My passion for exfoliation, especially facial exfoliation, is simply based on exfoliation’s global benefits for facial rejuvenation, prevention and control of acne breakouts… and… its potential to reduce certain precancerous growths.
While I believe that gentle chemical exfoliation consistently produces better results than physical exfoliation, both are important, and today’s episode discusses three at home, low tech, simple and easy physical exfoliation alternatives to chemical exfoliation.
First and most basic is gentle facial message with a loofah type sponge, or even just a washcloth. Try circular motions with gentle pressure for a few minutes. Lubrication with a gentle cleanser will help avoid irritation. As with all types of physical exfoliation, the degree of exfoliation will be directly proportional to how long you do it, how much pressure you apply and how abrasive the exfoliating instrument is, so go easy and don’t over do it. Please remember that if a little is good, more isn’t necessarily better.
Next, try using a cleanser with exfoliating granules, but make sure you choose one with round or smooth granules, not one with sharp, hard or angular particles like crushed nut shells, which can be too sharp and abrasive and actually damage your skin. This product, the Garnier Expert Exfoliator Exfoliating Gel, caught my eye as I was looking at granular cleansers because while the exfoliating granules are from the jojoba plant, they’re round so they’re more apt to be gentle with less potential to irritate. Other products to look for are granular cleansers with polyethylene beads which are also round and smooth, such as in this Neutrogena product, Acne Stress Control.
And last, but not for the faint of heart, let’s talk about...
...shaving.
After you shave your legs don’t you just love how soft and smooth they feel? It’s not just from removing the hair that they feel that way. It’s also because the razor has exfoliated your skin, making the skin surface smoother. These are such good friends for your legs. Why can't they be a good friend for your face? So on the same note, why not consider gently shaving the skin on your face! You can use the same razor and cream you use for your legs in the shower, and in fact, shaving in the shower is even more gentle. AND… if you have any facial hair, not to worry… shaving doesn’t make the hair thicker, coarser or grow any faster, and if you need some reassurance there are a bunch of DermTV episodes explaining it.
So the next time you leave your regular glycolic exfoliant at home when you’re traveling, to maintain your lustrous, smooth facial skin, try one of these simple techniques.
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