Why You Need to Exfoliate Your Skin - Asya Grafy Bio Institute

Why You Need to Exfoliate Your Skin

Why You Need to Exfoliate Your Skin

Every month, your skin naturally shedds dead skin cells and therefore allows the emergence of new cells, but sometimes not all of the cells shed completely, which can lead to the appearance of textured, dry skin with flaky patches and clogged pores. What’s the solution you may ask? – Exfoliation!

With aging, the process of cell turnover slows down, therefore the dead skin cells stay longer on the top layer of the skin, which is why fine lines and wrinkles become more visible. With exfoliation, either pysical or chemical, you may reduce these symptoms, enhance skin tone and texture, making your skin look smoother and healthier.

Below, you’ll find the reasons on why including exfoliation in your skincare routine is a must.

The Key Targets of Exfoliation

Acne breakouts: exfoliation helps to clear out pores, balancing the sebum production and keeping breakouts at bay, removing excess dirt and dead skin cells, making your skin look clear and smooth, while also ensuring your pores stay unclogged.

Pores: regular exfoliation may even help to shrink pores, making your skin look smoother and less textured

Fine lines and Wrinkles: exfoliation helps to reveal a fresh layer of the skin, minimizing texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Age spots: exfoliation helps with fading age spots, due to its ability to shed dead skin cells which contain pigment, therefore providing you with more even complexion

Product absorption: with exfoliation and removance of dead skin cells, the products tend to absorb into the skin deeper, thereby contributing to their effectiveness.

Skin texture: exfoliation is your way of achieving smooth complexion. By removing rough patches, it leaves your skin soft and smooth.

Types of Exfoliation

There are two main types of skin exfoliation: chemical, which invloves using acids or enzymes, and physical, which includes using small abrasive particles to  manually remove the dead skin cells.

Chemical Exfoliation

Two of the most commonly used chemical exfoliants are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA). Both of these work by binding the lipids in the epidermis, therefore removing the dead skin cells.

AHAs are acids, soluble in water. The most commonly used AHAs in skincare are glycolic and lactic acid. BHAs on the other hand, are soluble in oil. They penetrate deeper into the skin to eliminate dead skin cells and excess sebum, which is why they are more effecitve for acne prone skin, while also reducing inflammation and redness. The most popular amongst the BHAs is salycylic acid.

Other frequently used chemical exfoliants include enzymes, which are especially good for individuals with sensitive skin. They operate similarly to acid-based exfoliants but a bit slower, making sure the exfoliation process is safe and gentle to the skin.

Physical Exfoliation

Physical exfoliation is basically manual scrubbing and rubbing of the dead skin cells. However, please note that the wrong exfoliation method can lead to skin damage or irritation, especially if you are using larger particles.

For individuals struggling with acne prone skin and big pores, larger particles like magneisum oxide crystals shouldn’t pose issues due to their tolerance for more abrasive particles. However, for people with dry and sensitive skin, smaller abrasives are recommended, such as jojoba beads, which are uniform in size and shape, reducing the risk of skin damage, irritation, or even cuts. Also, certain natural ingredients may not be suitable for all skin types, even if their origin is organic. For example, crushed nutshells and seeds tend to have uneven edges and can be different in sizes, which is why they can potentially harm sensitive skin.

What Works Best for Certain Skin Types?

Choosing the right exfoliation method for your skin type can reduce the risk of irritation and improve the appearance of your skin.

Normal skin
People with normal skin can try to experiment with any type of exfoliation based on their personal preference.

Dry skin
Individuals with dry, flaky and textured skin are usually advised to use chemical exfoliants like AHAs, which enetrate into the top layer of the skin, enhance product absorption and providing hydration.

Oily skin
People with oily skin tend to tolerate stronger exfoliants, including both chemical or physical options

Acne prone skin
Individuals who struggle with acne breakouts are usually advised to use active ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which penetrates deeper into the skin, to manage acne breakouts more effectively.

Sensitive skin
People with sensitive skin require gentle exfoliation methods, like enzyme-based exfoliants.

How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Skin?

Basically, how often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you might need to exfoliate more often than if you have dry skin. Without regular exfoliation, your skin might start to produce too much oil, which can then lead to acne breakouts. Therefore, for oily skin types, exfoliating two to three times a week should be sufficient enough, while on the other hand, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you should exfoliate less often to avoid irritating your skin, maybe once a week, according to skincare specialists. If your skin is very sensitive, you might only need to exfoliate every 10-14 days.

References:

Grajqevci-Kotori M, Kocinaj A. Exfoliative Skin-peeling, Benefits from This Procedure and Our Experience. Med Arch. 2015 Dec;69(6):414-6.

What Does It Mean to Exfoliate? Why You Should and How to Start. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating

The Importance of Exfoliation. Available from: https://awomanshealth.com/skin-beauty/the-importance-of-exfoliation

Exfoliation Explained: What Is Exfoliation and Why Your Skin Needs It. Available from: https://www.dermstore.com/blog/exfoliation-definition-and-benefits/

Samargandy S, Raggio BS. Chemical Peels for Skin Resurfacing. 2023 Oct 29.

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