Sunday, November 2, 2008

Exfoliators: What Do They Do?

By Andi Bradshaw

Exfoliating should be a consistent part of your skin care routine, if you want to get the best results from your skin care products and moisturizers. Healthier, smoother looking skin will help keep you looking younger than your age. That may not be such a good idea if you're fifteen, but for those of us who are over 30 or 35, well...

Also called scrubs, exfoliators are designed to "scrub" away dry or dead skin cells. Made of dried fruits, nuts, sugars, salts, and/or grains (i.e. oats, wheat, etc.), grasses and flowers, these items are finely ground for the face and coarsely ground for the body. These ground particles are added to creams, lotions, oils as well as liquid and compressed (bar) soaps.

Why Do I Need An Exfoliator?

For your natural oils to surface so that you have polished looking skin, you will need an exfoliator to remove your dead skin cells. If not, those dead cells will restrict hair growth and the release of oil, and may cause infection. An exfoliator will prevent that.

If you want your skin to look polished and if you want the natural oils that your skin produces to surface, then you need to exfoliate. That's the best way to remove dead skin cells and help your skin stay smooth and soft. Men get an exfoliating effect from shaving however the top of their faces would get a positive result from a weekly facial scrub.

What Do They Do?

The scrubbing granules are much smaller for the face, so they won't irritate or enlarge the pores. When exfoliators are used properly, the tiny granules polish the skin by lifting and removing the dead skin cells that prevent natural oils from surfacing. When your natural oils are blocked from the surface, you get clogged pores which can develop into white heads and if the pore becomesinfected with bacteria it can develop into acne, particularly on your back or shoulders where your skin is dryer.

How do I use Facial Exfoliators?

If your skin type is combination, a lotion exfoliator will work best; for dry skin, cream based products are more effective; if you have sensitive skin, look for a baking soda based scrub, they're more gentle and for those with oily skin, gel based products work best for you. While your face is still wet, place a teaspoon of your exfoliator on your wet face cloth.

Gently scrub in a circular motion; all over your face and throat for about 30 seconds. Rinse your cloth thoroughly, and use it to rinse/wipe away the exfoliating grains. Use a clean towel to pat your face dry and then complete with the application of your toner, eye treatment and your moisturizers.

Those new to exfoliators often believe that using the product more often or longer will give better results. Wrong! These products have been tested by their developers to determine how to get the best results. You don't want your outcome to be extremely dry skin, so use twice weekly, follow directions for time and you'll get the best results from your home facial treatment. - 16004

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