What To Look For When Choosing Skin Exfoliators For Your Skin

Do you exfoliate your skin? If not, you’d better start! Exfoliating your skin has fantastic benefits that can leave you looking even better from head to toe.

When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells. This is important because you need to slough them off so they don’t mix with the sebum on your skin and clog pores. As you know, clogged pores lead to breakouts.

Exfoliating also improves skin circulation which, in turn, reveals brighter skin thanks to healthier cell turnover. Adding exfoliation to your skincare regimen also allows your moisturizers and serums to absorb better so they deliver the results you desire.

You can use exfoliating tools or exfoliating products, or a combination of both. What you choose depends on your skin type. Here’s a rundown of what to look for when it comes to exfoliating your skin type.

Dry Skin

While exfoliation is important for all skin types, it’s even more so for dry, flaky skin. You don’t want to use exfoliating brushes, sponges, or gloves, or use exfoliating scrubs. They can all be too abrasive for your skin type. Instead, use a formula with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) like glycolic acid. This helps remove dead skin cells on the surface and promote healthy skin cell turnover. Don’t forget using SPF moisturizer during the day as glycolic acid causes skin to be more susceptible to sun damage.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin shouldn’t use abrasive exfoliating techniques either. Instead, choose a mild chemical exfoliator. Apply it with a clean, soft washcloth. Salicylic acid is ideal for those with breakouts.

Oily Skin

Oily skin does very well with more abrasive forms of exfoliation. Don’t scrub too hard though! The key is to gently polish the skin, not tear it off! Gentle, circular motions are best.

Normal Skin

If you’re blessed with normal skin, any form of exfoliation will do. A combination of both abrasive and chemical exfoliators might prove best. You have the luxury of choice to find what makes your skin feel amazing.  

Combination Skin

With combination skin, you can use both types of exfoliation, though it’s best to never mix them on the same day.

With all skin types, it’s important to hydrate skin after exfoliation. However, it depends on your skin type as to how often you should be doing it. As a general rule of thumb, you should exfoliate once or twice a week for dry skin.

Oily skin requires a bit more exfoliation though, around three times per week. No skin should be over-exfoliated though so take care to see how your skin looks and feels post-exfoliation. When skin looks dull, it’s a good bet that you can get exfoliating again.

If you have a skin condition like rosacea though, dermatologists advise against exfoliation. For skin concerns that go a bit deeper, consult with your dermatologist first before going full-scrub ahead!

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Jennifer Raskin is a freelance writer, wife and mom that loves cold weather despite her location in Florida, cooking, reading, watching ‘80s movies, weight-lifting, and wine tasting.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.