If you have excess oily and acne prone skin which gets excess oily from time to time and has clogged pores. A physical scrub would help in surface cleansing of oil but not for deep cleansing of oil and do not clear out the pores properly so they need to use chemical exfoliants like BHAs which help in deep pore cleansing.
- If your skin looks dull use physical exfoliants for rapid skin brightening and if you have a pigmented skin then opt for chemical exfoliants.
- For normal skin use any exfoliating scrub in moderation.
Right scrubbing technique for your face scrub
The method of scrubbing matters the most while scrubbing your skin as over scrubbing or harsh scrubbing can lead to skin damage and cause more problems. So you need to exfoliate your face properly.
- Wash your hands first
- Wash your face with water and a gentle cleanser
- Let the face remain wet
- Apply a pea sized amount of your face scrub on this damp skin
- Do gentle exfoliation while applying and massage it into the skin.
- Continue exfoliating for 30-60 seconds
- Rinse off using water
- Pat dry the face with soft towel
Post-scrubbing skincare
Exfoliation ideally helps in revealing new skin cells on the surface and you need to protect your skin post scrubbing.
- Best to apply a proper hydrating moisturizer or cream on the face after pat drying it to lock the moisture.
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen if you are using scrub in day time to protect the skin from UV damage.
Common mistakes to avoid while scrubbing
You need to be cautious about your skin and do not scrub in the wrong way. Avoid some errors.
- Do not use scrub daily
- Avoid harsh pressure while scrubbing
- Don’t use hot water while cleansing
- Don’t mix multiple active ingredients at once
- Don’t skip moisturizer
- Don’t use harsh abrasive exfoliating agents.
Summing up
Exfoliation is a great technique to help you clear out your skin and achieve a clear even skin. But you don’t need to over-use a scrub for getting better results, it harms you rosin more. You need to be gentle and choose the right options for your skin to scrub safely. Follow the right methods and avoid harsh scrubbing mistakes.
