It’s one of those things that women have long been misinformed about, so it’s no wonder that when it comes to exfoliating, many of us still have a few things to learn to get it right. With such an impactful skincare step at your service, we are here to help you discover how your skin really wants to be exfoliated.
EXFOLIATING MYTHS
Myth 1: Exfoliating the face and the body is the same
We get it—you’ve got a body scrub you can’t get enough of, and you think perhaps it can also work its magic on your face. At our apothecary in BC, we often have customers ask, ‘Can I use the body scrub on my face?’ Our answer is definitely not, and here is why
- Body scrubs are grittier and harsher, designed for heavy lifting on your heels
- Body scrubs are oilier for a deep moisturizing effect
Together, that means exfoliants designed for the body have a level of grit and oiliness that’s too intense for the face.
What kind of exfoliant is best for your face? Look for:
- Fine particles that are perfectly round for a soft feel and polished look (jagged will be abrasive and cause redness).
- Plant-based materials such as clay because their extremely fine particles slough off dead skin in the most gentle way possible. Plus, those plastic microbeads should be kept out of the water system.
TRY: COCOA COFFEE EXFOLIATING DUST for Face
A blend of cleansing clays, energizing coffee dust and antioxidant-rich vanilla, this is the exfoliant your face is craving to reveal skin that’s smoother and more radiant.
TRY: DRY BRUSH for Body
This is your fast ticket to luminous skin. Our dry brush unclogs pores and sends dry flakes packing. It’s also brilliant at stimulating blood circulation to give you that just-walked-the-dog glow.
Myth 2: Oily or breakout prone skin needs extra scrubbing
Growing up many of us were trained to think that if you have skin issues, scrubbing and scrubbing harder is the way to achieve clear pores. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
When you have acne-prone skin, exfoliating strips away your skin’s natural barriers, and actually triggers your skin to over-produce oil. Soon, you’re in a cycle of more oiliness and more scrubbing and more oiliness and more scrubbing. And when you over-exfoliate, you also put your skin at risk of increasing sensitivity and redness.
How should you exfoliate if you suffer from breakouts?
- Small circular motions with a wet washcloth
Myth 3: If you have sensitive skin, you shouldn’t exfoliate
You certainly wouldn’t want to over-exfoliate if you have sensitive skin, but exfoliating gently once a week can actually bring your skin the soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients (from your moisturizer) to a deeper level (rather than just sitting on the surface).
Exfoliating doesn’t deplete your natural moisture levels—it reveals the next layer of fresh skin so it’s an important step, but one that has to be done correctly according to your skin type. It’s also really important to use a gentle but powerful moisturizer immediately after exfoliating so your skin feels plump and dewy rather than tight and itchy.
TRY: PURE + CALM INFUSION PERFECTING FACE ELIXIR & ROSEHIP + BLACK CUMIN PERFECTING FACE OIL
Freshly exfoliated skin benefits most from the deep nourishment of herbal extracts designed to soothe, hydrate and protect. These two make the perfect pair for skin tranquility.
WHAT WAYS OF EXFOLIATING ARE THERE?
There are two types of exfoliants:
- Chemical exfoliants, such as plant-derived alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), an enzyme that causes a chemical reaction and dissolves dead skin
- Physical exfoliants that use textures or small grains moved with the fingers to slough off dead skin
You might be thinking that the chemical option sounds harsher, but it’s actually the better option for women with sensitive skin. That’s because it’s a little more controlled than physically applying an abrasive texture, which can accidentally lead to over-scrubbing. With an AHA exfoliant, however, you simply apply the mask and let it do its work to dissolve dead skin. You just can’t overdo that one, so it’s a gentle yet effective way to go for those with sensitive skin.
TRY: SUPERFRUIT AHA BRIGHTENING MASK
Natural alpha hydroxy acid gently reveals fresh new skin cells. Plus the exotic Babassu oil brings deep hydration for the ultimate skin rejuvenation.
WHAT IS A GOOD EXFOLIATING ROUTINE?
This is a great question, but it really does depending on your skin, the type of exfoliant you’re using and the season. Here is what we recommend:
- Once a week if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin
- One-two times a week if your skin can handle it
- In winter, when your skin is drier, exfoliate regularly to let serums penetrate deeper
- In summer, avoid exfoliate less so your skin is less at risk of sunburn
- Exfoliate regularly instead of waiting until you see dry, flaky skin; being proactive will let you take care of your skin to keep it hydrated and healthy
Learn how you can give your entire routine a refresh in our article Refreshing Your Skincare Routine for the New Year.
FIND THE PRODUCTS YOUR SKIN NEEDS AND YOUR HEART LOVES. SHOP OM ORGANICS LINE OF PLANT-BASED CRAFTED-WITH-CARE MASKS, SCRUBS, SERUMS, MOISTURIZERS AND MORE SO YOU CAN GET THAT GLOW AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.