Help Me Choose: Exfoliating Skin Care

     

    What Is Exfoliation?

     

    For some people, exfoliation is an important part of a skin care regimen to achieve healthy, radiant skin.

    Depending on age, it takes about a month for newly formed skin cells to make their way to the surface. As you age, this process starts to slow and cell turnover can take as long as 6 to 8 weeks for someone in their 60s or 70s. When old skin cells build up, it can result in a rough, dry, flaky, dull complexion.

    Fortunately, gentle exfoliation can help accelerate this process clearing the path for glowing, healthy skin.

    Although soap will remove dirt and excess oil, soap alone cannot remove all of the excess dead cells.

    Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, deep cleans the skin, unclogs pores, removes dirt and makeup residue, helps reduce acne breakouts, encourages new cell growth and stimulates blood flow to the skin’s surface for a fresh, healthy glow. Exfoliation will allow your moisturizers to penetrate deeper and improve the moisture level of your skin.

    There are different methods for exfoliation. Your skin type should determine which method you use and how often you exfoliate. For certain skin conditions, including rosacea, exfoliation is not usually recommended. If you have a chronic skin condition please always consult your health care provider.

    We sell many products and accessories that will help exfoliate your body, face, and feet.

     


    Recommended Products for Exfoliating

     

    Signs That Skin Needs Exfoliating

    • You have dry, flaky skin
    • Your skin looks dull, lifeless and lackluster
    • Your skin care products are no longer working
    • You have scaly patches or bumpy skin
    • You have breakouts or your pores look clogged
    • Your forehead, cheeks, and chin are extra oily
    • Your skin feels rough

    Most importantly LOOK at your skin and LISTEN to your skin!

    Help with Exfoliation

     

    HOW OFTEN TO EXFOLIATE

    Knowing when to exfoliate is crucial so you don't dry out your face or irritate your skin.

    Natural Organic Facial Sugar ScrubHow often you need to exfoliate depends on your skin type, but one or two times a week seems to be the standard for most.

    Remember the purpose of exfoliating is to remove excess dead skin cells. You do not want to scrub so hard that you are removing healthy cells, which will leave your skin red and sore.

    Oily skin: exfoliate once or twice a week
    Dry skin: exfoliate once a week
    Mature skin: exfoliate once a week

    You may be wondering, "How Do I Know If I Need To Exfoliate?" Here is a simple test you can do yourself to see if you have dead dry skin cells on the surface of your skin.

    • Take a piece of clear tape and apply it to your forehead, forearm, or leg
    • Rub it gently for 2-3 seconds and remove
    • Look at the tape. If there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

     

    WHEN TO EXFOLIATE

    When to Exfoliate

    According to some experts, the best time of day to exfoliate your skin is at night before bed.  This allows skin to repair and regenerate while you sleep, making the most of the natural skin renewal process that happens overnight.

    However, the ideal time can vary depending on your skin type and personal preference. 

    For more comprehensive info on Exfoliation, read our blog, "The Nitty Gritty of Exfoliation"

     

    HOW TO EXFOLIATE

    Coconut Lime Hand and Foot Sugar ScrubRub your exfoliating product firmly but gently on wet skin in a circular motion.

    Sensitive facial skin should be scrubbed gently, while the skin on your torso can be scrubbed a bit harder.

    The sensitive area around the eyes does not need and should not be exfoliated. 

    Since skin oils tend to hold on to dead skin cells, people with oily skin may need to exfoliate more often.

    Exfoliating is part of a skin care routine. You should be cleansing before you exfoliate, and moisturizing afterward. Your skincare needs may change with the seasons and as you exfoliate more regularly.

     

    OILY OR DRY SKIN?

    Acne and Oily Skin

    If you have acne-prone or very oily skin you may think you need to exfoliate often. But, washing your face too much and over-exfoliating will dry out the skin. 

    Organic Adzuki Bean Micrograin Face ScrubThe sebaceous glands react to this excess dryness by producing even more oil which ultimately causes more breakouts to occur. So, we suggest exfoliating once or twice a week.

     

    Dry Skin

    Exfoliating is especially beneficial during winter. Dry winter air can cause a buildup of dead skin cells and exacerbate skin dryness. Also by removing the barrier of dead skin cells, exfoliation allows moisturizers to penetrate deeper into the skin, maximizing their hydrating effects. 

    When our skin feels dry we too often slather on heavy creams to compensate for the dryness. But dry skin flaky skin can indicate a build-up of dead, dry skin cells. Why would you want to moisturize these dry, dead skin cells that are trying to leave? 

    A great product for dry facial skin in need of exfoliation is our gentle Adzuki Bean Scrub.

     

    SUPER SIMPLE GENTLE EXFOLIATION

    Super Simple Gentle ExfoliationYou may not realize it, but simple exfoliation occurs every time you wash your face, from the friction of gently rubbing your skin with a washcloth or even your hands.

    We have natural soaps that we call "exfoliating" soaps, but we also have many soaps that contain ingredients that provide gentle exfoliation.

    Rubbing a simple soap bar containing botanicals or clays can help remove dead skin cells.

     

    SOME NOTES

    Skin does not need harsh scrubs or aggressive products for glowing skin.

    Chagrin Valley face and body sugar scrubs are a moisturizing treat, blending nourishing oils and butters with a medley of fine and coarse grain sugars and honey.

    Depending on the type of exfoliation used, moisturizer may be needed. Remember, moisturizers hydrate best when dead cells have just been scrubbed away.

    We advise against using exfoliating products that contain sharp nuts, shells, pits, or hard grains. They are generally considered too abrasive and can cause micro-tears on the skin, leading to irritation, redness, and potential damage to your skin barrier. 

    If you are sure whether or not you to exfoliate, try the tape test mentioned above. Look at the surface of your skin. Do you see clogged pores, dryness, or roughness?

    Facial skin should be treated delicately, using very little pressure and small textured granules. Since facial skin may already be inflamed due to acne breakouts, NEVER use harsh facial scrubs on blemished skin, and NEVER use any facial scrub aggressively on blemished skin. Simple exfoliation occurs every time you wash your face from the friction of rubbing your skin with your hands, washcloth, or gentle facial pad.

    For more detailed information on the types of exfoliation please read our blog, The Nitty Gritty of Exfoliation.

    Things to Avoid When Exfoliating

     

    SYNTHETIC EXFOLIANT MICROBEADS

    Exfoliating microbeads were recently banned from from rinse-off cosmetics by mid-2017. Microbeads are made of plastic, do not biodegrade and are polluting the oceans, groundwater, waterways and aquatic life. There are still products out there that contain these plastic spheres--so beware!

    HARSH EXFOLIANTS

    Avoid using scrubs that contain pulverized nutshells and fruit pits, like apricot kernels, which often have sharp edges that can tear delicate skin which can lead to skin irritation and inflammation.

    Harsh acid scrubs will irritate already sensitive skin. Salts scrubs are best left for the body since they are a too harsh and drying for the face.

     


    Recommended Products for Exfoliating

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which clay mask do I use if my skin is dry, oily and normal?
    Facial-Clays-Skin-Types

    Our face has different zones in which the skin can vary in thickness, texture, pore size and the number of oil-producing glands.

    Each zone may have very different needs and require individual attention.

    So, what happens if you have multiple facial skin issues, like dryness, oily spots, and blemishes?

    The answer is Multi-Masking . . .


    What is Multi-Masking

    Multi-masking is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of applying one face mask over your entire face, you apply different masks to different areas of the face in order to treat multiple skincare concerns at the same time.

    For more information please read our blog Multi-Masking and Targeted Application For Combination Facial Skin

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    People with severe allergies—please note: If you have severe anaphylactic-type reactions to ANY of the ingredients in ANY of our products, please do not buy our products. We have dedicated soap rooms and product rooms that are kept meticulously clean, but we cannot guarantee against possible cross-contamination of individual ingredients.

    Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft is not responsible for any individual reaction to any particular ingredient. Each product description on our website includes a complete list of ingredients. People with sensitivities to any listed ingredient should not use the product. In case you are in doubt always try an allergy patch test and if at any time irritation occurs, discontinue use of the product.

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    The content and information on this website, provided by The Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company, is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended and should not be construed as medical advice to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The information regarding folklore or health-related benefits of certain ingredients is for educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice.

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