How to Properly Exfoliate Your Skin

What is Exfoliation?

“Exfoliation is basically removing the dead surface cells from your skin,” says Dr. Magovern. “I hate to call them ‘dead’ because we now know they’re very much alive, but at any rate, it’s the removal of the topmost skin layer.” You can either use a chemical or physical exfoliant. A chemical exfoliation utilizes alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) or enzymes to loosen the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together. A physical exfoliant (also referred to as a ‘manual exfoliant’) uses a tool, liquid, gel or scrub.

Why You Should Exfoliate Your Skin

Your skin is constantly repairing and replacing itself. Because of this, you can be left with layers upon layers of dead skin all over your body. Here are 5 key benefits of exfoliation, which helps to make way for brighter, smoother skin:

1. It fades age spots
2. It makes fine lines and wrinkles look less visible
3. It allows for better absorption of moisturizers, antioxidants and collagen-boosting serums
4. It unclogs your pores
5. It minimizes pore size and superficial scars

“It’s important because it helps to break down some of the top surface cells that contribute to skin dullness, dryness and that ‘aged skin’ appearance,” explains Dr. Magovern. “Brown spots also improve because some of those ‘dead’ surface cells are what harbor some of the pigment.”

While brighter skin is certainly a perk, exfoliation can actually help improve the health of your skin as well. If your skin is riddled with dead cells, your skin care products may not be able to penetrate and do their work. In essence, “It also allows your products to work more effectively,” says Dr. Magovern. By removing the top-most layer of skin, you’re making it easier for your topical treatments to sink deep below the surface where they could make a real difference.

Finally, if you have acne-prone skin, exfoliation can help clear clogged pores, which often lead to breakouts, and minimize their size. It can also help fade acne scars faster by accelerating skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen production.

What Type of Exfoliant Should You Use?

So, you now know how important it is to exfoliate—but there are a few things to consider when it comes to how you do this. In fact, there are two ways to exfoliate your skin: chemical exfoliation and manual exfoliation. Here we’ll explain what each one is in more detail, as well as help you decide which one will work best for you.

What is Chemical Exfoliation?

“Chemical exfoliation uses ‘chemicals’ to break down the surface skin cells,” says Magovern. As a general rule of thumb, highly sensitive and acne-prone skin responds very well to chemical exfoliants, as they are less likely to cause irritation. “I prefer chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid or even using products that contain fruit enzymes, such as papaya, pineapple or pumpkin (as they tend to be gentler),” Dr. Magovern tells us. “Additionally, chemical exfoliators are nice because you usually don’t need to scrub, plus you get the benefit of something like glycolic acid, which can stimulate collagen production and trigger other anti-aging pathways. Salicylic acid targets oil glands, which can improve acne. I’m sure there are products out there with a combination of both (such as glowMD perfect scrub).”