If you want that youthful glow – exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

Did you know you are renewed every 27 days? This is not a spiritual experience, but a physical one. Every day 330 billion of your body’s skin cells replace themselves in a skin evolution of natural exfoliation, taking approximately 27 days to completely regenerate your skin’s protective sheath transforming you into a ‘new’ you.

But, your skin struggles to protect you due to all the irritant pollutants around such as cigarette and vape smoke, dust, exhaust fumes, chemical smog, and harsh weather conditions. These all affect your skin which suffers skin irritations, allergic reactions, rashes and wrinkles. It is left with decreased elasticity and, horrors, accelerated aging as it becomes grimy, clogged, and stressed.

The answer to removing that winter, weathered look is regular exfoliation as part of your personal skincare routine. What exfoliation does is resurface your skin, gently cleaning out your pores and polishing and refining the surface to leave it smooth, velvet-soft, and radiantly glowing.

What happens if you don’t cleanse and exfoliate your skin?
It’s time to face the harsh reality. If we don’t exfoliate, there is an increased production in your skin’s oil glands which is the leading cause of blackheads and whiteheads, acne, ingrown hair follicles, and trapped dead skin cells, (yuck). This results in inflammations, pustules, and a feeding pool of bacteria.

5 benefits of exfoliation, according to Bramley:  

#Faster Cell Generation: Exfoliation is key to boosting new cell turnover, loosening, and lifting dead skin cells making way for a cleaner, younger, and more absorbent skin.

#Increase in Collagen: When you add or increase your exfoliation treatments, your skin is stimulated and alerted to produce more collagen which helps to keep your skin firm and wrinkle-free.

#Wrinkle & Worry-Free Days: Research exposes the dirty truth. Wrinkles get wedged into place and are deepened by corneocyte plugs which are balls of dead, hardened skin which keep your wrinkles in place. The gentle circular motions of exfoliation help to keep your skin clear of these plugs, so it is more difficult for wrinkles to form. (Are you taking notes?)

#Boost Lymphatic Drainage: Exfoliation encourages blood circulation and increases your skin’s hydration levels. It also reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and diminishes the appearance of skin discolouration and dark spots.

#Sensory Touch Stimulation: Our bodies love to be touched and soothed and exfoliating your body’s skin is a perfect opportunity to calm and pamper yourself.

How often should you exfoliate?
The recommended use is two to three times per week but if you have sensitive skin, exfoliate once a week.
Cease and desist! Over-exfoliating can remove the natural oils from your skin which needs to stay subtle. After exfoliating apply a moisturiser and sunscreen before going outdoors.