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.
Combine 1/2 cup ground oats with hot water to form a paste. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey. Massage the oatmeal mixture into your face for about three minutes; rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Alternatively, apply the oatmeal mixture to your face and leave it on for 10–15 minutes; rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
Just water. Water does a fine job of rinsing away dirt without stripping vital oils from your skin. Also, avoid those luxurious long, hot showers. Just a few minutes under the spray is enough to rinse away a day's accumulation of dirt, and any longer might dry your skin.
How to make it: Blend 1/4 cup of oats until fine. Mix with 2 tablespoons of almond meal, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon of honey. This scrub is gentle enough for face and body. Leave on for three minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
AHAs. If you have sensitive skin, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brian Hibler recommends reaching for alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs, for gentle chemical exfoliation. “Start with an AHA such as glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid at a low concentration, once a week,” he says.
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.
Technique matters when it comes to exfoliation, and the techniques are different for body scrubs compared to dry brushing. You want to use a body scrub while your skin is wet. It's ideal to do it while you're in the shower and after you've been in the shower for a few minutes to loosen up your dead skin cells.
Should you exfoliate before or after shower? Same rules apply here as they do for washing your face. It's way better to exfoliate after you've finished using haircare or other shower products and when you can use cool water.
A complete cycle of cell turnover takes about 28 days in younger people. As you age, the turnover process slows, and it takes about 45 days to complete. Exfoliation is any process that takes off the top layers of skin cells before they come off naturally.
Honey is loaded with beneficial nutrients that nourish and protect all skin types. It also contains natural enzymes that have a gentle exfoliating effect. Not only is honey much more gentle for the face than a mechanical exfoliant, but it also hydrates the skin at the same time.
Take an ordinary washcloth and moisten with warm water, then use this to rub the skin gently in small circles. Cleansing the face before exfoliating may also be beneficial as this opens up the skin's pores. A natural sponge can work well to get rid of dead skin cells on the face.
Poor exfoliation is a leading cause of blackheads and whiteheads, some of the most common signs of acne. You can also develop “undergrowth” without regular exfoliation. This is comprised of not only dead skin cells but also trapped dirt and oil, which can lead to ingrown hairs.
Regular exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to keep older skin looking youthful and bright. As we age, our skin's natural exfoliation process slows down and causes a buildup of dead, dull skin. Exfoliating helps speed up cellular turnover, softening fine lines and wrinkles and diminishing hyperpigmentation.
DON'T exfoliate if it causes irritation
If your skin feels sensitive, stings, becomes red or flakey after exfoliating, stop immediately! Give your skin a break for a week or so, then attempt exfoliating again, but make sure you do your research to ensure you're using the right products and method for your skin type.
The main difference between scrub and exfoliator is that scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles while an exfoliator is a mechanical or chemical agent you apply to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.
The intense Korean cleansing process (called "seshin") entails soaking the body in hot water, then rubbing it with a "Korean Italy towel" -- a colorful, thin loofah with a sandpaper-like texture -- to rid the body of all the gunk, dirt and layers of dead skin that accumulate naturally.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a mild abrasive, which makes it an excellent exfoliator for your skin. Baking soda can help remove oils when used in a facial wash and can be a beneficial part of your overall skin care routine.
Mash 1/4 cup of cubed fresh pineapple and 1/4 cup of cubed fresh papaya together, then add two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of sweet almond oil, and another tablespoon of honey. Apply to your face skin and leave it for a few minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.