Exfoliate Your Face

Exfoliating your skin can make it appear smoother and softer, and can help skin treatments work better. However, you have to use the right kind of exfoliation for your skin type to get the best results and avoid irritating your skin. It’s best to consult with a dermatologist about how to exfoliate your face. In general, there are a number of products and medical procedures you can try, and even some natural at-home remedies you can use.

Steps

Exfoliating Properly at Home

1. Pull your hair back. If you have long hair, pull all of your hair away from your face and secure it with a hair tie. If you have bangs, you may need a headband to hold them back away from your face as well.
2. Wet a clean washcloth or rag with hot water. The water should be hot, but not so hot that it burns your skin. Place the washcloth on your face for one to two minutes to open your pores. Alternately, take a hot shower first and soak in the steam for several minutes.
3. Use your standard face wash. After you've opened your pores, gently wash your face with your usual facial cleanser. You don’t need to scrub hard, you just want to have a nice clean face to exfoliate.
4. Apply your exfoliating scrub. Whatever exfoliant you’re using, have it ready to go. Maybe you decided to make a scrub at home, or maybe you’ve purchased a product at the store. Either way, apply the exfoliating paste to your clean, wet skin. Use two fingers or a clean washcloth wet with warm water. Gently rub the paste in circular motions over your entire face to get rid of dead skin.
   • If you’re using an exfoliating brush or sponge, use short light strokes for about 30 seconds.
   • Don’t exfoliate if you have open cuts, wounds, a sunburn, or a herpes outbreak.
5. Rinse the scrub off of your face with lukewarm water. Wash off all the exfoliating paste with warm, not hot, water. Then splash your face with cold water to close your pores. Make sure you’ve removed all of the scrub, otherwise your face will be sticky or grainy from the leftover scrub.
6. Pat your face dry. Use a fresh, soft, clean towel to gently pat dry your face. Do not rub your skin. Your skin may be a little more sensitive after exfoliation, and you do not want to irritate it further by rubbing it.
7. Apply a moisturizer with sunscreen. After you are done exfoliating, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer with sunscreen to preserve your skin’s smoothness, avoid breaking out, and protect it from harmful UV rays. It’s easy for fresh skin to be damaged by the sun, so be sure to wear sunscreen if you’ll be spending time outdoors.
   • Use a moisturizer with at least SPF 15 sun block.
8. Time your treatments. If you have oily, tough skin, you may be able to exfoliate daily without any problem. On the other hand, those with sensitive or dry skin should limit at-home exfoliating to 1-2 times per week. If your skin becomes red or irritated, cut back on how much you’re exfoliating and consult your doctor.

Purchasing Dermatological Products

1. Identify your skin type. Determine whether you have oily skin, normal skin, or dry skin before purchasing an exfoliating product. Dry skin is often flaky or itchy, whereas oily skin can feel greasy or look shiny. Many people have a combination of the two types in different areas, in which case use products for normal skin or products for the type of skin you have most of.
2. Choose the right ingredients for your skin type. If you have oily or normal skin choose a product that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These ingredients can help to improve and prevent breakouts. You can also apply an alpha-hydroxy-acid cleanser, which helps remove dead skin cells. Use a product with retinoic acid to balance out skin tone and reduce wrinkles.
   • If you have dry skin, avoid using the above products and strong exfoliants that contain glycolic acid. Generally avoid any chemical products and opt for physical-based products that are less invasive.
   • Stay away from products that have higher than 10% glycolic acid or 2% salicylic acid.
3. Choose beads for sensitive or dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose a product with smooth, synthetic exfoliating beads. These products are good for dry or easily irritated skin, too. If your skin is on the oily side, choose a product with coarse, rough beads that will exfoliate more aggressively.
4. Try an electric exfoliating brush. Brands like Clarisonic have developed tools that can be used to remove the outer layer of dead or dry skin from your face. These brushes use sonic frequency to remove dirt and debris from your face without irritating your skin. Though not as effective as a professional microdermabrasion treatment, these tools are much less expensive.

Making Natural Face Scrubs

1. Mix baking soda with water and apply it to your face. Baking soda is a gentle exfoliant. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then wash it off using warm water and a washcloth.
   • You can also try a honey and baking soda mix.
   • For sensitive skin, try baking soda and aloe.
2. Make an avocado, honey, and sugar mask. Mash up an avocado and mix it with two tablespoons honey and one tablespoon sugar. The sugar will provide a soft exfoliation while the honey and avocado will nourish your skin.
   • If you have oily skin, add in one to two teaspoons of fresh lemon juice to help tighten skin and dry up pores.
   • Allow the mask to sit on your face for 15-20 minutes before washing it off thoroughly.
3. Combine a healthy oil with sugar. There are several different options you can choose from when it comes to selecting an oil to mix into your exfoliant scrub. Choose nut-based oils that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to tighten and rejuvenate skin. Mix about two tablespoons of oil into one tablespoon of brown or white sugar and use a washcloth to apply to your face, scrubbing in small circles. Rinse with warm water. Some commonly recommended oils include:
   • Coconut oil
   • Almond oil
   • Olive oil
   • Grapeseed oil
   • Chamomile oil
   • Avocado oil
   • Safflower oil
4. Try a cornmeal or nut meal-based scrub. Combine two to three tablespoons of either cornmeal or some sort of ground nut meal, such as almond or walnut meal, and a small amount of water. You want the scrub to be a pasty consistency. Apply a generous coating to your face and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before washing off with warm water.
   • Don’t use this if you have a nut allergy.
5. Revitalize your face with a coffee scrub. The rough texture of coffee combined with the caffeic acid it contains makes it a good exfoliating agent. Caffeic acid has anti-inflammatory properties and helps increase collagen production, leaving your skin smooth and healthy.
   • Mix one tablespoon of ground coffee with one tablespoon of water or olive oil and apply it to your face. If you have particularly oily skin, use plain water instead of olive oil. Allow the mask to sit on your face for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
   • Be sure to use freshly ground coffee beans, not instant coffee. Instant coffee will dissolve in water immediately.
   • An alternative is to steam you face for 20 minutes to open up the pores. Then mix 1 tablespoon coffee powder with milk or honey to form a thick paste. Apply this paste on your face in a circular motion. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with cold water to close the pores.
6. Soothe and nourish with an oatmeal scrub. Particularly beneficial for people with dry skin, oatmeal scrubs can exfoliate while nourishing your skin.
   • Mix two tablespoons ground oatmeal (not instant) with one teaspoon salt or sugar and one tablespoon water or olive oil. If you have oily skin, opt for salt and water as additives. If you have dry skin, opt for sugar and oil to help hydrate skin.
   • Apply the mixture to your skin and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Trying Professional Services

1. Treat yourself to a spa facial. Make exfoliating your face part of a relaxing spa day. Spas offer many dermatological services during facials from exfoliation to deep cleansing treatments. Every once in a while enjoy a relaxing day of pampering. While you’re there, treat yourself to a massage, too!
2. Get a professional microdermabrasion treatment. Also referred to as mechanical exfoliation or micro resurfacing, microdermabrasion uses a mechanical suction tube with an exfoliating tip to get rid of dead or dry layers of skin. It cleans out pores and rejuvenates skin, though the process does need to be repeated every few weeks to maintain the positive effects.
   • While it can be relatively expensive, microdermabrasion is non-invasive and performed in-office by a dermatologist.
   • A common treatment routine would be every 2-3 weeks with at least 6-10 treatments to achieve lasting results.
   • Don’t do microdermabrasion if you scar easily or have used the medicine isotretinoin within the past 6 months.
3. Try a chemical peel. If you do not have dry or sensitive skin, you may be a candidate for getting a chemical peel from a dermatologist every 4-6 weeks. Chemical peel solutions contain high concentrations of salicylic acid and retinoic acid that help to speed cell regeneration. Your skin will peel for a few days after a chemical peel and then it will begin to heal itself and generate fresh, smooth skin.
   • These treatments usually cost about $250 per visit.
   • Chemical peels can be done at light, medium or deep levels depending on your desired results. Deeper peels take longer to heal.
   • Redness typically occurs after a chemical peel. Other less common risks include scarring, changes in skin color, and infection. Deep peels have a risk for damage to your heart or liver because of a chemical used.
   • Talk to your doctor about your health history and whether you should have a chemical peel. They’re not a good idea for everyone.

Warnings

• Some skin products can make your skin more sensitive or more likely to peel, like those with benzoyl peroxide or retinol. Be careful exfoliating if you already use one of these products.
• Be sure to consult with a dermatologist before exfoliating if you have very dark skin or if you scar easily. Using improper technique could result in skin color changes.
• If you have a mole or discolored spot on your skin that is growing or changing, see a doctor right away to get checked for skin cancer.

Related Articles

• Begin a Natural Skin Care Regime
• Take Care of Your Skin
• Take Care of Dry Skin
• Treat Oily Skin with Tomatoes
• Get Clear, Smooth Skin
• Exfoliate for Smooth Even Toned Skin

Sources and Citations

See also

• Care for Your Face (Males)
• Heal Raw Skin
• Use a Glycolic Acid Peel
• Know if Sunscreen Has Expired
• Heal over Exfoliated Skin
• Wear a Face Shield
• Stop Hard Water from Ruining Your Skin
• Choose a Natural Sunscreen
• Wear Makeup when You Have Eczema
• Make a Charcoal Peel‐Off Facial Mask

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What links here

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