At this point during the winter, you may find your skin looks a bit dull and feels less than smooth. Or maybe you have noticed your skin is flaking?
When your skin looks or feels like this, it suggests a build up of dead skin cells. Basically, your regular skin cleansing isn't doing enough to slough your face. This can be caused by many factors: excess oil, pollution, hormones, make-up and / or diet. But don’t despair; you can help your skin with at-home exfoliation.
Exfoliation removes these skin cells, leaving you with a fresh face that is full of sparkle. It also increases your skin cell renewal rate, which slows down naturally with age. Yes, another joy of ageing, but one you can help to reverse.
Exfoliators abound on the high street, at specialist skincare counters and can even be created at home. In choosing the one that is right for you, be sure to choose something that is gentle. You never want to use something that feels like sandpaper on your skin. When you have finished exfoliating, if your skin is red and feels irritated (tight and dry), this is a sign that your exfoliator is too harsh.
When and how to use?
Once or twice a week, use the exfoliator all over your face, neck and décolleté. In other words the areas where you apply your moisturiser and sunscreen. After cleansing your face, massage your chosen exfoliator gently into your skin and then remove it with a flannel or washcloth as you are likely to need more than a splash of water to remove the exfoliant grains. After using exfoliator, I tone my skin and then apply serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. You should follow exfoliation with whichever of these steps you are using in your routine.
Bonus round: if my hands are feeling dry, I use facial exfoliant on them during my routine before moisturising. Double duty in just one treatment!
Products to consider trying: Indeed Exfoliator, La Roche-Posay Ultra-fine Scrub or DIY with coconut oil and sugar in a ratio of 2 to 1, respectively
Exfoliate with acid
You can also exfoliate your skin by using an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are perfect for addressing issues such as clogged pores, ageing and pigmentation. AHAs melt and expel extra sebum or oil trapped in pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can reduce skin discolouration.
Generally you’ll find AHAs in toners (these can be used daily), peel pads (use 1 to 3 times per week) or serums, gels and creams (use 1 or 2 times per week, usually overnight).
AHAs may make your skin tingle and this should help determine how often you use them. Remember, your skin should never feel an intense sting during or remain red after application. If you experience this, dial down the usage of your product.
Products to consider trying: Pixi Glow Tonic (Glow Peel Pads and Overnight Glow Serum are also great), Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads, Alpha-H Liquid Gold and Sunday Riley Good Genes
The S-word
While it goes without saying that you should be applying sunscreen EVERY day, if you have any AHA products in your routine, sunscreen is even more important as they may leave your skin more vulnerable to UVA and UVB damage. And remember, your everyday sunscreen does not need to feel like your summer at the beach cream.
Try these silky not sticky fluids: Laura Mercier Daily Face Shield, Honest Beauty Beyond Protected and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Compact-Cream
One last bit to mention. If you are using an electronic facial brush, such as Clarisonic, this is your exfoliation. You don’t need to add another product to your routine. And just as with using an exfoliating product, you should only use your Clarisonic one or two times a week, with the gentlest brush you can find. You may add AHA products into your routine alongside exfoliation brush use, if you wish.
Why not give exfoliation a try to reveal smoother, brighter skin?
You can read more here about establishing a basic skincare routine, using toners and serums.