To exfoliate your face mechanically with a scrub, apply gently to the skin with a finger. Rub in small, circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water. For a chemical exfoliant that's a liquid, apply with a cotton pad or washcloth.
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.
Recommended For You
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.
It is a practice that removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) on your face and/or body. You can use a beauty tool such as a loofah or mitt plus a grainy scrub or soap.
Avoid abrasive physical exfoliators with harsh grains, sugar, or salt, as well as facial brushes as much as possible. “If you have breakouts, use a chemical exfoliator to fight oil and acne from a deeper level in the skin,” says Loving. “AHA and BHA acids (like salicylic, lactic, and glycolic) will be most effective.
Sugar is one of the best natural beauty ingredients to exfoliate your skin. Sugar scrubs are mild and help remove dead skin. They also help rejuvenate the skin by cleaning all the dirt from the skin pores.
Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar is formulated with our pH balanced formula and ¼ moisturizing cream to gently cleanse and nourish your skin for soft, smooth results. Suitable for regular use on hands, body and face, Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar is a welcome addition to any skin care routine.
Even better, exfoliating soaps can work with any skin type, so whether you have oily, dry, normal or combination skin, there's a product for you. If you prefer things "au naturel," some exfoliating soaps are made with natural ingredients like oatmeal, sea salt, brown sugar and peach pits.
Yes, using good ol' fashioned bar soap or body wash with gentle granules can mildly buff your skin, so why not cleanse and exfoliate at the same time? We like the Drunk Elephant Juju Exfoliating Bar. And, if you prefer a wash, try Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash.
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.
Lack of exfoliation leads to build up of dead skin cells, and could result into dry, dull, patchy, flaky skin, clogged pores, with uneven skin tone.
Your skin needs moisture, especially after you exfoliate. Using a super-hydrating facial moisturizer after you exfoliate helps replenish any moisture loss from exfoliating.
You can exfoliate wet skin, as many people do with a loofah or a scrub in the shower, but the friction level is different when the skin cells are moist, Karen said. The dry method will help you to more effectively exfoliate, plus it's less messy, Gohara noted.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. After gently washing off your cleanser and while your skin is still damp, take a pea-sized amount of exfoliant, placing a small dot on your forehead, both cheeks, and chin. In gentle, circular motions spread the exfoliant across your face.
She recommends using a regular terrycloth washcloth to exfoliate, instead of a fancy exfoliation wand. After moistening the washcloth with plain water, she demonstrates using gentle, circular movements to exfoliate the model's skin. No cleanser is required unless you would like to clean your face at the same time.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.