The Lo Down: A beauty tip for better skin

This means removing dead skin cells that can build up on the skin surface and which can lead to skin irritations and blemishes.

There are various benefits to exfoliating. Regular exfoliation helps prevent your skin from becoming dry, meaning better hydrated skin. This is because after exfoliation, your skin is able to better absorb creams and cleansers which add moisture to your skin. The build-up of dead skin cells can also lead to blotchiness and pigmentation so exfoliation helps to smooth out your skin tone and fade blemishes. In addition, exfoliation unclogs your skin’s pores and helps to reduce the likelihood of skin breakouts.

Exfoliation 101

There are two types of exfoliation products: chemical and mechanical. Chemical exfoliants are made up of either acid or fruit enzymes and they range in strength from gentle to more aggressive. Chemical exfoliation products to try include Garnier’s Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel and SkinCeuticals’ Retexturing Activator.

For those with more sensitive or allergy-prone skin, mechanical exfoliants are a better option. These involve the use of a brush, sponge, facecloth, or scrub to exfoliate. Mechanical exfoliation products to try include Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant, Neutrogena’s Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub, and Clinique’s 7-Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula.

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New-age exfoliation

Exfoliating brushes have become very popular lately thanks to Clarisonic, the world’s leading brand when it comes to cleansing brushes. This method of mechanical exfoliation is recommended by dermatologists who stress that cleansing brushes help to reduce the appearance of pore size and create a softer, smoother, and more radiant complexion.

These brushes work with the skin’s natural elasticity and gently remove impurities deep from your pores, priming your skin to better absorb skincare products. Clinical results have shown that using these brushes helps to increase skincare product absorption and can be up to six times more effective when it comes to removing makeup, dirt, and oil than cleansing with your hands alone.

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How often should you exfoliate?

Frequency of exfoliation depends on various factors including your age, skin type and tone, and where you live. If you have young, oily skin and live in an area with a warm climate (which means quicker build-up of dead skin cells), you should exfoliate more regularly. For most people, though, exfoliating twice a week is recommended.

Leigh is a beauty and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on twitter @Le1ghLo or on her blog www.Le1ghLo.com.