How to Make Friends with Exfoliation
Congratulations! You’d sooner skip the latest episode of Game of Thrones than forgo your cleanse-tone-moisturise regime. Your skin looks good, aside from the occasional breakout and then there’s that dullness, fine lines, exposed pores, dry patches…
Like you, I thought I was meticulous about my skincare regime, but it wasnt until I upped my game and added regular exfoliation to the mix, that my complexing really got glowing.
Yes, you heard me, done right, exfoliation reduces the occurence of acne and breakouts, clears dead skin cell buildup and unclogs pores.
Keen to give it a go?
There are two types of exfoliating products- products that scrub off, and chemical applications. Your lifestyle, skin type and texture will dictate which one will guarantee the best results. Lucky for you, I’ve spent the last few weeks putting armfuls of exfoliators to the test, so take my word for it when I tell you that these little wonders work…
Short on time?
Maximise shower time by mixing a pea size amoutn of facial exfoliator into your facial cleanser and scrubbing up while you get clean.
The product: The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliator (R120, The Body Shop) is a gentle fragrance-free micro-bead exfoliator that leaves skin feeling extremely soft and hydrated.
Problem skin?
A handheld brush exfoliator does a better job of removing dead skin cells and preventing breakouts.
The product: Garnier Pure Active Exfobrush Face Wash (R89.95, DisChem) is a handy exfoliator – plus cleanser in one, with a conveniently detachable brush that – despite my intial impression – felt gentle, left my skin feeling soft and significantly reduced oiliness and the appearance of blackheads. The downside: A little too heavily scented.
Love your tech?
This tech-savvy exfoliator is set to do for exfoliating what the electric toothbrush did for oral hygiene. It’s fun to use and leaves pores feeling squeeky clean.
The product: The Clarisonic Skincare Brush (Starts at R2499, Stuttafords) boasts a cleansing ability that is six times more powerful than your hands. When used in conjunction with a non-abrasive cleanser, the brush removes impurities in 60 seconds flat. It feels gentle and leaves skin feeling smooth and perfectly cleansed.
Does it all sound like too much effort?
If the thought of adding another step to your cleansing routine leaves you cold, opt for an exfoliator that works it’s magic while you sleep.
The product: L’Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew Peeling Lotion (R229, pharmacies nationwide) is a hardworking liquid exfoliator enriched with Glycolic acid that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Simply apply it to your face with cotton wool before bedtime and wake up to a more luminous complexion. The downside: The pungent scent takes some getting used to, and some BB’s prone to sensitivity might find this product too harsh for everyday use.
How do you incorporate exfoliation into your routine BB’s? Let us know in the comment box below.