Before discussing the importance of exfoliation, we must understand what it does. It aims at removing dead skin from its outer layer. This is usually a natural process, but exfoliating helps to make it quicker and more frequent.
Importance of exfoliating:
- Helps to reduce breakouts: Exfoliating helps to minimize blackheads by unclogging pores. However, it is important to not use strong chemical exfoliators if you have blemish-prone or acne-prone skin, and to scrub gently. Stick to a twice a week routine, making sure to use a gentle moisturizer after exfoliating. Do keep in mind that exfoliating might aggravate acne, so if your skin has acne, then take it slow with the exfoliation.
- Makes your skincare routine more effective: Since the main function of exfoliating is to get rid of the layer of dead skin and unclog pores, this helps any other skincare products you use to penetrate into your skin, such as serums. Since exfoliation removes dead skin cells, there is usually concern about it removing natural oils from the face and making it dry. However, it is most probably the opposite- because of the dead skin, any other skincare products you apply will not be able to seep into your skin.
- Helps in removing sunspots: Exfoliating may help in removing sunspots because the pigment in the living cells is moved to the dead cells. Since exfoliating helps in removing dead cells, this pigment may also get removed. However, this may take some time and the right products.
Since you now know about the importance of exfoliation, here are two homemade exfoliators.
- Oats and Almond face mask
Take two tablespoons of oats and four almonds and crush it in a food processor. Then add one tablespoon of yogurt, or just enough to make it a paste. Apply and scrub this on your face after washing it with a mild face wash. Rinse with warm water after leaving it on for a few minutes.
2. Brown Sugar and Coconut Oil Mask
Mix a tablespoon of brown sugar with coconut oil to make a thick paste. Apply it to your face and scrub gently. Rise off with warm water after a few minutes.
Exfoliating is essential to maintain healthy skin and unclog pores. The masks described above are two easy facemasks to make with easily available items. However, it is important to patch test the scrubs on your hand before applying it to the skin, in order to make sure that it does not cause any allergic reactions.
Click here to read my post on how to prevent dry hands.
