Skin Exfoliation for the Face….
How often should I exfoliate my face???
Exfoliating Dry / Mature or Oily / Combination / Problematic Skin….
Often people with dry or mature skin believe they don’t need to exfoliate their face that often as they don’t suffer with skin issues such as blackheads, blemishes or oily skin.
Whereas many people with oily/spotty/combination skin, believe that exfoliating the face is extremely important. The theory behind this is that blemished skin, oily skin or skin prone to blackheads needs to be deeply cleaned. Some become obsessed with exfoliating their skin, trying to clear away impurities.
In reality: I believe it is the complete opposite!!!
Actually, a skin that is oily, spotty or combination, is already a very active skin!!! Exfoliation then acts as a physical stimulus for the skin, actually making it more active and can cause the issues to escalate! You don’t need to exfoliate this skin type very often. In my opinion, maybe as little as once or twice a month.
Whereas, a mature or dry skin becomes very lazy. It is very inactive and needs a bit of help!! If the skin is extremely aged, dull, dry and wrinkled, you can actually exfoliate up to three times a week, even daily!!! This will liven up the skin, and help your other skincare products become more effective. Serums and moisturizers will sink in quicker and results will become more noticeable and the skin will look fresher!! Make sure you are using a facial exfoliator though, as you don’t want to use anything too rough on the face. Specially formulated facial exfoliators, have softer spherical beads which wont cause damage to the skin. Using a harsher scrub on the face, can cause redness and broken capillaries. So give exfoliation a go as part of your anti-aging skincare routine!!!
What if I don’t have either of the above skin types???
What to do if you have normal, healthy looking skin!
I have normal skin that is clear, blemish free but not dry or mature. I cleanse my skin twice daily with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Cleanser. This is used with a hot soft muslin cloth and I find that on my face, using this cloth is fabulous. I then use an exfoliator 1-3 times a month for that extra boost, but some may find they need to do this once a week. It really depends on your Skin and of course your age…
Tried and tested Facial Exfoliators…
In my bathroom at the Moment!!!
Elemis: Gentle Rose Exfoliator….
Hydrating Absolute of Moroccan Rose, soothing Cucumber and smooth micro-spherical Jojoba beads very gently exfoliate, leaving skin silky soft to the touch. Gentle enough to be used daily, the exquisite Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator is ideal for sensitive, mature and dehydrated complexions.
Just as the name suggests, it gently exfoliates, leaving the skin silky soft and is suitable for even the most sensitive skins.
Why do I love this exfoliator so much ???
Well, where do I start. It smells beautiful. Just as you would imagine! Beautiful fresh roses. But the main thing I like is the size and shape of the exfoliating beads. I cannot stand facial exfoliators that have huge grit like or scrub textures!!! Do not use this type of exfoliator on your face. Harsh grit can cause redness and broken capillaries. The Elemis Gentle Rose exfoliator is not like these at all. This is a soft gel texture and the beads are soft, tiny and spherical in shape. As they are polished onto the skin they disperse!! This makes it really easy to wash off as nearly all of the granules have gone by the time you have massaged them in. This is so gentle that it can be used over delicate areas such as the eyelids. Its not just an exfoliator but a super conditioning treatment. Best for normal, dry, ageing or sensitive skins.
( After writing the above, I had to go into the bathroom and use this!!!! That’s how nice I think it is )
It is a premium product, not just an exfoliator!!!! I always have this in my bathroom.
You can buy it for £26.50 with free P&P by clicking here: Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator
Also in my bathroom….
Liz Earle: Gentle Face Exfoliator…
This is also a lovely product. Definitely not as gentle as the Elemis one though. It’s texture is very similar the the famous Cleanse and Polish and was originally going to be called ‘Cleanse & Polish Plus’ (although obviously it has exfoliating beads in it). This is a fresh, uplifting exfoliator with a nice big hit of soothing eucalyptus!
It contains purifying eucalyptus, softening cocoa butter and fine jojoba beads.
I do absolutely love this product and always have it in my bathroom. I don’t need to exfoliate my skin on my face very often, due to my skin type and age but do love it on my neck and décolleté. This is also a delicate area, so body scrubs are often too harsh for me. This one is just right for this area.
This is a lovely product, but like I say, if your skin is ultra sensitive, I recommend the Elemis Gentle Rose.
You can purchase this for £13 from uk.lizearle.com
So all in all, I have to say my favourite facial exfoliator is the Elemis Gentle Rose. I don’t need too much exfoliation on my skin and this is perfect for me!!!
I have tried many others (not just the two listed). If you have an oilier skin or are mature and want even more advanced, high impact exfoliation, maybe try another Elemis exfoliator such as their ‘Papaya Enzyme Peel’. This is a non-granular formula which uses fruit enzymes to eat away those dead skin cells..
(You can purchase this for £28.60 with free P&P by clicking here: Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel
Alternatively, give the Liz Earle a go which is a good all rounder!
If you have a favourite facial exfoliator, feel free to add a comment!!! Tell us your age, what you use and your skin type!!
Author: Anna Sharp