Exfoliation is a key part of every skincare regime, and during winter you may find yourself reaching for your exfoliator a little more regularly. Most of us struggle with dry skin at some point or another, and exfoliating is a key part of managing the problem.
Our skin cells turn over monthly. During the process, our skin sloughs off older cells to be replaced by new ones. Sometimes these dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, leading to a rough texture, uneven tone, breakouts and dullness.
Exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin cells that accumulate on the top layer of the skin. Not only does this help keep pores clear and skin flake-free, but it also brightens skin and allows products to penetrate the skin more easily. Regular exfoliation leads to clearer, brighter and softer skin.
Exfoliating is a pretty simple task, however, there are a couple of essential do’s and don’ts that will ensure you get the most your of your body scrub.
Do’s
Use gentle circular movements
Slow and gentle movements are key to sloughing off dead skin cells without hurting or irritating the skin. Start at your feet and work your way up. To aid lymphatic drainage, exfoliate with gentle circular movements in the direction of your heart.
Follow exfoliation with moisturisation
Skin can feel a little tight or dry after exfoliating, and this is completely normal. Always apply a nourishing body lotion or body butter after using your scrub to soothe and hydrate your skin. Exfoliating removes the dry skin cells off the top layer of skin, which allows your body butter to penetrate better.
Some of our favourite formulas this winter include:
Dove Rich Care Body Cream for Dry Skin (R99.95) – if you love a rich body butter texture, this is the product for you. Fast-absorbing and nourishing, it helps to transform even the driest of skins by means of a Ceramide Restoring Serum in the formula. This unique blend of ingredients work with the body to help the skin produce ceramides, which in turn strengthens the skin’s barrier function and prevents moisture loss.
Bramley Shea Butter Tissue Oil (from R29.99) – if you love an oil consistency, then we recommend you try one of Bramley’s much-loved tissue oils. Did you know they’re the number one selling tissue oil in SA? We love the Shea Butter variant for its rich and nutty scent. It contains Bramley’s signature Bio-pharm oil and vitamin E oil to intensely moisturise the skin. Plus, it’s non-greasy, so you can reap the benefits of an oil without a sticky or oily residue on your skin.
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Calm (R264.95) – if your skin is ultra dry and a balm consistency feels most nourishing, then this is the one you’ve got to try. Clinically proven to support skin regeneration, this water-free ointment creates the ideal environment to support the recovery process of dry, damaged or irritated skin.
Always choose a sugar scrub
Have you ever had to choose between a sugar crystal and salt crystal scrub? It’s important to always choose a sugar scrub – sugar crystals are round, meaning they glide across the skin effortlessly, removing dead skin cells without causing any harm. Salt crystals, on the other hand, have jagged edges which make them rougher on the skin, sometimes leading to micro-tears.
Tree Hut Sugar Scrubs not only smell incredible, but they are filled with sugar crystals, shea butter and other skin-loving natural ingredients chosen for their nourishing properties. They are formulated without parabens, sulphates and other harmful chemical ingredients. We adore this Papaya Paradise variant – the juicy scent of papaya fills the whole bathroom and transports you to an island paradise.
Don’ts
Don’t scrub too hard
It might be tempting to give your skin a really good, hard scrub from time to time, but if you scrub too hard it could lead to micro-tears in the skin, making it vulnerable to infection. Plus, scrubbing too vigorously may lead to sensitivity and redness. Err on the side of caution and use gentle movements instead.
Don’t exfoliate too regularly
There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should exfoliate, but experts recommend once a week if your skin is sensitive, or twice a week if not. Over-exfoliating can be damaging to the skin’s barrier function and may aggravate or cause sensitivity.
Don’t exfoliate irritated skin
Is your skin sunburnt or red? Do you struggle with itchy eczema or dermatitis? Don’t reach for your exfoliator if your skin is irritable, as you may be doing more harm than good. Chat to your skincare therapist or medical practitioner first to determine a regime suitable for your needs.
