When it comes to skin care, we try to do everything possible to maintain great skin and to keep ourselves looking young for as long as possible. We cleanse, we moisturize, we apply anti aging creams, day creams and night creams and choose cosmetics carefully, but, one crucial step in the skin care regimen is often overlooked by many people and that is exfoliation.
The process of exfoliation is not a new thing. Egyptians latched onto the concept millennia ago, Asians have been doing it for centuries and it was popular in the Middle ages and various natural ingredients have been used to create exfoliants throughout history.
Basically, this process eliminates the oldest dead skin cells from the skins outer surface to reveal fresh, glowing skin free of impurities. Today, salons and spas widely use exfoliants during facials through microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Unfortunately, not all exfoliants are created with natural ingredients like they were years ago. Today, some products on the market may have ingredients in them, that do more harm to the skin than good. Some harmful ingredients that you should look out for are:
1) Alcohol
2) Acetone
3) Alpha Hydroxy Acid
4) Benzoyle Peroxide
5) Elastin
6) Zonc Stearate
There are many natural exfoliants on the market to chose from and they are available everywhere, not just in specialty stores. Some natural ingredients to look out for include:
1) Buttermilk Powder
2) Rose Clay
3) Jojoba Wax Beads
4) Coral Calcium powder
5) Vanilla Bean
6) Fruit Fibers
You can also make your own at home with the above ingredients and many other natural ingredients. There are mild and strong exfoliants and the one that is best for you depends on your skin type. Typically, a mild one is best for very dry or sensitive skin, while a stronger one is best for oily skin. It is best to check with a professional such as a spa employee or dermatologist to see which type is best for you. There are many natural skin care products that will do the job effectively.
There are many advantages to exfoliating your skin such as unclogging of pores and sloughing away of rough dead skin. Although the process is a must in any skin care regimen, it is important to know that there can be disadvantages as well if a product is overused or the process is applied to often. Some are safe to use everyday while others are only to be used once a week so it is important to check the label.
Some of these disadvantages are breakouts, redness and itchy, flaking skin. It can also cause skin to look uneven and blotchy and you may experience a burning sensation. The best way to eliminate these effects is to follow the labels on products, only use natural ingredients and do not exfoliate too often. If you find yourself experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is best to apply a mild natural moisturizer, such as olive oil, and discontinue using the product until the skin is cleared or find another less harsher product to use.