After exfoliating, make sure you thoroughly rinse away the product and any dead skin cells and then pat your skin dry with a clean towel. ”Apply a moisturizer or shea butter following your [exfoliating] and shower/soak to help your skin retain moisture and look radiant,” advises Burns.
Don't scrub, exfoliate
Not only does it improve skins health, gently removing built up dead skin cells helps for other products to penetrate better into skins surface. A leave-on exfoliant can make a big difference for any skin type and skin concern.
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
Apply your AHA or BHA exfoliant after the cleanser and toner steps in your routine. If it's a liquid, apply it with a cotton pad; if a lotion or gel, apply it with your fingers. Apply an occasional-use rinse-off exfoliant peel to cleansed skin, and rinse after several minutes.
Start by cleansing your complexion with a face wash, then fully dry skin using a towel. Apply the chemical exfoliant per the package instructions, avoiding the eye area; leave on for as long as directed. Remove the exfoliant or leave on skin according to the product instructions.
(Don't forget to finish with sunscreen during the day.) An occasional-use rinse-off BHA peel should be applied to cleansed skin and rinsed after several minutes. Pat skin dry and follow with the rest of your routine.
A leave-on BHA exfoliant works on the upper layers of the skin, lifting dead skin cells away from the layer of healthy, radiant skin hidden underneath. It's able to penetrate skin's oil to exfoliate the pore lining, a key feature of how BHA works to improve pore size and clogs.
There's no hard and fast rule to whether you should scrub or cleanse first. We recommend trying out both orders and then going with what suits your skin best. Either way as long as you are cleansing and exfoliating according to your skin type, you can achieve a deep clean for your most beautiful skin.
DON'T rinse off a chemical exfoliant
After exfoliating, don't wash it off right away - the active ingredients take time to absorb into your skin and work their magic! Leave your exfoliant on for about 15-30 minutes to ensure the ingredients dissolve and remove all dead skin cells.
Niacinamide should be used after your BHA exfoliant. From there, you can apply the rest of your products in order of thinnest to thickest texture.
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Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better. Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Michelle Henry gives us her top five reasons to exfoliate daily. Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better.
When it comes to morning versus night exfoliation, you're going to reap the best benefits from exfoliating in the morning time. This is due to the oils your skin produces overnight. You'll be able to more smoothly remove all impurities, dead skin, and oils, when you exfoliate in the morning, rather than at night.
You can make small, circular motions using your finger to apply a scrub or use your exfoliating tool of choice. If you use a brush, make short, light strokes. Exfoliate for about 30 seconds and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. Avoid exfoliating if your skin has cuts, open wounds, or is sunburned.
You can test this yourself with a well formulated exfoliant: at night, apply your AHA or BHA as usual after cleansing and toning, and do a "split-test." Wait 20 minutes before applying your serum and/or moisturizer to one side, but the other side of your face, apply those next steps immediately.
Most experts advise that you exfoliate two to three times per week — as long as your skin can handle it. Chemical exfoliants tend to be fine to use more regularly. Physical methods, on the other hand, may be too abrasive to use multiple times a week.
Use your scrubbing tool to gently move along your bikini line in a small circular motion to remove dead skin cells that may be clogging up the pores. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the area. Allow the exfoliate to sit on your skin for up to 3 minutes. Rinse the area well.
According to dermatologists, you should exfoliate first, then wash your hair, and then wash your body. This will ensure that each shower product you use has time to work. If you have concerns about your skin, you should follow this order as closely as you can. This will help prevent acne, razor burn, or dry hair.
Your skin needs moisture, especially after you exfoliate. Using a super-hydrating facial moisturizer after you exfoliate helps replenish any moisture loss from exfoliating. Apply sunscreen.
If an area feels dry and/or rough, it might be time to exfoliate. Important: if this same patch of skin is also irritated, red or itchy, that is a sure sign not to exfoliate.
Cleaning the face before exfoliating allows you to start with a fresh slate. Exfoliation dives into the pores, more so than a mild cleanser. It's important to remove your makeup and clean your face on a daily basis. It's not always necessary to exfoliate with the same frequency.
"Do not overuse an alpha-hydroxy-acid product," confirms Bolder. “Once every other day is plenty, unless you are on a programme with an expert that says otherwise.” However, it is often safe to use BHA daily.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid exfoliates dead skin cells by dissolving the cellular glue that binds cells together. By digesting the glue that holds dead skin cells together, these dehydrated cells that dull your complexion and clog your pores can easily be sloughed away.
Acids - The most common acids that can cause skin purging are AHA's and BHA's, which include salicylic acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid.
By removing the dead skin cells, exfoliation can improve the skin's health and texture. A person should cleanse the face every day and carefully exfoliate every few days. Exfoliating every day can irritate or harm the skin.