What is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the removal of the outer layer of dead skin dry skin from the surface of your healthy outer layer of skin. This an important process in both your facial and body skin care regiment.  When you have finished it should leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and and softer. I also recommend applying a moisturizer after you have exfoliated.

Types of exoliants:

Sea Salt works well for removing dead skin cells, dirt, and germs from the surface of the skin. It also makes a great bath soak.

Sugar is a great mild exfoliant and tends to work a little better then salt scrub for people with sensitive skin. Scrub scrubs are also great to use before or after shaving as they wont burn the way a salt scrub sometimes can.

Coffee Grounds the caffeine as well as some antioxidants that are in coffee are said to be beneficial to the skin.  This is another exfoliant that is not overly abrasive.

Oatmeal is very mild to even the most sensitive skin. It is said to be very calming and soothing to many kinds of skin conditions.  This exfoliant is gentle enough to use on you face or body.

There are many more natural exfoliants out there like luffa, pumice, ground nuts and seeds, jojoba beads, and clays. You can also use exfoliation brushes and sponges before you get in the shower which work great.

For your Face:

It’s important to remember to choose a mild exfoliant for your face, because it is possible to over exfoliate and cause irritation especially if you use something that is too abrasive.   I never recommend using a sugar or salt scrub on your face, but rather a very gentle exfoliant with oatmeal, clays,  or finely ground seeds.  After selecting a scrub begin by using delicate circular motions around your entire face and neck, avoiding your eyes. It’s important to use caution as you exfoliate your face as the skin is very delicate.

For Your Body:

When choosing a scrub for your body I think it is important to look for all natural ingredients.  Next decide what type of skin you have so you can choose what type of exfoliant would best suite your needs.  Lastly pick a scrub that has some nice good quality oils in it that will help moisturize you skin, and remember the tub can be slippery so be careful!

For Your Feet:

For extra rough skin like your feet you can always use a body scrub, but sometime you need something that is a little more abrasive. The bigger the granuale in the scrub you get the more abrasvie it will be.  Another great thing to use on your feet is a pumice stone, you can use this before you exfoliate.    You can also use a scrub with coursely ground nuts, pumice, or luffa for some extra exfoliation. Followed this by a nice moisturizing lotion.

I hope these ways to exfoliate give you some great ideas on how to get you skin out of those winter blues and ready for spring!