Exfoliation – what is it and do you need to do it?

The simple answer is yes, everyone needs to exfoliate.  Exfoliating the skin is the process of removing the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface using an exfoliant, which could either be a chemical or physical exfoliant.

By removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, exfoliation can make skin look and feel better by smoothing the skin’s surface.  It can help with some skin conditions like acne (to prevent clogging of dead skin), or chronically dry skin, to remove the hardened outer layer of skin cells allowing fresher, plumper and new cells to come through, but all skin types benefit (with the exception of very sensitive skin with impaired barriers)

The skin naturally sheds the top layer of skin cells every 30 days but exfoliation simply accelerates this process.

However, over-exfoliating can cause chronic skin irritation and inflammation, which can lead to accelerated aging, so it is important to understand the products you are exfoliating with, their strength and how often to exfoliate.  Once or twice a week for normal and combination skin, once a week for sensitive skin.  In general the evening is the best time to exfoliate, followed with a serum or facial mask, to feed the new healthy skin with nutrients or skin specific ingredients that your skin lacks.

Select an exfoliation method that suits your skin type: those with dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin may prefer a mild chemical exfoliator, as mechanical exfoliation may be too irritating for this skin type.  When done regularly and with the right products compatible with your skin, exfoliation will not only help fade acne scars and marks, but it will brighten your skin, make it softer and smoother, shrink the appearance of enlarged pores, and help prevent breakouts.  This results in more nourished, glowing skin.

But its a minefield out there wondering which products to pick. To help you pick what is right for your skin we have decided to make March our “exfoliation awareness” month, so for every Dermalogica exfoliator you buy you will receive a treatment masque for just €20 (normal retail from €45 – €60)

The list to choose from is quite extensive, but we will steer you in the correct direction.

Exfoliators

Daily Microfoliant – rice based powder gentle enough for every day use – all skin types

Daily Superfoliant – highly active powder resurfacer, removes pollutants from skin – every day use – all skin types

Gentle Cream Exfoliant – Lactic and Hydroxy Acid masque – non-abrasive exfoliation – use 1 to 2 times weekly

Daily Resurfacer – daily leave-on exfoliation – to brighten and tone all skin conditions – the lazy way to do exfoliation superbly!

Rapid Reveal Peel – professional-grade at home peel to kick start cell renewal and achieve visible radiance – once a week

Overnight Retinol Repair 0.5% and 1% – not technically an exfoliator but we are including it – dramatically reduces the appearance of skin aging

Power Rich – again not technically an exfoliator, but a maximum intensity skin treatment to help fight the visible signs of aging – 5 week supply

Masques & Serums

Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque – ambulance in a tube!

Charcoal Rescue Masque – detoxifies, brightens and invigorates

Skin Hydrating Masque – refreshing, moisturising masque to remedy dry, stressed skin

Sebum Clearing Masque – soothing clay masque helps clear breakouts and minimise premature signs of skin aging

If you are unsure if your skin can tolerate any of the above products, we will explain their use in full before purchase and will only let you buy what is right for your skin.