I have to confess... I am a skin care JUNKIE! I will fall victim every time to the latest and greatest products that promise newer, younger looking skin. Any one else out there relate? Well whether you are a classic skin care junkie or someone who is into a more simple (some would say rational) routine, the question eventually becomes, How do you get the most out of the products that you already have?
Many of us have already gone through the trouble of finding some skin care products that we like, or think we will, based on recommendations from girlfriends, our own research, tips from skincare specialists, or simply an impulse buy. However, after a while, sometimes they aren't as effective as they once were or as we would have liked them to be. So I started to wonder as I looked at all the bottles in my cabinet, "What could I do to make the most of the products I already had?"
So I started doing some investigative research. I began by looking specifically at the instructions that came with the various products and their websites that described each one. I looked up articles and blogs on effective skincare and healthy looking skin. Once I looked at all information, it became apparent that there was one simple solution that was the common denominator - Exfoliation.
Now hear me out - i know about exfoliation. I know that it's a "good idea" to exfoliate before using certain products. But seriously, could exfoliating make THAT big of a difference? Well, I decided to look into it and also try it for myself, and it turns out the benefits are more numerous than I realized.
Imagine a world where your skin is always healthy, smooth, and silky. With exfoliation, you can make that happen for yourself. Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin cells which decreases the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also removes oil, dirt, and other debris that can build up on your skin over time, making your skin look smoother as it reveals healthier, newer layers of skin underneath. Your skin will also feel softer to the touch while being moisturized at the same time!
"Dermatologists recommend exfoliating your body twice a week to help promote softer, smoother skin."
One of the biggest benefits of exfoliation is that it helps your skincare products work better. Your skin is naturally designed to prevent outside elements from entering, but when you exfoliate, you remove the dead cells that are sitting on your skin’s surface and reveal healthy cells underneath. This helps the soaked-in skincare product (moisturizer, serum, etc.) penetrate more deeply into the layers of your skin and ultimately do all those amazing things it said it would! Another perk? Exfoliation can make your skin look smoother and softer as you scrub away dead cells - giving it a healthy glow!
Now facial exfoliation and body exfoliation are two entirely things. It is important to use different products that are specifically for each area as they are 2 different types of skin. But what I noticed is that most facial regimens have some type of exfoliation included in its product lines through different types of acids or retinols. In general, people tend to be better about exfoliating their faces because it is something they are more conscience of doing. However, when it comes to remembering to exfoliate their bodies, it often tends to get forgotten, and it is just as important with great benefits!
There are lots of different ways to exfoliate your body - dry brushing, loofahs, salts and sugars just to name a few. Many of them come down to skin sensitivity and frankly, what feels best on your skin. But regardless of what method you choose, there are a few things to remember when exfoliating:
1: You must remember to gently wash/rinse off the skin after exfoliating to rid it of all the dead skin. That is why most people choose to do their exfoliating in the shower.
2; After exfoliating, it is important to add nutrients back to the skin by way of moisturizers. This is where the magic happens and all the products you already have can do their magic.
3: Consistency. I cannot say it enough, but all those things that we hate about aging - dull skin, crepiness, uneven texture, can be markedly improved by consistently adding body exfoliation into your routine 2-3 times per week.
If you don't have a good body exfoliator, one of our all time favorites is our Spa Day Sugar Scrub. Made with all natural ingredients, it is a true body treatment that hydrates and exfoliates the skin and smells like you have just stepped out of the spa! It features Refined Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Pure Cane Sugar, Shea Butter and Essential Lavender and Spearmint Oils. which make for a gentle and effective way to exfoliate your skin, leaving it amazingly soft and hydrated. I have linked it in the picture above or you can find it at saltandlightbathcompany.com
There are also some yummy seasonal scrub options, such as Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub which is also packed with all natural, good for your skin ingredients and smells heavenly!
Our skin is the biggest organ of our bodies so keeping it healthy is a big key to our overall health. By adding in exfoliation to your weekly routine, you will start to see the benefits of healthy, younger looking skin and hopefully enjoy those skin care products again that you thought were past their prime.