You regularly hear about how good it is to exfoliate your skin, but did you know that there are many benefits you can gain from it other than a fresher complexion? Here are a few ways to achieve gorgeous, healthier-looking skin though exfoliation.
Get rid of excess oil
If you don’t exfoliate, oil can build up, resulting in clogged pores. This can cause pimple breakouts. By getting rid of dead skin cells, you promote the creation of new skin cells, which also removes dirt and oil in the process. Goodbye, blackheads and whiteheads!
If you have oily skin, you might be tempted to over-exfoliate but this can lead to dry skin that ends up producing more oil. Be gentle. Oily skin benefits most from an exfoliating scrub (like ZENMED’s Refining Scrub) because it tackles skin impurities before washing them away.
Boost circulation
When you exfoliate your body, the massaging motion can help improve your blood circulation and lymphatic system. This has the effect of flushing toxins from the body while also producing new skin cells.
When skin starts to age, it loses its ability to create new skin cells as fast as it used to, so it requires a bit more exfoliation — twice a week will be sufficient to boost cell production.
Achieve clear skin that glows
When we think of exfoliating our skin, we typically think of products that contain some sort of gritty material – whether it be walnut shells or jojoba beads, for example. However, there is a different kind of exfoliator that has no grit, but still gets the job done — these are called Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally-derived chemical exfoliators that not only get rid of dead skin cells, but may have a lightening effect on the skin as well. Research has pointed to how lactic acids (a common AHA derived from milk sugars) can block melanin production, resulting in lighter skin.
AHAs can also make your skin more luminous. Glycolic acid, a popular AHA that is commonly derived from sugar cane, doesn’t just create an even complexion – it also helps to bind water to the skin, which leads to greater hydration. The result? Your skin gets a natural, gorgeous glow!
Use BHA to fight blemishes
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are another type of naturally-derived acid exfoliator. Salicylic acid (the best known BHA) is a chemical compound that can treat various types of inflammation. It’s also oil-soluble, which means that it can get deep into your pores which contain sebum (or oil) and remove the dead skin cells that have built up beneath the surface of your skin. This, along with BHA’s antibacterial properties make it a great exfoliator if you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin.
Just remember, when using products that contain AHAs or BHAs, it’s always recommended to apply a moisturizer that contains sunscreen as well.
Cassie Brewer is a journalist in Southern California. She is passionate about helping others look and feel their best and finds that one of the best ways to accomplish this is through the foods that we eat. You can follow her on Twitter.