A Time to Peel…
Now is the perfect time to gently, wisely, step up our home skin care regimens with (well-suited for your skin!) exfoliation.
We have been released from the persistence of the summer sun, and this gives us some time and space to help heal any sun damage that may have occurred over those super sunny months. We can truly rejuvenate our skin by ramping up healthy, rejuvenating, skin cell turnover through exfoliation.
What is Exfoliation? What Does it Do?
Exfoliation (when our skin sheds dead skin cells) helps to reveal our smoother, softer, brighter skin just under the most damaged surface layer.
Exfoliation also helps to make our pores look more refined. (Our pores are typically a bit cone-shaped -getting wider at the top- so when we exfoliate regularly, we get narrower looking pores).
How Do We Really Get Refined Pores?
Skin nerd fact! Did you know there is really no way to “tighten” your pores? Our pores are not musculature, so they can’t truly “contract”, BUT! They can get clogged and enlarged, which does indeed make them bigger. The best way to keep your pores from getting to this state is by using a really good cleanser every night before bed (yes, EVERY night) and using a good exfoliating product (or two) that is a good match for your skin, and then exfoliating as often as needed.
Exfoliation Makes All Your Skin Care Products Work Better~
Good exfoliation is truly the key to getting the absolute most out of your home skin care routine. When your skin is well-exfoliated, it will drink in your hydrating mist, your serum, your moisturizer and facial oil much, much more efficiently, allowing your skin to receive the maximum benefits from ALL your products (amazing what can happen when we get all those dead skin cells out of the way!).
And! Skin that is well-exfoliated simply looks better! Smoother, softer, brighter, and more refined.
How Often Do We Exfoliate? And What’s Best for My Skin?
You can use one excellent exfoliating product (this is usually best with sensitive and thinner skin) or two, as it can be quite helpful to alternate between a physical exfoliant (like a scrub or powder) and a non-physical exfoliant (like an enzyme peel or a fruit acid peel) because our skin can absolutely benefit from both types.
Note of caution! Be sure you are exfoliating enough to give your skin a boost of good benefits, but not so much that you over-exfoliate, which will leave your skin sensitive and dry. (Over-exfoliation happens when we exfoliate so much that we force skin cells up to the surface that are not quite ready to be at the surface yet.) If this accidentally happens, cease all exfoliation until your skin returns to normal (is no longer unusually dry and sensitive).
Most exfoliating products are meant to be used about 1 to 4 times per week, but be sure to follow the instructions for your specific exfoliating product (and then adjust more or less often for your individual skin from there if needed).
When your skin is exfoliated the right amount, it will feel softer and smoother, have more refined pores, and have an over-all brighter appearance. (As always, check in with your esthetician if you have any confusion about how to best use your exfoliating products.)
Lovely options for exfoliating your skin to perfection~
Non-Physical Exfoliants~
AHA Fruit Peel and Paprika Treatment~ Great for nearly all non-sensitive skin types, this powerhouse duo enlivens, refreshes and reinvigorates your complexion like nobody’s business.
Sulphuric Exfoliator~ Helpful for nearly all sensitive skin types, this gentle wonder calms and soothes while softly restoring and refining the surface of your skin.
Retinol~ This supremely well-formulated retinol-and-glycolic-leave-on serum is uber potent yet also gentle enough for most skin types, reliably helping with clogged pores, uneven skin tone and fine lines.
Physical Exfoliants~
Apricot Scrub~ Beneficial for nearly all skin types (generally not recommended for those prone to visible capillaries), this creamy scrub is fast, effective and smells lovely. The wise formulation of this scrub ensures it does not gouge your skin, but glides along the surface to slough away dead skin cells.
Crystal Cleansing Exfoliant~ Lovely for nearly all non-sensitive skin types (generally not recommended for those prone to visible capillaries or sensitive skin), this potent scrub gets the job done. Hydrating, moisturizing and brightening, this active scrub is a true multi-tasker.
Rhassoul Crystal Exfoliant~ Suitable for most skin types, this exceptionally clean, natural, exfoliating powder (made entirely of Moroccan rhassoul from mineral rich, ancient clay beds and finely ground siliceous earth crystals from the ocean floor) can be customized to your preference. Add more water and cleanser to less powder to make it oh-so-gentle, or add more powder to less cleanser and water to make it more robust.
Refine Polish~ Tiny, natural, Jojoba esters provide gentle, non-abrading physical exfoliation to help unclog pores. Refine Polish also helps to repair and support your skin’s natural barrier function. Gentle enough (but very effective!) for most skin types.
Ease in some good, regular exfoliation with your already solid home care routine, and you will be setting the stage for a healthy, beautiful glow this fall and winter.
“Exfoliate the bad vibes.”
~ Unknown
“Siri, remove my makeup.”
~Unknown
“I regret taking such good care of my skin.”
~Said No One Ever
“Good things come to those who take their makeup off before going to bed.”
~Unknown
“I just want clear skin, full eyebrows, and five million dollars.”
~Unknown
“I like my products like I like my people, non-toxic.”
~Unknown
“I am a better person when I’m moisturized.”
~ Unknown
“Be brave and do your skincare.”
~Unknown
Blog written by Marna Herrington with Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio
Blog copy editing and polishing provided by Karen-Eileen Gordon (MsGordonLovesWriting@gmail.com)
This blog is not intended to take the place of in-person consultations with qualified skin care and health care practitioners. This blog is for the purpose of education and fun only. All images and text in this blog are under the legal ownership of Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio or are unambiguously in the public domain. Permission is not granted for this text or these images to be copied and used out of the context of this blog, or for commercial purposes. If any part of the text is quoted in an article or other blog for educational purposes, a hyperlink to this page must be included.