Out with the old; in with the new: It’s the perfect January skincare mantra. If extreme weather or too much holiday fun has left your complexion dull and dry, one of the fastest and most effective ways to make a change to dry skin is to exfoliate — that is, to remove old skin cells, revealing newer skin underneath.
Exfoliating helps with cell turnover, the natural shedding of dead cells that slows down as we age. In other words… if these cells accumulate, skin can feel rough and look dull. Exfoliation helps remove some of that debris, so skin is smoother and reflects light more evenly. Most importantly, good bye dry skin!
There are two different ways to accomplish this transformation:
Mechanical exfoliators polish away dead cells using granules, such as sugar or salt crystals.
Chemical exfoliators, which include glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid, dissolve the bond between old cells and the newer ones underneath.
So which exfoliation method is better?
Rodan + Fields founders Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields recommend both. “We’re fans of both gentle chemical and mechanical exfoliation, with the key word being ‘gentle,” they explain in their book Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change.
“In our experience, it takes the perfect combination of the two to dissolve the bonds between cells without irritating skin and to sweep away dead cells, leaving skin soft and smooth.”
The Doctors’ advice: “Don’t overdo it.”
-Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields
If you don’t exfoliate regularly and want to start, or if you’ve only used one kind of exfoliator and would like to add the chemical or mechanical product you’re missing, give your skin time to get used to it:
- Most importantly, Start slow, and don’t overscrub. If your skin looks red or feels raw, take a break and give it a chance to recover.
- Secondly, Treat your face and body differently. The skin on elbows, knees and heels may respond well to daily exfoliation, while your face may prefer it every few days. And avoid the temptation to use a body scrub on your face; the exfoliating particles may be too aggressive. (If you’re looking for one scrub formulated for both face and body, try our ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste.)
- In addition, for best results, moisturize after you exfoliate.
Looking for exfoliating products from Rodan + Fields? or have questions? CONTACT ME HERE!
CHEMICAL EXFOLIATORS
Face
- REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum
- REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream
- REDEFINE Pore Minimizing Toner
- REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash
- REVERSE Dual Active Brightening Complex
- REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner
- REVERSE Skin Lightening Toner
- REVERSE Skin Lightening Treatment
- UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner
Body
- REDEFINE Brightening Hand Treatment
MECHANICAL EXFOLIATORS
Face
- REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask
- REDEFINE AMP MD Derma-Roller
- REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash
- ESSENTIALS Instant Makeup Remover Wipes
- ESSENTIALS Gauze Pads
Face and Body
- ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste
Battling cystic acne in my mid-thirties had me deep into depression… once my skin cleared my life changed.
I want YOU to feel confident every day too… that’s why I’m taking the time to share my skincare experiences, and the professional information I have access to, so you can make wise choices that will leave your skin looking its best.
Join our community
I’m striving for a better version of myself by becoming… more stronger, healthier, and confident every day. If you need a community to empower you, keep you accountable, cry with you, and offer you grace when you need it most… I’m creating one on Facebook and you are more than welcome to join – request group access “Journey of Becoming with Kristin Korn”.
Another blog article you may like to read is How to get the perfect sleep every night.
