Follow with moisturizer. Apply moisturizer immediately after exfoliating to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Apply a Hydrating Lotion or Body Oil: After scrubbing, apply a nourishing lotion or body oil to lock in moisture. The Huk body lotion is an excellent choice as it complements the body scrub, hydrating the skin and keeping it soft. Frequency: Use the body scrub 1-2 times per week.
If you've gone in with a physical scrub, a hydrating, soothing moisturizer is your best bet. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. For those who've ventured into the realm of chemical exfoliants, pick a moisturizer that's going to soothe and repair.
After your exfoliant, apply the rest of your skin care products in order of their texture, going from the thinnest, most fluid consistencies up to the thicker lotions and cream. For example, layer on liquid products (like some boosters) followed by thicker products, including serums and/or treatments, and moisturizers.
2. Exfoliate. Exfoliation should only be done 2-3 times per week depending on your skin and which product you are using. Exfoliating further prepares your skin to receive the full benefits of aloe vera gel since it removes surface dead skin cells and helps unclog pores.
Don't: Forget to Wear Sunscreen and Moisturize
After exfoliating, it's important to remember to moisturize your skin that night and wear sunscreen the next day.
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.
Use Soothing Moisturizers
If you don't have acne-prone skin, Finney recommends using a thicker ointment like Aquaphor to help soothe and moisturize skin, especially in areas that are red or irritated. "Use a gentle cleanser (or just rinse with water!), use a thick moisturizing cream and sunscreen," suggests Finney.
Hyaluronic Acid and AHAs/BHAs: Hyaluronic acid can nourish, soften, and rehydrate the skin after undergoing chemical exfoliation.
Stick to physical exfoliants like sugar, salt, and coffee grinds. Try to exfoliate your body at least once every 10 days, but we recommend one to two times a week if you have sensitive skin, and three to four if your chest and back are on the oily side.
It depends on the product you're using and the ingredients. Generally, chemical exfoliants are applied to dry skin and then washed off with warm or cold water. If you're using a physical exfoliant on your body in the shower, exfoliating wet skin is much easier.
While one exfoliation won't completely strip your skin of all of its oil, it will remove most of it, leaving the surface dry. Therefore, exfoliating without applying a good moisturizer is guaranteed to leave the face drier than it was before exfoliation.
After scrubbing, give your face a good rinse with lukewarm water; skip the hot water to prevent extra dryness. Gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel, then dive into your usual skincare routine for that refreshed, post-scrub glow.
The “black stuff” when you rub your skin is nothing but dead cells, dirt and surface grime. It comes off due to friction caused by rubbing your skin.
Moisturizing can also enhance the effects of exfoliation by promoting optimal skin hydration, in turn leading to smoother, more radiant skin. As new cells are dependent on water for their development, proper hydration ensures that they have the necessary environment to thrive, improving overall skin texture and tone.
We recommend products containing ultra-hydrating oils and humectants. Glycerin is a great choice, because it keeps moisture locked deep in the lower layers of skin (British Journal of Dermatology). Jojoba oil delivers deeply-penetrating moisture while can mimicking skin's natural oils.
Spend 10 minutes soaking the area of your skin that has toughened in warm water. This will make it easier to scrub off dead skin cells by dissolving them. Then, exfoliate your skin to eliminate the dead skin cells with a light body scrub that is suitable for your skin type.
“Claims such as its ability to increase the rate and quality of hair growth have not been substantiated,” Dr. Glodny says. While aloe vera alone may not magically grow your hair, healthy scalps and stronger strands can prevent hair loss and potentially promote hair growth.