How to Exfoliate Skin

Seeing dull skin in the mirror can be frustrating, but exfoliating regularly can help you look your best! Your skin renews itself every 28 days, and it’s normal for dead skin cells to build up. Exfoliation removes your dead skin cells to reveal youthful skin. Use a chemical exfoliator or scrub to exfoliate your face and body. Additionally, choose an exfoliator that’s best for your skin type.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Scrubbing Your Face

1. Apply your exfoliator by making circular motions with your fingers. Put a quarter-size amount of your chemical exfoliator or scrub on your fingertips. Then, rub it across your face with circular motions. ^[1]
   
2. Rinse off the exfoliator with cool water and pat your face dry. Splash the water over your face until all of the product is removed. Use cool water to shrink the look of your pores. Then, blot your face dry using a soft, clean towel.^[2]
   
   • If you used a scrub, make sure that you don’t have any granules in your hair line or stuck on your skin. It can be hard to remove all of the exfoliator.
3. Apply moisturizer to your face to soothe your skin. Your skin might feel a little dry or tight after you exfoliate, so it’s best to moisturize your skin. Use facial lotion immediately after you exfoliate to add moisture back to your skin. Choose a moisturizer that’s formulated for your skin type. Then, massage about a dime-sized amount of it into your skin.^[3]
   
   • If you use a face serum, apply the serum before you use your moisturizer.
4. Exfoliate your face 2-3 times a week. Your skin will look its best if you exfoliate it regularly. At a minimum, it’s best to exfoliate your skin twice a week. If your skin tolerates it well, exfoliate 3 times per week.^[4]
   
   • If you have sensitive skin, you may only be able to exfoliate once a week. Try 2-3 times per week but reduce how often you exfoliate if your skin is red, dry, or itchy.
   • The best time of day to exfoliate is in the morning. Your skin renews itself at night, so the morning is the best time to scrub away your dead skin cells.^[5]
5. Pick a chemical exfoliator with an acid for a less abrasive option. A chemical exfoliator is gentler than a manual exfoliator so it’s less damaging to your skin. Look for a product that says it’s a chemical exfoliator. Additionally, read the label to make sure your product contains glycolic acid, lactic acid, beta hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid, which are popular exfoliators. You can use these types of exfoliators as a regular face wash.^[6]
   
   • You may be able to use a chemical exfoliator daily, but start with 2-3 times per week to see how your skin tolerates it.
   • Read the label on your exfoliator and follow the instructions for the product you chose.
6. Use a commercial scrub or make your own if your skin tolerates it. Scrubs are manual exfoliators that slough off your top layer of skin. These types of exfoliators are great for removing your dead skin cells but can irritate your skin because they’re abrasive. Try a scrub if you like the smooth, polished feel they give you.^[7]
   
   • A salt or sugar scrub will be milder than a scrub that has plastic beads or ground up nuts.
   • You can make your own salt or sugar scrub by adding 2 tsp (8 g) of salt or sugar to your regular cleanser. As another option, combine of coconut oil, 2 tbsp (24 g) of sugar, and of lemon juice to make a homemade facial scrub.

[Edit]Picking the Right Exfoliator for Your Skin

1. Choose any exfoliator that feels comfortable if your skin is normal. Your skin should tolerate most exfoliators, but it might get irritated if you use a manual scrub. For best results, try a chemical and manual exfoliator, but use them on different days. This will help you get the benefits of both without stressing your skin.^[8]
   
   • For instance, you might use a chemical exfoliator on Sunday and a manual scrub on Wednesday.
   • If you exfoliate 3 times per week, you could use a chemical exfoliator on Sunday and Tuesday, then use your scrub on Friday.
2. Apply a strong chemical exfoliator or use a scrub if you have oily skin. Some chemical exfoliators are stronger than others. Look for a product that has BHAs listed on the label or a high percentage of AHAs. Alternatively, use a manual face scrub to slough off your dead skin cells.^[9]
   
   • You will likely be able to exfoliate 3 times a week if you have oily skin.
3. Use a washcloth and chemical exfoliator on dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Look for a mild chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Apply it to a washcloth for more exfoliation. Then, gently scrub your face once or twice a week to remove your dead skin cells.^[10]
   
   • If your skin gets irritated, apply the product with your fingers instead of a washcloth.

[Edit]Exfoliating Your Body

1. Use an exfoliating body wash to exfoliate in the shower daily. Look for a body wash that has a chemical exfoliator or a manual exfoliator, like sugar, salt, or plastic beads. Since the skin on your body is thicker, it’s okay to use a stronger exfoliator and to exfoliate more often. Scrub yourself with your exfoliating body wash every day to keep your skin looking soft and smooth.^[11]
   
   • If your skin feels dry or irritated, decrease how often you use your body wash. Try using it 2-3 times a week.
2. Exfoliate with a sugar or salt scrub weekly to polish your skin. If you want your skin to be really soft and smooth, use a manual exfoliator once a week to improve your skin. Wet your skin, then massage the scrub into your body before you shower. Start at your shoulders, then rub the exfoliator into your skin down to your toes. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees, and ankles where skin tends to build up.^[12]
   
   • If you don’t use an exfoliating body wash, it’s okay to use a body scrub twice a week, if you like.
   • You can purchase a commercial body scrub or make your own. For a simple body scrub, combine equal parts brown sugar or salt with coconut oil, almond oil, or sweet almond oil.
3. Make short, light strokes if you use a dry brush or sponge. A brush or scrub allows you to easily exfoliate your skin without a product. Use your brush or sponge daily before you shower while your skin is dry. Start at your shoulders and work your way down to your feet. Move the brush or sponge across your skin in short, light strokes to remove your dead skin cells.^[13]
   
   • Using the brush or sponge can irritate your skin, especially if it’s sensitive. If this happens, use your brush or sponge once a week or switch to a different exfoliator.
4. Apply moisturizer after you exfoliate to nourish your skin. It’s normal for your skin to feel dry or itchy after you exfoliate. Fortunately, you can relieve this by applying a body lotion or cream. Slather your favorite moisturizer over your body as soon as you get out of the shower.^[14]
   
   • Use about a shot glass of body lotion or cream to cover your entire body. However, use more if necessary.

[Edit]Warnings

• Ask your dermatologist for a prescription exfoliator if your skin gets irritated.^[15]
• Don’t exfoliate your skin if you have a cut, wound, or sunburn. It can cause irritation or further damage.^[16]
• Exfoliating your skin too often can damage it. Start with once or twice a week, then reduce how often you exfoliate if your skin gets irritated.^[17]

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
4. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-often-you-should-exfoliate-your-face
5. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-exfoliate/
6. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-often-you-should-exfoliate-your-face
7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-often-you-should-exfoliate-your-face
8. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/whats-the-deal-with-exfoliatin
9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
10. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
11. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/the-dos-and-donts-of-exfoliating-your-body/
12. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
13. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
14. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
15. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-often-you-should-exfoliate-your-face
16. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation
17. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/exfoliation