Does Your Skin Need to Be Exfoliated? Try this Simple Test

It’s a fact that regular exfoliation of the skin is an important part of a good anti-aging, blemish-reducing, skin care regimen.

To see if you have surface dry skin cells, try this simple test at home:

-Take a piece of clear tape and apply it to the forehead

-Rub it gently and remove

-Look at the tape, and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

What skin care problems does exfoliating help to improve?

Blemished Skin…

Exfoliation should be the main focus of a homecare program for those wanting to reduce blemishes. By removing surface dry skin cells with facial scrubs (like Mint Buffing Beads) and mild exfoliating cleansers (AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel) you’ll help to diminish the ability for acne-causing bacteria to thrive inside the pores, lessening blemish activity. Read why using acne products can cause more acne.

Post-breakout red/dark marks

A blemish usually lasts 5-7 days, but the red or dark mark from picking at the blemish, can linger for weeks— or even months. Post-breakout marks are caused from trauma to the skin cells caused by aggressively picking at blemishes. It is considered to be a scar but it will go away with time and increased exfoliation. By increasing your use of exfoliants (Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, enzymes and scrubs) this helps to stimulate new and healthy skin cell growth while removing the scarred damaged cells. Out with the old, in with the new! In addition, using a skin brightener like our Vitamin C & E Complex, can help expedite the healing process. Learn how to heal breakouts fast.

Clogged pores

Clogged pores aren’t infected blemishes, but rather blackheads, small whiteheads, and little clogged bumps on the skin, often on the forehead. The same rules apply as with blemished skins. The more you remove surface dry skin cells (usually caused by using harsh, drying products), the less oil will stay trapped and congested in the pores.

Is your skin both dry AND oily? Read why the problem is your products, not your skin.

Hyperpigmentation / Brown Spots

These are the brown spots that come from age, pregnancy, hormonal changes, and genetics. These spots tend to become more apparent and darker as the skin ages. Exfoliation is beneficial for breaking up the pigmented cells to allow them to fade. Combined with a skin-lightening agent, such as Vitamin C (found in our Vitamin C & E Complex) or Hydroquinone (available OTC or by prescription), exfoliation will help accelerate the fading process. Read more about how to get control of skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation.

Dry skin

Exfoliating is very important, especially in the winter. Often when the skin is dry, we tend to load up on heavier creams to compensate for the dryness. But dry skin means you have dry skin cell buildup. And the more you layer on the heavier creams, the more you are trying to re-hydrate dry skin cells—which makes no sense! Instead, increase your exfoliation to remove the dry skin cells, and then moisturize the new skin cells, resulting in a moister skin.

Those who desire smoother skin

One way to instantly smooth the skin is to exfoliate! When you rid the skin of the surface dry skin cells, you create a smoother appearance.

Those concerned about anti-aging

The skin’s natural exfoliation process slows as the skin ages, resulting in an accumulation of dry skin cells. As you increase your exfoliation, you are tricking the skin into acting young again.

Read the various types of exfoliating acids for the skin.

Get products recommended for your skin type by choosing one of our nine skin types.

Questions about your skin? Be sure to email us. We’re here to assist!

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Information courtesy of www.ReneeRouleau.com, a website with skin care tips, products based on nine skin types and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau.