Exfoliation – An Essential Step In Your Skin Care Regimen

One of the key steps of skin care routine is exfoliation. It involves scraping off the dead skin cells from the surface to reveal the fresh new cells from underneath.

The skin cells start in the dermis layer and with time move through five layers of your skin before they reach the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. When they reach the surface they become hard and lose moisture. This is how the layer of dead skin cells are built on the surface which further gives rise to a variety of skin problems unless removed.

Forms of Exfoliation

There are typically two forms of exfoliation – Mechanical exfoliation and Chemical exfoliation.

Mechanical Exfoliation

This process involves manual scrubbing off of the dead cells from the skin surface using an abrasive scrub. Make sure to use a scrub that contains extra fine particles in order to prevent scratching of the skin. Mechanical exfoliation helps to extract the toxins and debris that clog the skin pores and make the skin smooth and soft. It also improves the skin's ability to retain moisture and stimulates blood circulation. However, this method is not advisable for people with sensitive and acne prone skin as it may lead to the spreading of acne causing bacteria to other skin cells.

Product Suggestions:

Nia 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub
This is a powerful scrub that effectively removes dead skin cells and calms, hydrates as well as soothes the skin. It contains Pro-Niasomes wash away visible imperfections caused by the sun and aging. The delivery system actually penetrates the epidermis to achieve maximum results. Physical Cleansing Scrub is non-comedogenic, fragrance and color free.

Chemical Exfoliation

This method involves the use of chemical ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids, Retinol and Enzymes to dissolve the intercellular glue that holds the dead skin cells together and thus remove them from the skin surface.

Here are some common ingredients of chemical exfoliation:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids
They are naturally occurring water soluble acids that remove dead skin cells. Some of the commonly used AHAs are lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. They reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and improve sun damaged skin. Moreover, they accelerate the cellular turnover and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin fibers within the skin cells. AHAs are considered as powerful anti aging ingredients and are best for mature skin. However, make sure that you apply sunscreens while using AHA-based products because they tend to increase the skin's susceptibility to sun damage.

Beta Hydroxy Acids
They are oil-soluble ingredients that penetrate through the skin pores containing oil and exfoliate the dead skin cells within. This is why beta hydroxy acids are better for treating blackheads and whiteheads as compared to alpha hydroxy acids. Salicylic acid is a popular BHA that is extensively used in acne skin care systems

Retinol
Derived from Vitamin A, Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that helps to prevent collagen breakdown within the skin cells and reduce the effects of premature aging. It increases the skin turnover ratio and also has anti-acneic properties. Because of its highly active nature, Retinol based exfoliants are best used at night. If you are using it during the day make sure you wear an SPF because of the increased skin susceptibility to sun damage. Retinol should be strictly avoided during pregnancy.

Product Suggestions:

Obagi Nu Derm Exfoderm Forte
This is a superb exfoliating lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acids in a special base that smooths and tones damaged skin. It is suitable for normal to oily skin. It also accelerates the absorption of treatment ingredients of the system by the skin.

Obagi Nu-Derm Exfoderm
This exfoliating lotion contains phytic acid that makes the skin smooth and supple and also tones the skin texture. It is suitable for normal to dry skin.

Naomi Andrews is a reputed skin care expert and beauty counselor. She opened up a medical spa in Maui in 2005 and ran it for 3 years until she moved to San Diego. She has worked with several skin care products brands like Obagi, La Roche Posay and many others.