Why Exfoliate? - Merindah Botanicals

Why Exfoliate?

Exfoliation is an important part of any skincare routine

But perhaps, like many women, you’ve heard of exfoliation but failed to incorporate it into your skin care routine. Not only is exfoliation an incredibly easy step to add to your routine, it’s also very important. Here’s some motivation to start exfoliating, yesterday!

What is exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing old, dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin in order to expose and promote the growth of the younger, new skin cells underneath. There are two ways to exfoliate the skin: manual and chemical exfoliation.

Why do we need to exfoliate?

Exfoliation occurs naturally to some extent when we sweat or wash our skin, however as skin ages, this natural process slows down. Manual exfoliation is important to keep these new skin cells turning over and the old ones being removed quickly.

Research has also shown that exfoliation aids in the effectiveness of other skincare products, such as cleaners, moisturisers and serums. These products can penetrate more deeply once the dead cells have been removed.

Who needs to exfoliate?

In short, everyone does! Exfoliating provides the benefits of smooth skin and increased circulation for all people. However, it is important to consider your skin type and age before deciding how much to exfoliate.

People who are younger, with more collagen in their skin may be able to exfoliate more often, and with a more aggressive method. Whereas, people with older or thinner skin may not be able to tolerate as much.

How often should I exfoliate?

It depends on your skin type. Oily skin should be exfoliate more often than dry skin. Start with 2-3 times per week and once you see how your skin reacts, you can either increase or decrease that amount.

Signs that you might be over-exfoliating include increased dryness, irritated skin and heightened sensitivity.

What is the best way to exfoliate?

It can be hard to decide whether to exfoliate with a manual technique (such as scrubs, brushes or konjac sponges) or a chemical one (such as glycolic or lactic acid), however keep in mind that everyone has a unique skin profile. Scrubs range from rough, larger particles (about the size of sand) to smaller, fine particles (about the size of caster sugar).

Rougher scrubs are best used on the body, while finer scrubs are more suitable for the face. As you rub the scrub into your skin, using a circular motion, the particles loosen and scrape away the dead skin cells.

Chemical exfoliation using lactic and glycolic acids can actually be gentler on delicate skin, as the process does not involve rubbing and scraping of the skin. These acids not only take off the top layer of dead cells, they also work to melt away the proteins that are binding the old cells to the new. Konjac Sponges are a great tool for exfoliation.

They are so gentle that they can be used twice a day, either with your favourite cleanser or just water. Enjoy your new radiant skin!

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