Why You Should Consider Incorporating An Exfoliant Into Your Skin Care Routine

What is exfoliation? Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. When you exfoliate, you are also clearing away dirt and debris that can build up and clog pores. An exfoliant is the most important component of your skin care routine. When most people think about exfoliation, they think of washes with abrasive beads being rubbed into the skin. However, there are actually a couple different types of exfoliants. One of these is a chemical exfoliant. These are acid-based products that are applied and left on the skin for a specified period of time. These exfoliants include ingredients like Glycolic Acid, AHAs and BHA, and enzymes such as Pumpkin, Papaya, and Pineapple. These key ingredients work together to physical dissolve the dead cells on the skin's surface. Check out our Eminence Almond & Mineral Treatment for an example of one of our most popular chemical exfoliant products. The Almond & Mineral Treatment actually contains paprika, which creates a highly stimulating effect on application. The Eminence Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% is another popular chemical exfoliant that we offer. The more well-known type of exfoliant is known as a physical exfoliant. This is the one that probably comes to mind when you picture exfoliation. These are facial scrubs that are typically applied using a brush, sponge, or your fingertips. Some products may contain small beads that have a mildly abrasive surface. Our Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant is an extremely popular physical exfoliant that smells absolutely delicious! Our Eminence Citrus Exfoliating Wash is also quite popular, as it allows you to cleanse and exfoliate in one step! You can alternate using chemical and physical exfoliants in your routine to increase results. Here at eminenstore.com, we do recommend that you exfoliate no more than 1-3 times per week, to avoid over stimulation and irritation. Since your skin renews and regenerates itself every night, exfoliation in the morning is preferred. Make sure you remove all makeup and cleanse your skin well before exfoliation, in order to see the best results. I understand how to exfoliate, but why is it so beneficial? Why does it matter? Up until age 25, our skin is shedding and regenerating itself every 30 days. With each cycle, our skin is left looking health, revitalized, and radiant. As we age, this process of cell regeneration is slowed down. We are not shedding skin cells and generating new ones as quickly anymore. When old skin cells, dirt, and debris pile up on the surface of the skin, it can leave the skin looking dull, rough, and dry. The build-up of dead skin cells can also result in excess oil and clogged pores, which will lead to blemishes and acne. You should be working hand-in-hand with your esthetician to create a skin care routine that is right for you. By incorporating an exfoliant, you will be well on your way to fresh and healthy skin! When you exfoliate, you are sloughing away the dead skin cells that are clogging the skin and making room for fresh new skin cells underneath. This also makes the skin more receptive to moisturizers applied after exfoliation, allowing them to penetrate deeper and making them more effective overall. Remember, order is just as important as the products in your skin care routine: Cleanser, Toner, Exfoliant, Serum, Moisturizer! We will touch more on this in the next blog post.