Everything You Need To Know About Exfoliating

*This is a collaborative post on everything you need to know about exfoliating

Exfoliating should be an important part of everyone’s self-care routine.  Your skin is made up of multiple layers of cells. It’s designed this way to allow the skin to constantly replenish itself. The bottom layer is the freshest cells and the top layer dies, making room for the next layer to take over. Dead skin cells fall off your body and are so small you won’t even notice them. It’s estimated we lose 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells a day.

However, not all the dead skins cells will fall off by themselves. Sometimes they need a little help. Exfoliating means you use a slightly roughened surface and run it across your skin. This will remove the dead skin cells and allow the skin underneath to breathe better. 

Removing dead skin cells will help you to achieve a healthy glow. Of course, the right products, such as those in the Dermalogica range, will also help your skin stay hydrated and protected from harm. For example, the range offers protection against the sun’s rays which can damage your cells.

How Often To Exfoliate

This is a personal decision. Because most dead skin cells fall off you don’t need to exfoliate daily. It should be enough to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. However, you need to let your skin guide you. If it feels painful then you’re exfoliating too much. Equally, if you are not noticing an issue and your skin isn’t glowing then you may need to exfoliate more often. 

The best approach is to err on the side of caution with just 2 exfoliations per week. You can then test out what works for you by increasing the frequency slowly. 

Equally, if your skin is dry or sensitive you may want to reduce the number down to just once a week. 

Overdoing It Can be Harmful

It’s important to note that exfoliating too often or too harshly can damage the healthy layer of skin that is under the dead skin cells. If you damage this your body will be less able to protect against infections and even the damage that the sun’s rays can do. 

Don’t forget that exfoliating with a glove is just one way to exfoliate. Many face washes have an exfoliant in them and most facial masks contain exfoliating acids. If you use an array of products each week you may be overdoing your exfoliation without even realizing it. 

The safest approach is to adopt one technique and stick to it. For example, use an exfoliating glove while in the shower twice a week with a little of your chosen product. This will give you healthy glowing skin without damaging it. 

Remember, this is a personal matter. If your skin s sensitive or develops a rash after exfoliating switch products, exfoliate less, or even consider avoiding exfoliating. You want your skin to keep its natural oils, these are essential for skin health and your overall health. 

It’s also important to note that body exfoliators and face ones are different because the skin on your face is generally thinner and more sensitive. Use the right tool for the job.