Exfoliation Basics 101: Elevate your Exfoliation Game!
Whether you love taking care of your skin or you're just starting to learn about skincare, we live in the age of over exfoliation making understanding how to exfoliate your face and body, confusing. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings in these skin care streets that could end up doing more harm than good. To shed light on this essential skincare practice, I turned to the expertise of Dr. Tiffany Carle, Associate Principal Scientist in Skin & Clinical Research at Mary Kay, Inc., to get answers to the most common questions about exfoliation, so you can exfoliate your skin the right way!
I. What is exfoliation, and why is it important?
In terms of skin care, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells. You can achieve this removal with a physical exfoliant like a scrub or brush or by using a chemical exfoliant, which may use an acidic chemical such as glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) to remove dead skin cells.
This is an important step regardless of skin type, because even though the skin renews itself every 30 days or so, sometimes the uppermost dead skin cells are not completely removed naturally. Exfoliation helps clear these excess dead surface cells so the underlying new skin cells are revealed. Exfoliating the skin — including the lips— helps smooth skin texture and may also help prevent the development of dry, flaky skin. If you're looking for anti-aging benefits, you should exfoliate because it can help improve skin radiance, texture and clarity, and can also reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles for younger-looking skin*
II. Exfoliation for Different Skin Types
Q. If I use retinol products? Does that change how I should exfoliate?
Yes! If you’re using a retinol product, we don’t recommend using exfoliation products while your skin is still in the retinization period, as this may increase potential discomfort. After the retinization process and skin has adjusted, you can use exfoliation products on the evenings you are not using retinol. If you experience skin discomfort, scale back the use of exfoliants as tolerated by your skin.*
Q. Is it possible to over exfoliate my skin?
Absolutely! We recommend exfoliating only two or three times per week, and always massage in physical scrubs gently. Rigorous scrubbing could remove too much skin and could result in redness and irritation. And if you use chemical peels, only use them as directed since overexposure could also irritate the skin.
You should always stop if your skin feels irritated. And this applies to you even if you aren’t using retinol. No matter what the rest of your routine looks like, don’t exfoliate too often or more intensely than you should.*
III. Special Considerations for Women of Color
Q. As a woman of color, should I do anything different to exfoliate my skin? Like other dark-skinned women, I’m a little concerned about getting hyperpigmentation from physical exfoliation.
Women with darker skin may find that mild chemical exfoliants perform better than physical exfoliants such as face scrubs, which can irritate skin if they’re applied too rigorously. Melanin-rich skin tones, such as those found in people of African American, Latina, Indian and Middle Eastern descent, among others, are often more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This means that skin irritation may lead to dark spots or mottled pigmentation.*
For darker skin tones and hyperpigmentation, it's essential to remember that irritation can lead to inflammation, which in turn leads to hyperpigmentation. Knowing this made a significant difference for my skin! I struggled for years with dark spots, unaware that products which worked well for other skin tones and types actually caused irritation and inflammation for me. Despite its reputation for effectively removing dead skin with fine particles, microdermabrasion only resulted in dark spots and enlarged pores that troubled my skin for years. I attempted to reintroduce it into my exfoliation routine several times over the years, but without fail, within a day or two, a pimple would appear, leading to those persistent dark spots that can take years to fade.
Product Suggestion:
Multilayer Exfoliator: I suggest using Mary Kay Clinical Solutions® PHA + AHA Resurface (my personal favorite) instead of a physical exfoliant since it exfoliates with pha and glycolic acid, considered by many experts to be the gold standard among alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
This serum packs a powerful punch! I can't rave enough about its gentle yet effective exfoliating properties. Thanks to this serum, I can now exfoliate my skin twice a week without any irritation, which was impossible for me in the past. This product is truly a game changer for women of color with dark spots and /or sensitivities using manual exfoliators.
IV. Full-Body Exfoliation
Q. Do I need to exfoliate my body, too, or just my face and lips?
All healthy skin can benefit from exfoliation. Exfoliating your elbows, knees and feet can be especially beneficial to prevent dry, flaky skin. Do not exfoliate broken or irritated skin on your body. And while exfoliating before applying self-tanner helps you achieve a more even application since it helps ensure the skin surface is uniform, I don’t recommend using a body exfoliator before or after shaving since both procedures can potentially irritate the skin. And contrary to popular belief, body exfoliation doesn’t help with ingrown hairs. A better approach would be to shave in the morning, then exfoliate with a body scrub in the evening.*
Product Suggestions:
Full-Body Exfoliation: Satin Body® Revitalizing Shea Scrub is a great full-body scrub for sloughing off dead skin, especially since it’s formulated with nourishing shea butter. You can even use it as a foot scrub!
Exfoliating Hand Care: Get softer, smoother hands with the Fragrance-Free Satin Hands® Pampering Set for a relaxing at-home spa experience. It’s also available in a soothing White Tea & Citrus scent.
Exfoliating Lip Care: Leave dry, chapped lips behind while delivering moisturizing bliss in two easy steps with the White Tea & Citrus Satin Lips® Set.
V. Exfoliation and Acne
Q. What about acne?
Can I still exfoliate if I have acne?
Yes! People with acne-prone skin can exfoliate their skin. In fact, it may be beneficial because it may help clear pores. However, it’s crucial to avoid exfoliating active lesions or pimples and to consult with a board-certified dermatologist before using an exfoliating product.*
DID YOU KNOW?
Salicylic acid, a common ingredient in skin care products for acne-prone skin, is an exfoliating ingredient known for acne-fighting. It helps remove dead skin cells and helps keep pores unclogged to reduce buildup of P. acnes bacteria on acne-prone skin.
Product Suggestion:
Exfoliating With Salicylic Acid: Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner* contains 2% salicylic acid and tones without over drying, cleanses skin completely and helps control shine. Plus, it leaves skin feeling soft and supple.
Q. Can I still exfoliate if I have to wear a face mask?
If wearing a mask irritates your skin, I don’t recommend exfoliating or using any products that have the potential to further irritate the skin immediately prior to wearing one. In general, it is best to exfoliate at night so the skin is not exposed to any new irritants while it repairs.*
Exfoliation for Beginners and Beyond
Want a deeper insight into your skin? The Mary Kay® Skin Analyzer, uses facial skin recommendation technology to evaluate your skin and provide personalized Mary Kay product recommendations.
The Analyzer Evaluates these skin characteristics:
Skin Type
Skin Texture
Wrinkles
Skin Tone
Under eye Appearance
The Skin Analyzer tailors a skincare routine and finds the perfect exfoliant for your needs. As a Personal Skin Care Advisor, I can also share the latest makeup looks through virtual one-on-one consultations and small group sessions.
Get Your FREE Skin Analysis Today!
Comments