Exfoliation been rubbing you the wrong way? Looking to up your exfoliation game? Wondering what exfoliation even is?

Whatever brings you here, fear not – we have all the answers to all your questions about why we exfoliate and how to exfoliate so you can scrub-a-dub-dub your skin the right way to keep it happy and healthy.

Exfoliating, when done right, is great for your skin. It helps remove build up and dirt to reveal fresh, glowing skin – helping to keep your skin clean and blemish-free.

We love exfoliating, and we’re sure you will too, so let’s take a closer look.

All your exfoliation questions, answered

Do I really need to exfoliate? Why?

Yes! Hate to break it to you, but dermatologists agree – you should definitely exfoliate, especially if you have any skin issues like acne or clogged pores.

Exfoliating is how we scrub off dry, dead skin and other buildup. When we don’t exfoliate and that layer of gunk stays on, it can clog pores, feed bacteria, and otherwise wreak havoc on your skin.

How often should I exfoliate my face?

Most people should exfoliate 2-3 times per week.

That said, if you’re using a gentle chemical method of exfoliation, rather than a scrub or tool that physically exfoliates, you can exfoliate every day. Salicylic acid, for example, is a chemical exfoliant (and is what we use in our Scantily Pads!).

But when using anything that gives your skin a physical rub down – and you can use both, to be clear – you don’t want to exfoliate too often, as you can rub your skin raw, causing redness and tenderness.

Do I need to exfoliate my skin other than my face?

You certainly can! This may depend on your skin, but most people find an occasional, gentle, all-over exfoliation is a nice treat for your skin and can help maintain clear, healthy skin. Again, exfoliating helps wick away dead skin and build up, which can accumulate anywhere on your body – by scrubbing off that layer of dry, dead skin, you remove any greyish old skin and reveal an all-over glow. 

In particular, if you’re struggling with body acne, a little added exfoliation may be just what you need. 

Exfoliating your body is basically the same as your face, just be gentle – and be extra careful around your more, ahem, sensitive skin (for external use only, please!).

What’s the best way to exfoliate?

Wet your face. You may have heard of dry exfoliation, but wet is definitely the way to go – it’s gentler on your skin and helps the exfoliating process remove any buildup it shakes loose.

If you’re using a physical exfoliating product (as opposed to chemical solutions), be extra careful to apply it gently and in small, circular motions, not too hard, for about 30 seconds. Then, use warm or luke warm water to rinse it off. 

Chemical products work about the same, but you have less to worry about when it comes to applying physical pressure and more to worry about timing – 30 seconds should be enough, certainly don’t leave it on for more than 2 minutes.

And as for where? You can absolutely exfoliate in the shower – the steam will help open up your pores and give you a nice, deep exfoliation.

When should I not exfoliate?

There are a few situations where you should probably skip the exfoliation for the day:

• If you have any open cuts or wounds
• If your face has been getting red and raw 
• If you don’t have water – do not exfoliate dry and rub it off, that’s a ticket straight to ouch town!

Exfoliating is generally good for your skin, but because it uses something abrasive to rub off the top, dead layer of your skin, it can also irritate and take off skin layers you want to keep. Like anything, it’s best done in moderation, so listen to your body – if something starts to hurt, use it less or consider switching to a gentler product.

And those are the facts on exfoliation!

That’s everything you need to know to give your face a fantastic exfoliating experience – and don’t forget your shoulders and chest if you’re struggling with acne that migrates.

Feel free to hit us up with more exfoliation questions via the Dermala app or reach out to us with any other burning skincare questions you may have. And until next time, sending you happy, healthy, beautiful skin!