Exfoliation Tips? Is it important??? HELP!
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free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:43 pm

How do YOU exfoliate your face?
I am terrified to harm my dry skin by using something too abrasive, so I must confess that I rarely use anything to exfoliate.

Is exfoliation the key to a glowing complexion or does it do more damage than good?

Is exfoliating really nessecary or will a nice facial cleanser do the trick?

Help I am confused about exfoliation.....

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:45 pm

necessary

NOT
nessecary

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:05 pm

I am not sure what kind of skin you have, but for me if I did not exfoliate I would be so broken out it would be unbelievable. Even if I wasn't broken out, then my skin would be dull. I think it is essential.

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:28 pm

it's not a must for me... but i will do it together with the asprin mask sometimes.

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:36 pm

If you have sensitive skin , highly recommend

Pevonia Enzymo-Spheride Peeling Cream

This cream delivers cutting-edge technology: encapsulating enzymes in micro-spherides. Pineapple and Papaya enzymes join Ginkgo, Calendula and more in this exceptional formula. Enzymes do not become active until applied on skin working to eliminate impurities, dead cells and blackheads.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:46 am

I really don't know if it is necessary or not and it is hard to find an unbiased view as those that tend to push it are those that make and/or sell exfoliators. However, aside from that, I do use one because it makes my skin feel smoother. The one I use is Cellcosmet Dual Action Exfoliator which is really like a mini mask,exfoliator combined. It is quite creamy and is applied and left on the skin for three minutes, then very gently rubbed for one minute (a tiny amount of water can be added if it has been left too long and has dried slightly). It rinses off with no residue at all and does leave the skin very hydrated.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:14 am

I don't exfoliate regulary, only maybe once a month or if there is something special going on with my skin. Too much exfoliation only irritates and dehydrates my skin.

Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:33 am

I use either a chemical exfoliant (eg Neostrata Gel Plus) or a gentle mechanical one (Jurlique Face Wash Cream). Or even a face washer. I usually exfoliate every day but it's very gentle and helps my skin. I think if your skin doesn't appear to need it then don't fix what isn't broken!

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:55 am

Regular exfoliation is an absolute must for me. I have dry skin and exfoliating helps to keep it smooth and free of flakes. Also, it can help to fade blemishes and scars.

If I don't exfoliate, then I soon notice a big difference.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:59 am

I exfoliate regularly because my pores get clogged pretty easily. But if you've never felt the need for it, then perhaps your skin does a good job of exfoliating on its own. Everyone's skin is different. But if you're just curious to see if it would improve your skin, I would start with something really gentle, and not too expensive!

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:38 am

I use to use a wet towel before and gently exfoliate however i was worried that i might be damaging skin with that one since then i do 2-3times at the very least once a week epidermx after cleansing

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:51 am

Expoliation is very necessary to keep a glowing skin, otherwise, you will have old haggard skin....

quote="Pippi_Plum"]How do YOU exfoliate your face?
I am terrified to harm my dry skin by using something too abrasive, so I must confess that I rarely use anything to exfoliate.

Is exfoliation the key to a glowing complexion or does it do more damage than good?

Is exfoliating really nessecary or will a nice facial cleanser do the trick?

Help I am confused about exfoliation.....

[/quote]

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:27 am

If you have dry skin, a couple exfoliators that come to mind are Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream, and Mychelle Fruit Enzyme Scrub. Both are fairly moisturizing, but the Mychelle is much "scrubbier" than the Dr. H, so you may try with the good Doc first and see how your skin likes it.

And you can always just use a washcloth to gently massage in your normal cleanser - believe it or not, that's a form of exfoliation too, and probably gentler on your skin than chemical exfoliants. Most people's skin reacts well to some exfoliation, even dry and mature skin - just don't overdo it. Start with gentle pressing motions, not scrubbing like crazy. Dr. Hauschka's website has a demo, I believe, if that helps! I think my skin is less flaky and dry, and also less broken-out, when I exfoliate regularly.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:03 pm

ditto to everything that ginnielizz wrote.

Please do not use too strong chemical exfoliating product. Once a week or at most twice a week is more than enough. I usually stick to once a week unless there's a special occasion.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:01 pm

Yes, I think exfoliation is essential as your skin ages (I mean after 18/20years old!) Exfolients work in one of two ways--manually--a grainy exfolient will rub the dead skin off your face, or enzymatically/chemically--a cream or serum containing an enzyme or chemical (like aha, bha) will loosen the bonds holding old skin to new.) Both work but you have to start gently to figure out what is best for you.

Waning though--some manual exfolients contain VERY abrasive agents that can cause little tears in the skin. cheap drug store varieties are often suspect so be careful.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:10 pm

Vidisha Lala wrote:

Please do not use too strong chemical exfoliating product. Once a week or at most twice a week is more than enough.

beeb wrote:

Waning though--some manual exfolients contain VERY abrasive agents that can cause little tears in the skin. cheap drug store varieties are often suspect so be careful.

As these two pointed out, both types of exfoliants have their drawbacks. If you go for a physical exfoliant, make sure you don't get anything with ground up walnut shell or apricot kernel, or similar - many find these to be too harsh, as their surfaces are quite jagged and can cause tiny tears in the skin that may lead to broken capillaries. Then again, if you're gentle, you can usually avoid this. Many exfoliants that use polyethylene beads, jojoba wax beads, or ground almonds have a much gentler texture. Using a washcloth is a good way to turn any cleanser into an exfoliator too, but you can overdo the scrubbing even with a washcloth. The idea is to help unclog pores and remove debris, but NOT to remove a layer of skin.

With chemical exfoliants, you also need to be careful not to overdo it. These contain AHA or BHA acids, which are designed to help the skin "let go" of dead skin cells - but too high a concentration of either, or too prolonged an exposure, can cause the skin to peel excessively, crack, burn, etc. This can cause blistering, broken capillaries, rosacea, etc. So make sure to be gentle, and if a chemical peel type product ever stings too much, rinse it off and put some sort of calming oil (maybe jojoba with chamomile or rose EO in it) on the skin.

Obviously, there's a lot to choose from. My new favorite exfoliator is a combo physical and chemical one from MyChelle - it has lots of tiny jojoba and polyethylene beads, so it scrubs very well even though it's gentle. The fruit acids are not enough to make my skin sting at all, and I am quite sensitive. But even this scrub would be too much if I were to scrub it in too hard, or leave it on too long. Just use moderation and you will have pleasant results. If in doubt, start slow (leave a peel on for less time than indicated, and/or scrub less frequently than indicated) and work your way up to the full amount. This is an especially good idea if you're sensitive.

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:33 am

jade-1234 wrote:

Expoliation is very necessary to keep a glowing skin, otherwise, you will have old haggard skin....

Jade1234, I am wondering if you really meant that statement? A bit over the top?

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:24 am

Every dermatologist and "skin expert" that I have ever spoken to have all stressed the importance of ridding the skin of dead skin cells by exfoliation. It is said that it is the dead skin cells that clog pores and stop the skin from functioning normally - skin, after all, is our largest organ. I'm not too keen on too much rubbing and scrubbing with exfoliants, I prefer to do a lactic acid peel once a week.

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:57 am

I am in my 40's and like you I have dry, sensitive skin and have never exfoliated. I have been scared of making my skin even drier or causing a bad reaction from the exfoliators. I have noticed large pores around my cheek area and my skin looking dull so I called Nancy at ncnproskincare.com and ordered the microfiber cloth. It is a wash cloth on one side and an exfoliating cloth on the other. You just rinse it with warm water, no cleansers required. I am waiting on the shipment so I have not used it yet but Nancy was very helpful in answering my qestions.

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:39 am

Starlight's suggestion sounds similar to the Jane Iredale Magic Mitt - I have my first shipment of these on order from EDS right now, so I'll update once I try them!

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:48 pm

when I wrote not to use too strong chemical masks, I meant anything which is too strong, is not good for the skin - be it in scrub form or cream masks.Use anything that is mild.

I use decleor's phytopeel (it's a paste which you need to remove in circular motion once spread and patted on the skin). Or Decleor's peel-off mask which exfoliates too.

If you have dry skin, you could use honey mask. If your skin takes to it, it's one of the best moisturising masks you can apply. Add yoghurt to it & pinch of turmeric to complete it. Yoghurt has milk proteins and lactic acid which smooths the skin (and wrinkles & marks). Turmeric is antisceptic.

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:38 pm

Hey Vidisha Lala, do you find that the turmeric causes any kind of pigmentation on the skin? I've often been recommended turmeric by my ND for certain health issues (mostly joint stuff before and after a triathlon race, and also for helping remove extra estrogen in the body after a BC pill that didn't agree with me), but whenever I cook with it it leaves a deep yellow stain that's really hard to remove from sinks, counters, dishes, and even my tongue and around my lips - I'd worry it would dye my face yellow! Embarassed

Do the other ingredients in the mask you suggest help protect from that?

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:53 pm

Hi Ginnielizz,

You are right, turmeric powder has a very strong colour, therefore, you need a pinch, so as to not turn a pigment of yellow Smile

The other things would not negate that. If you have read my other threads, you may have read that I suggest you could add a piece of banana or strawberry to the mask for added benefit.

When you say that your ND suggests you take it, I take it the ND means to eat it? In India, my parents get the raw turmeric root (like ginger) and eat a bit everyday in the morning with moong dal sprouts. It's very good.

We add turmeric powder to everything we cook. They say that may be one of the reasons why there's not as many cases of Parkinson's disease in India - because turmeric in any form is anti-sceptic and anti-biotic (may be I am making up the latter)!

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:08 pm

Yeah, it's a super-powerful antioxidant, and yes, she had suggested that I eat it or cook with it. There are even capsules that have powdered turmeric. But I would love to find the raw root, I think it's hard to come by here! We have a great Japanese grocery chain here though, so maybe I will give that a try. They often have produce from all around the world that you don't normally see in the US.

free skin care · Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:45 pm

If you find the raw root, be aware that it stains your fingers and teeth when you cut or eat it. But the stain goes away very soon (ie.say after a shower).

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