Exfoliating involves the removal of the skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface. Your skin can shed 30,000 to 40,000 dead cells per minute naturally.  Many people think they only need to exfoliate 1 or 2 times per week but if your skin is shedding 30,000 cells per minute, how much skin is ready to be exfoliated after a night’s sleep.  Recently, Christie Brinkley was asked what her secret was to her youthful skin and her response was, “I exfoliate my skin every single day.”  Exfoliating is such an important part of my skincare routine.  The thought of all that dead skin on my face and then using my daily products on top of it makes me feel as if I’m wasting my products (and money).  I believe that in order for those products to penetrate through those dead layers you need to exfoliate.  Years ago St. Ives Apricot Scrub was the ‘go to’ exfoliator.  Today there’s a plethora of products including masks, peels, treatments and creams that all help to exfoliate the skin.  Truth be told I only recently started to exfoliate my face daily.  I had been given a gift from a co-worker who I often discussed aging with (so I wasn’t offended when she gave me an exfoliator as a holiday gift).  It was Clinique’s daily micro-exfoliant.  I love how soft, gentle and tiny the beads are and how smooth my skin feels  after use.  I feel as if it’s my ‘skincare’ prep before putting my products on each day.   Also, an added benefit of exfoliating is that it stimulates collagen.

Two of today’s most popular facial treatments  are microdermabrasion and chemical peels – both help to exfoliate the skin.  Even after just one microderm treatment your skin is better able to absorb products and make-up goes on so much better.  Another product that is an exfoliatior is AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid).  I love SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA cream.  After just a few uses I see my skin start to peel more quickly and reveal smoother skin.  I can’t stress enough the importance of wearing sunblock when using AHAs.   

It’s never too late to start a daily exfoliator but be gentle especially if you are dealing with acne or broken skin as it can be irritating.  

~Skincare Warrior

Warrior tip: Want to save a few extra dollars, mix some sugar, honey and lemon juice and place it in a little jar and keep in on your vanity.  It’s a great inexpensive exfoliator.