Exfoliating helps expose that glowy skin that resides under the surface by removing dead skin cells. Read our guide on how to buff the whole of your body, from your face to your feet
2. What Is
Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of sloughing off dead
skin cells from the surface of your skin. But it’s
not as simple as that. There are actually two kinds
of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical exfoliation involves physically
scrubbing your skin’s surface with a scrub or a
dry brush. Chemical exfoliation, on the other
hand, involves the use of salicylic acid, alpha
hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid), or enzymes to
chemically break down the surface buildup.
3. How Often
Should You
Exfoliate?
The jury’s still out on this one. While exfoliation is
an important skin care step, how often you
should engage in this varies from person to
person. Some people’s skin can only handle
exfoliating once a week, while others are able to
do it a few times a week. Pay attention to how
your skin reacts after exfoliating to help
determine how often is best for you.
4. Begin with
dry skin
Before you even hop in the
shower, put on a pair of
exfoliating gloves or grab
your loofah and gently rub
your skin in circular
motions to begin the dead
skin cell shedding process.
5. Get in the
shower
After you’ve scrubbed your
dry skin from head to toe,
let the water run down
your body to start the next
step of exfoliation
goodness.
6. Use an
exfoliating
cleanser
Just like you did with your
dry skin, you’ll want to
exfoliate in circular
motions, only this time with
the addition of a gentle
exfoliating cleanser like the
Olay Soothing Cucumber
Cleansing Body Wash.
7. Give your
elbows, feet,
and knees
extra TLC
Be sure to pay more
attention to these areas
because they’re especially
prone to dryness.
8. Don’t skip
your back
Although you can’t reach it
easily, make sure not to
neglect your back. Instead,
grab a back brush to
exfoliate hard-to-reach
places.
10. Finish with
moisturizer
Directly after hopping out
of the shower and patting
yourself mostly dry, apply
your favorite hydrating
moisturizer from head to
toe.