Exfoliation: Part 1 | Exfoliation 101

June 22, 2019

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Written by Courtney Broder

Exfoliation: Part 1 | Exfoliation 101 - Harben House

June 22, 2019

·

Written by Courtney Broder

Exfoliation: What is it?

Exfoliation is an essential part of all skincare routines. However, most skin types cannot tolerate all types of exfoliating. We are going to break down the different exfoliation options available and which are best for various skin types. But first, lets talk about how, when, and why to exfoliate.

Chemical Exfoliation -HOW:

There are many different ways to exfoliate. The majority of exfoliating skincare will come in cleansers, masks, toners, and serums. Although exfoliating ingredients can be found in most skincare, these are the main skincare types used solely for exfoliation. It is important to understand if your exfoliator is a wash-off or leave-on product, so you do not cause over exfoliation or superficial burns. Also, be mindful which ingredients are in your skincare products, specifically these exfoliating ones, to ensure that you do not cause unnecessary irritation.

Face Exfoliation -WHEN:

A hot topic right now is when to exfoliate. Previously, most physicians and skincare specialists would recommend only exfoliating at night so that you were not susceptible to additional sun damage. Now, there are different exfoliants that are safe to use during the day because they are either encapsulated or have been proven to not cause sun sensitivity. Knowing which exfoliant you are using and if it is safe to use in your morning skincare routine is important as you don’t want to unknowingly cause harm while trying to do good. If you are unsure, it is best to stick with nighttime exfoliating skincare products.

Skin Exfoliation - WHY:

Maybe the most important question of them all, “What is the point of exfoliating?”. Well there are many reasons why, so let’s break them down:

Cell Turnover – Anti-aging is essentially the rate at which your cells turnover. Cellular turnover is an essential function of all skin cells. However, as we age, this cellular turnover slows down. Why does this matter? Cellular turnover is when dead skin cells make their way up to the surface of the skin and fall off, leaving room for new skin cells to form and eventually slough off as well. The cycle continues day after day. Although, as we get older, our body signals back to slow down fresh cell production due to the dead, top-most skin cells that have yet to be removed. Consequently, the theory is, if we physically or chemically remove these dead cells, the body will continue to send signals to make new fresh cells, which similarly makes our skin look new and fresh (or at least not show age as quickly).
Skincare Penetration- Another important reason to exfoliate is to aid in effective penetration of your skincare products. When your skin is covered in tough, old cells, they act as a physical barrier for absorption for all matter, especially skincare ingredients. The science and technology of skincare penetration continues to evolve because it is realized that minute changes in pH, molecular size, transportation systems, etc. can all impact the ingredient’s ability to break the skin barrier and cause a noticeable effect of the dermis. If you have a thick upper layer of skin on top of the epidermis, the chances that your products are getting to the desired destination is slim.
The Superficial Effect- One of the main reasons to exfoliate is to be able to immediately reveal a fresher side of your skin. The extra cell accumulation that happens on top of our skin can cause skin to look rough, tough, and aged. Simply exfoliating away this undesirable debris can almost immediately reveal a softer, fresher appearance to your facial skin.