Why exfoliate?
The leaves will soon be falling from the trees; our dead skin, however, will stay stuck to our faces if we don’t exfoliate.
Exfoliation is the key to beauty success. This step is crucial not only for a radiant complexion and hydrated skin, but also to make sure the creams and serums we apply act and work for us. Basically, let’s be frank: without exfoliating our skin, even the most miraculous and expensive cream in existence won’t have the desired effect, since it will stay on the surface of our skin without penetrating the epidermis.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is a mechanical, chemical or enzymatic action that aims to deep-clean the epidermis. This cleansing oxygenates the skin by removing dead skin, softens the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pigment spots, and also maximizes the penetration of the active ingredients in the products applied to the face. Exfoliants are also known as scrubs, polishes or peels.
Mechanical exfoliation works by friction, meaning that rubbing the skin dislodges dead cells. The main components of this type of exfoliation are often microbeads, sea salts or crushed fruit pits; however, the one we prefer is made from bamboo fibres, which are less irritating.
Chemical exfoliation works by dissolving dead cells through the action of key ingredients such as salicylic acid, retinol and fruit enzymes. You therefore apply the exfoliant and leave it on for a few minutes. For combination or oily skin, chemical exfoliants are recommended. This avoids stimulating sebum production by irritating the sebaceous glands with an overly abrasive treatment.
Enzymatic exfoliation, as its name says, works through the action of enzymes such as subtilisin or fruit enzymes, for example. These enzymes act like little “Pac-Men” that gently eliminate dead cells. This type of exfoliation is ideal for sensitive skin. Apply and leave on for a few minutes.
How often should you exfoliate?
Our skin cells renew themselves every 28 days; however, for maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to exfoliate one to three times a week. First, it is essential to remove your makeup with a cleansing milk or gel, then apply a toning lotion. Next, exfoliate, either in the shower if the exfoliant is mechanical, or while listening to good music or watching a good show if it needs to be left on for a while.
When is the right time to exfoliate your face?
Whatever the time of day, the right time to exfoliate your face is when your makeup is removed and your skin is completely clean. Afterwards, apply your serum, followed by your eye contour cream and your day or night cream.
Exfoliant suggestions:
YonKa: Guarana Scrub or Gommage
GM Collin: Exfozyme, Phyto-Aromatic Scrub, Active Exfoliating Powder and Intensive Exfoliating Gel
And when should you get a professional treatment?
In the fall, getting a professional treatment is a must, since the sun and the sunscreen used, especially in summer, speed up the build-up of dead skin. So an in-salon peel followed by a facial is the best solution for beautiful skin in the fall.
Professionals all agree that two professional treatments a year, in the fall and in the spring, allow the skin to survive, while one treatment per season is the best upkeep you can give your face to make it glow. Of course, one treatment a month is the ultimate and keeps your skin at its best.