The science behind exfoliating your skin

There is no shortage of skin care advice out there. From cleansing to moisturizing, there seems to be an endless list of tasks you should be taking care of in order to maintain healthy and gorgeous skin. One of the most common skin care routines that dermatologists everywhere recommend is regular exfoliation. This act of removing dead skin cells from your face once or twice a week helps to make room for fresh, glowing skin. It’s an essential step towards achieving a smoother and more youthful complexion and ensuring that you’re maintaining good skin health.

However, you may be feeling a bit skeptical after hearing all the hype about exfoliation. What exactly does it do for your skin? What are the benefits? What is the best face exfoliator? If these are some of the questions you have, this guide will give you the answers. Once you understand exfoliation better, you can start to incorporate the best face exfoliator into your own skin care routine.

What is Exfoliation?

In the simplest terms, exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, or the outermost layer of skin. Once these cells disappear, new and healthy skin cells have the chance to emerge from underneath the old layer of skin. The result is a complexion that appears bright and smooth. But why is this process of cell turnover such a vital component of every skin care routine?

Each day, your skin is exposed to a number of harmful elements in the environment. Some aspects of everyday life that can pose a threat to your skin are:

  • UV rays from the sun
  • Wind
  • Dirt and bacteria
  • Pollution

When these substances build up on your skin, they can eventually cause serious damage. Exfoliating on a regular basis helps to keep your skin protected from the many harmful elements around you. As a result, you can enjoy healthy and glowing skin that naturally wards off any damaging substances that come its way.

What Are the Benefits of Exfoliation?

Now that you understand how exfoliation works, you may be wondering how it benefits your skin beyond the basic process of cell turnover. Exfoliation naturally enhances your complexion no matter what skin type you have, making it a fundamental aspect of your skin care regimen. Here are some of the most essential benefits of exfoliation that you should consider before trying it out for yourself.

  • Reduces dryness: When you exfoliate your skin, you’re able to remove any dry patches or flakiness that may have built up and caused damage. This is extremely helpful if you struggle with dry skin. Exfoliation can eliminate the dull, dry spots on your skin and make room for a fresh, new complexion.
  • Brightens skin: If you normally have dry or ashen skin, exfoliation can help you look young and fresh-faced. This skin care regimen naturally brightens your skin by reducing dullness. Not only does brighter and smoother skin look better, but it is also much healthier.
  • Reduces acne: Another major benefit of exfoliation is its ability to prevent you from breaking out. During the process of cell turnover, the dead skin cells that are removed allow your pores to clear up. Clogged pores lead to acne and blackheads, which means clearing them up keeps these imperfections from appearing on your skin. Studies have shown that exfoliating with salicylic acid reduces the frequency and severity of breakouts, making it a worthwhile addition to your skin care routine.
  • Improves circulation: Believe it or not, the benefits of exfoliation go beyond boosting the outer layer of your skin. The circular motions that are involved in the process also improve your blood circulation, which helps to support and nourish your whole complexion. Not only are you cleansing the surface of your skin when you exfoliate, but you’re also purifying your skin from within.

How You Can Achieve Healthier Skin Today

By incorporating exfoliation into your skin care regimen, you can discover these transformative effects for yourself. Taking a little bit of time out of your week to free yourself of dead skin cells is worth the effort. Once you make room for fresh, glowing skin, you’ll wonder how you ever went so long without giving your skin the proper care it needs.

Resources— Skin Pi, HowStuffWorks, Herbal Dynamics Beauty

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