A good buff is always appreciated. And when it gives you that non-textured, deeply-lit glow, things just get more tempting! Exfoliation is needed, but more importantly, it needs to be done correctly. If your scrub leaves you with signs of redness, itchiness, dryness, or breakouts, then it’s a big no-no! We talked to many pros, and they revealed that the common exfoliating mistakes might rob your canvas of healthy oils and enzymes and instead invite more problems. So we have put together a few tips and tricks to keep your face flake-free. Take notes!
Common Exfoliating Mistakes | Are You Making The Same Mistakes As Everyone Else?
What? Didn’t you know there was a correct way to exfoliate? Welcome to the club! Most of us are unaware of the dullness and dryness of our skin, even when we layering it with tonnes of products day and night. On top of that, when you load it with makeup, the little chance of revealing that luster is gone! So, are you even peeling your face and scrubbing your body correctly? Given below are all the rules you need to know about Exfoliation 101!
- Not cleansing before exfoliating.
If you are too lazy and think you do not have to cleanse your skin because you will exfoliate it anyway, take a step back! This extra step of cleansing your body or face preps your skin beforehand, helps amp up the entire exfoliation process, and gives your base a fresh start. Exfoliation is usually harder on your skin. It focuses on cleaning the debris stuck in the deeper layer of your skin, but that will only happen when you remove the surface-level dirt and makeup with cleansing.
- Not exfoliating enough
Do you remember the last time you exfoliated? You might be spending a lot of time in the bathroom, but if you are not using that time to slough off the dead cells, it is a primary reason why your skin looks dull on all the crucial days of your calendar! Skipping out on your exfoliation ritual will cause all kinds of dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells to build up and clog your pores, further leading to blackheads and breakouts.
Scrubbing your skin daily ensures better blood stimulation and collagen production, which keeps the skin tight, plump, and sculpted. What you can do to pamper your skin in the right way is, first, be aware of your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, you can exfoliate 1 to 2 times a week. If you have normal to dry skin, exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week will prevent the accumulation of dead cells, and if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can go up to 3 to 4 times.
- Exfoliating too often
Anything in excess is bad. Period! When you exfoliate daily, your body might be angry with you because of all the redness, itchiness, or irritation that comes with it. People with oily skin might need to feel clean daily because their skin produces more sebum, which tends to feel greasy as the day advances. So, if you are exfoliating too much, you must stop! This might disrupt your skin’s protective barrier and strip it of its natural moisture. Our skin is delicate, and going overboard with different scrubs or frequent sessions, will only confuse it and steal away the essential suppleness.
- Using the wrong exfoliant
Your skin will only regret it later if you are too aggressive while scrubbing. If your favorite scrub is too harsh on your skin that it leaves behind redness, it might cause your delicate base to shatter and break out. Make sure the exfoliant you use has gentle ingredients, like alpha hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes, that will give you a refreshing purifying action.
This goes for both physical and chemical ones. Prevent scrubs from having drying alcohols or other harsh ingredients in them, as they can act as a skin irritant. If you prepare a DIY exfoliant for your skin, go for elements like sugar, coconut oil, and coffee powder. Prevent using walnut powder, as it might be too much.
- Not moisturizing post exfoliation
Exfoliation will only benefit your skin if you follow it up with a soulful, thirst-quenching moisturization. After your skin has been made clear of all the build-up, it is prone to sensitivity easily. So if you do not replenish your canvas with nourishing creams that give it some TLC, your skin will lose its moisture and feel like a desert! Slatheirgn your skin with moisturizers and lotions to fulfill your hydration needs so that you appear glowing and healthy like you are supposed to be! This pampers your freshly cleaned pores and makes your skin cushion-soft!
- You’re Not Exfoliating All Over
Do you only exfoliate those parts of your body that feel nasty and grimy? Dirt and grime do not discriminate and attach themselves all over your body. There is no such thing that you only need to exfoliate your face because it is most exposed while other body parts are covered. So whenever you hit the bathroom, to give yourself a good cleansing action, target every nook and corner of your body so that the dead cells are shed from everywhere. Put more emphasis on places like your shy elbows, knees, ankles, and behind your ears.
Closure
Making your skin over-stripped won’t help, nor will keeping exfoliants away from your skin because of the danger of inviting harm. So, what do you do? The answer to your dilemma is you find a balance! The dirt from our body needs to be swept off, and a physical or chemical peel containing soothing natural ingredients is your best bet. So stop giving trauma to your skin, and start making things right ASAP!
I’m Sarah Abraham, the founder and co-author of Blushastic.com and a professional makeup artist. Beauty is more than just skin deep, and that’s why I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience to help people feel confident and beautiful on the inside and out.
Whether it’s skincare, haircare, or fashion, my goal is to empower women to feel their best. With my expertise in the beauty industry, I strive to provide practical advice and tips that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level or budget.