While most people know about cleaning, moisturizing and even sunscreen, exfoliation seems to be an overlooked regimen in skin care at home. Exfoliation is the skin’s natural process of removing dead skin cells to reveal the healthy, glowing fresh skin cells beneath. The exterior skin cells become dry, scaly and non-functional as they die.
As we age the process of exfoliation through begins to slow. By the time we reach the ripe old age of 25 that process has doubled in time. What once took 30 days now takes 60.
So the new skin cells that were revealed after 30 days when we were 20 now takes 60 days to come to the surface, making our faces duller, dryer and definitely looking our age.
But we have options to improve the natural process by using an exfoliation to help the skin shed the dead cells.
There are two types of exfoliation of the facial skin. One is chemical and the other is physical.
Chemical exfoliation products often contain a form of mild acid such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. These work to slough off the outer layer of the skin. They come in different strengths over the counter or as a prescription. They can be used alone or in combination with a physical exfoliation product.
Before combining these products on your own check with your dermatologist because combinations can cause damage to the outer layer of skin that can result in red, damaged and burned skin. Some products are delivered as combination products, which have been tested and are approved to use on skin. But combining your own over the counter products on your own can result in disaster.
