Exfoliators: Why Are They Necessary?

By Andi Bradshaw · Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
by Andi Bradshaw

At any age, a woman wants her skin to look as good as possible. Exfoliators and masks help your skin do just that. They are both necessary because they do two different things. Exfoliators scrub and invigorate, while facial masks calm and soothe the skin.

The earlier you consistently include these items in your skin care routine, the more effective your moisturizer will be. This translates to your skin looking healthier and smoother as well as looking younger than you actually are. If you’re fifteen, that may not be such an encouraging thought, but if you’re thirty, forty or fifty

Why Do I Need Exfoliators?

Exfoliators are needed because every 25 days, your skin renews itself and without an exfoliator, any un-removed dead cells can accumulate and result in white heads or hair bumps. If either becomes infected, you have the beginning stage of acne, particularly on your shoulders or back where the skin is dryer. The body requires larger scrubbing particles, which won’t harm or scratch the skin unless used with more than usual pressure.

Exfoliating is necessary for polishing and allowing the skins natural oils to surface from beneath those dead cells; thereby keeping the skin soft and smooth. Exfoliators should be used by men and women. Most men regularly remove or exfoliate the dead skin on the lower halves of their faces – while shaving. So, the top half could benefit from weekly exfoliating.

What Do They Do?

Exfoliators polish and remove the dead cells that prevent your natural oils (that the skin produces) from coming to the surface. With proper use, facial exfoliators also polish the skin which, along with your natural oil, is needed for keeping the skin smooth and soft. Facial exfoliators are purposely designed to clean out pores without enlarging or irritating them.

How Do I Use Exfoliators?

If you have dry skin, you can use the oil based scrubs and oily skin should use the gel based products. Combination skin can use the lotion types and sensitive skin should use the mildest or baking soda based scrubs. After cleansing and while your skin is still wet, apply about a teaspoon of your exfoliator to a clean, wet wash cloth.

For about 30 seconds, gently scrub in circular motions around your face and neck. Rinse well to remove all grains and pat dry with a clean towel. Finish with your toner, gel or cream for the eye area and facial moisturizers.

Those new to exfoliators often believe that using the product more often or longer will give better results. Wrong! These products have been tested by their developers to determine how to get the best results. You don’t want your outcome to be extremely dry skin, so use twice weekly, follow directions for time and you’ll get the best results from your home facial treatment.

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