There’s a lot to consider when it comes to the benefits of exfoliation and what it does for your skincare routine. You may have questions about how it works, whether it affects skin types differently, and ultimately, the secret to getting more radiant skin. So, what does exfoliation do? Well, it’s essentially like a face scrub. Exfoliation does wonders for the skin by helping to remove dead skin cells and mix of impurities on the surface that clog the pores and cause breakouts.
By exfoliating once or twice a week, it provides smoother, softer, brighter skin. It also helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and improve the texture of the skin. The process is a not-so-secret weapon that can be used on all skin types as a way to clean out the pores while preserving the skin’s protective barrier at the same time.
If you’re new to exfoliation or haven’t tried it in a while, our esthetician tips will help you get back on track. Adding it as a regular part of your skincare routine can instantly improve the condition of your skin and get you the healthy glow you’re looking for. Read on for the top exfoliation tips and tricks from Michelle, a Kate Somerville esthetician from our skincare clinic in Los Angeles, CA.
What to Do
Many people ask if you exfoliate or cleanse first. However, the answer is to always cleanse the face first with a mild cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, and then exfoliate. Cleansing the skin first allows you to work with a clean surface. While many exfoliating products are applied and removed quickly, we offer both daily leave-on treatments as well as our Super Facial that reveals smoother, brighter, pore perfected skin in just 2 minutes.
Our clinic perfected Liquid ExfoliKate® Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment is a product you can apply nightly and wake up to glowing skin. The blend of glycolic, malic, and lactic acids work together to exfoliate dead skin cells and smooth away surface dullness for a glowing complexion. It also refines the look of pores and helps to even out the skin tone.
Our ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment acts more like an exfoliating scrub, delivering chemical, physical, and enzymatic exfoliation to clear away dull, dry, and dead skin cells, revealing enhanced radiance, smoother texture, and visibly diminished pores.
Regardless of which product you use, be gentle with the skin and use circular motions rather than scrubbing or tugging at the skin when applying. After exfoliating, follow up with a hydrating product like our DermalQuench collection, followed by a treatment serum for specific skin concerns and the right moisturizer for your skin type.
What Not To Do
In order to keep your skin intact, one of the most important esthetician skincare recommendations is to avoid using active ingredients in combination. For example, don’t use retinol the same day or night that you exfoliate. This can cause inflammation or irritation and reduce the benefits of either skin treatment. In addition, use caution with the types of tools you use to exfoliate.
Over-exfoliation or the use of too many products can be abrasive on the skin and may cause it to react negatively. It leaves your skin feeling raw and exposed. You may experience rashes, inflammation, and increased skin sensitivity. Maintain an exfoliation schedule and opt for once or twice per week as a starting point to healthier skin.
Effective Ingredients for Each Skin Type
Exfoliation by skin type varies through the frequency and ingredients. This is because there are certain ingredients specifically used to treat each type of skin. Dry and normal skin benefit from glycolic acid. It helps to remove the outer layer of skin to reveal a brighter complexion. Using products that contain glycolic acid on dry skin two to three times a week will improve its texture and appearance.
Those who have oily skin respond well to salicylic acid, which refines pores and creates smoother-looking skin with a more even tone. Two to three times a week is the normal exfoliation regimen for oily skin as well. Skincare products that contain these ingredients maximize the benefits to your skin according to its type.
Transform Your Skin with This One Step
You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference the added step of exfoliation can have on your skin. It’s one of the most common esthetician skincare recommendations for producing clearer, brighter skin. Getting rid of the old skin to make room for the new is the main goal of exfoliation, but it doesn’t mean that’s the only way your skin can benefit.
We want you to get the most from your exfoliant, which is why we add soothing ingredients like aloe vera and honey to help soothe and condition the skin to our ExfoliKate® Intensive Treatment. Additionally, the benefits of alpha-hydroxy acids and physical exfoliation components, found in this intensive exfoliating treatment, make the road to radiant skin much easier. Plus, the addition of soy-lipid replenishes the skin’s natural barrier function. Part of what makes an effective exfoliant is the added benefits it can offer to overall skin health. This is why our treatment includes antioxidant benefits from vitamins A, C, and E as a skin health bonus as well. You don’t have to choose between battling clogged pores or nourishing the skin. Now you can do both. If you want to step up your skincare regimen and see a visible change with just one game changing step, exfoliation is the key. It changes the look and feel of your skin for the better. Follow our professional esthetician tips on what to do and what not to do in order to get better results for your complexion.
If you want to step up your skincare regimen and see a visible change with just one game changing step, exfoliation is the key. It changes the look and feel of your skin for the better. Follow our professional esthetician tips on what to do and what not to do in order to get better results for your complexion. Once you do, you’ll start to see smoother, brighter, pore perfected skin.
