EXFOLIATE FOR EXCEPTIONAL SKIN
If left on the body, dead skin cells flake, dry and peel quickly, so the best way to keep skin looking smooth, vital and evenly colored is to scrub away those dead cells with a shower scrub.
MAKE YOUR OWN
For a super-smoothing skin exfoliant, massage a handful of Epsom salts with a tablespoon of olive oil over wet skin to cleanse, exfoliate and soften the rough spots. Rinse off well for a polished finish.
EXFOLIATE WITH CARE
Don’t be tempted to rub too hard or use a too-grainy exfoliant on your face. Instead, choose small-grained products and keep it to once a week. If your skin looks red or patchy, you’ve gone too far.
BE AVOCADO FAIR
For a natural exfoliant, grate an avocado stone with a small grater and add it to a little yogurt, cream or avocado flesh. Use the mixture to polish the skin, then rinse off.
BRUSH AND GO
If your lips are seriously dry or flaky, apply a little lip balm and brush them with a soft, dry toothbrush to boost circulation and remove all the dead skin cells while working the moisturizer into the deeper levels of your skin.
TINGLE AWAY
Generally, tingling after exfoliation means you’ve used too harsh a product, but it is natural to tingle for up to 15 minutes after using alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids to exfoliate because of their chemical effect.
SHIELD IN THE SUN
Newly exfoliated skin is more prone to sun damage, so apply a sun block after exfoliating if you’re going to be exposed.
RUB AWAY ROUGH ELBOWS
If your elbows are very dry, put a small amount of foot exfoliator in the palm of your hand and rub in circular motions. This will be too harsh for the skin of your arms, but works a treat to lift off excess elbow skin.
STAY NATURAL WITH SALT
Salt is nature’s own favorite exfoliator. Not only do the sharp grains help you exfoliate skin gently and without trauma, the natural healing and antiseptic qualities help your skin stay smooth, supple and problem free.
FACE FACTS WEEKLY
On your face, you should exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells. This will not only make your skin look fresher and more radiant, but also helps your products penetrate deeper into the epidermis, making them more effective.
STOP INGROWERS
Regular exfoliation has been shown to help prevent ingrown hairs and promote smoother skin as the skin ‘gets used’ to regenerating itself in response to the upper layers being removed efficiently.
DON’T MIX FACE AND BODY
Don’t be tempted to use body exfoliators on facial skin, because products designed for the body are likely to be harsher and could be too abrasive for your face, resulting in irritation.
DON’T FORGET BUTTOCKS
It might not be the first thing people see about you, but don’t neglect the skin of your buttocks, which can be prone to pimples and cellulite, if left untended. Use a bath mitt or puff to gently exfoliate in the bath or shower.
VOTE VOLCANIC
Some exfoliating cleansers contain as much as 25 per cent ground volcanic rock. These are good for oily skin because they dry up oil without stripping too much out of the skin and causing a rebound effect.
MOISTURIZE ALL THE WAY
If you exfoliate regularly, you should always use moisturizer on your face because the regular exfoliation could lead to skin drying up more easily as a result of having fewer layers. You should use it even on the days you’re not exfoliating for best results.
EXFOLIATE BUMPS
It’s not just your face that needs exfoliating – skin bumps on legs can occur as a result of ingrown hairs. To avoid them, exfoliate legs regularly with a grainy scrub in the shower, then apply moisturizer.
GO GENTLY
Overly vigorous exfoliating can break the tiny blood vessels under your skin, causing thread veins and redness to appear, especially on the delicate skin around the cheeks, eyes and neck. Be gentle and avoid exfoliators with natural grains, which are more abrasive than synthetics.
GIVE NATURE A HAND
Every 24 hours, we lose an astounding 10 billion cells from the skin’s surface, though as we age our skin cells take longer to renew. Exfoliating once a week or more helps boost this natural process, preventing blemishes and dull skin caused by the build-up of dead skin cells and revealing a clearer complexion.
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