“Exfoliate” comes from the Latin word exfoliare; to strip off leaves. Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface of the skin. If the dead skin cells are not removed it results in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores.
The Egyptians were well known to practice exfoliation. In the 15th century, wine was used chemical exfoliant, with tartaric acid as the active agent. There are two ways to exfoliate; mechanical or chemical means.
Mechanical Exfoliation
This process involves physically scrubbing the skin with an abrasive. Examples are microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, micro-bead facial scrubs, crepe paper, crushed apricot kernel or almond shells, sugar or salt crystals, pumice, and abrasive materials such as sponges, loofahs, brushes, and simply fingernails.
The key to using this is method is to rub with gentle pressure on your skin in a circular motion. Wash your skin with warm water afterwards.
Chemical Exfoliation
This includes scrubs containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid.
When to exfoliate
The frequency of exfoliation depends on the health of your skin. When you see dry, flaky, and uneven skin tone, that is a sign that you need to exfoliate. You will notice the best results by exfoliating two to three times each week, and with the right process.
If plan to use a tanning lotion, best to start the process a week or two prior to application.
Benefits of exfoliation
1. Exfoliation leaves your skin looking younger and improves the effectiveness of skin care products by enhancing absorption.
2. Regular exfoliation also unclogs pores, thus preventing acne.
3. Removal of dead skin cells evens the skin tone.
Concerning tanning, the tanning lotion is abosored by the new skin cells. Making the tan last longer. Whereas, if you apply the tanning cream on dying skin cells, the tan gets pealed of early.
An example of a household body scrub
1. Mix and stir the coconut oil(½ cup) and honey(¼ cup).
2. Add brown sugar(½ cup) and oatmeal(3 tbsp. ground). Stir until it is a thick paste.
3. Wet your skin, and gently rub the mixture on your body.
4. Rinse and pat dry.
Over the counter(OTC) scrubs
While homemade exfoliating scrubs also work, they take some time to prepare.
Many exfoliating scrubs can be purchased over the counter. There are those thay may irritate your skin and does not exfoliate deep enough.
You might want to consider using Thermalabs lavender scrub exfoliator. This product does deep into your skin and stimulates blood flow, and also stimulates skin regeneration resulting to a healthier, younger glowing skin.
Since the scrub runs deep into the skin the dirt on the pores are removed preventing the growth of acne.
Skin allergy is a a concern. However, with Thermalabs lavender scrub exfoliator you dont have to worry about your skin getting irritated. It’s secret on why it will not irriate your skin is that is made from natural ingredients like sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil and calendula oil, combined with Dead Sea salts.
Moreover, with this product, you just need to exfoliate using it 24 hours before applying your tanning lotion. This ensures that your tanning lotion is absorbed deeply, and will last longer.
