Skip to content

SUMMER SALE STARTS NOW - SAVE 25% OFF - APPLY SUMMERSKIN25 AT CHECKOUT

January 28, 2021

Exfoliating Explained- Get Glowing Skin, Naturally

Exfoliating is one of the easiest ways to improve the texture, tone and clarity of your skin, but do you know how best to exfoliate, and how often is recommended? Here's our guide to all things exfoliation.
What is exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dry, dead skin cells from the skins surface. Our skin naturally sheds around every 30 days, making way for the new, fresh cells that keep our skin hydrated and protected, but it can sometimes need a helping hand.

Why is it important to exfoliate your skin?

While our skin does it's best to shed these cells naturally, some can outstay their welcome, leaving our skin looking dull, dry and leading to congestion. Regularly exfoliating our skin is a great way to speed up the process, revealing fresh, healthy cells and helping to unclog pores.

What are the different ways to exfoliate?

There are generally two ways to exfoliate the skin. The first is using a manual exfoliant such as a facial scrub, brush or cloth to gently buff the surface of the skin, 'manually' removing dead cells from the skin. The second way is by using a chemical exfoliant, such as a product or treatment including AHA's or BHA's. These work by loosening the 'glue' that holds the dead cells together, helping to easily remove them from the skin.

Exfoliating with a scrub

Manual exfoliators or face scrubs often contain ingredients such as jojoba beads, coconut shell or rice grains to gently polish the top layer of the skin, helping to dislodge dry or dead skin cells. These can be a great way to get instant results, and can be targeted to specific areas, such as the nose, chin or forehead. They can also help to increase circulation in the skin giving you instant glow. Our Facial Glow AHA Radiance Polish uses the manual exfoliation of natural jojoba beads, plus the chemical power of AHA's to exfoliate and brighten.

Exfoliating with AHA's

Chemical exfoliation uses skin-friendly acids like AHA's or BHA's to break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the surface of the skin, leaving skin clearer and helping to encourage cell turnover. They can be a great option for those who find manual exfoliators too harsh on their skin, as they require no scrubbing. Our Skin Resurfacing Multi-Acid Facial Pads combines Glycolic Acid (AHA) with fruit acids and aloe vera to gently and gradually increase cell turnover, leaving skin smoother, brighter and more even in tone and texture.

Our top tips for exfoliating
  • Make sure to cleanse your skin before exfoliating to remove make-up and daily grime from your skin. You don't want to make your exfoliator work harder than it needs to!
  • Start gradually. Begin exfoliating 1-2 times a week, and build up when and if your skin can tolerate it. Always read the product instructions as some exfoliators (particularly chemical) can vary in strength.
  • Exfoliate in the evening, as revealing those fresh new cells can leave your skin more prone to UV damage. Don't forget your SPF the following day!
Shop Exfoliators