Top 4 exfoliation tips to promote a healthy skin barrier

EXFOLIATION and a healthy skin barrier work hand in hand, and when done properly, can change your life.

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“The right exfoliation routine can be a powerful tool for promoting smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin. But when overused or not used correctly, exfoliants can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, which may result in redness, flaking or irritation,” said Kevin Khosa, skin expert and customer service manager at SKIN Functional.

Tip 1
First, define your skin type and choose a suitable exfoliation method.

• Dry and sensitive skin types – start off with a very gentle chemical exfoliator or a large molecule exfoliator such as Mandelic Acid, and apply twice a week and slowly increase frequency the more your skin adjusts.
• Normal and acne-prone skin types – consider AHAs (which are water-soluble chemical exfoliants that include ingredients like lactic and glycolic acids) to gently exfoliate your skin.
• Oily skin types – may want to consider a BHA (Beta-hydroxy acids which are oil-soluble chemical exfoliants, such as salicylic acid) to help unclog pores.

Tip 2
Look for exfoliating products with hydrating and skin barrier-reinforcing ingredients. It is essential to be gentle with your skin and nourish it after exfoliation treatments. To effectively achieve this, you want to look for exfoliating products that are formulated to be gentle enough for daily use, with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Products with these ingredients can help hydrate and calm your skin when used as part of your daily skincare routine.

Tip 3
Pick the correct exfoliating ingredients for your skin. Look for exfoliating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids and retinol, which can all be found in SKIN Functional’s chemical exfoliation range. The kind of ingredient you choose for your specific skin type will also determine the method of exfoliation that will be best for your skin that does not disrupt your skin barrier.

Tip 4
Practise minimal skincare. You only need four to five key products in your routine. Prevent overstimulating your skin as this can present itself as breakouts on your skin. Consider other ingredients you are using when incorporating exfoliation into your routine. Ingredients like Azelaic Acid, Vitamin C and Retinoids all increase cell turnover and used with exfoliation may lead to overstimulation of the skin. When in doubt, alternate the exfoliation treatments with the above-mentioned ingredients.

“Remember to be gentle with your skin and give it time. If you’re going to use a physical exfoliant, take extra care with gentle application and avoid over-scrubbing your skin. And finally, always practise sun protection in all and every skincare routine, especially if you’re exfoliating. This is because certain exfoliants – such as glycolic acid – may cause increased photosensitivity and elevate your risk of sun damage,” added Khosa.

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