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How to gently exfoliate your skin this fall
By Carla Snuggs
Recently, in Posh Beauty Blog’s Fall Skincare Guide, we discussed that fall is great time to exfoliate. Start the season right with an exfoliation treatment to polish away dead summer skin. Skincare products are better absorbed and can work as intended when applied to a smooth canvas.
To learn about the various ways you can exfoliate this fall, we tapped Dr. David Bank, Board Certified Dermatologist, author of Beautiful Skin: Every Woman's Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age and Founder & Director of The Center For Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery in Mt. Kisco, NY. Here is Dr. Bank’s guide with different ways you can exfoliate.
EXFOLIATE to CORRECT DARK SPOTS
Dark sunspots, as the name implies, are caused by accumulated sun damage. They can be removed by using exfoliating agents such as Retinol, Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid or bleaching agents such as hydroquinone. The important thing to remember is to always wear sunscreen and try to stay out of the sun so they don't come back.
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EXFOLIATION FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
Look for cleansers with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. These ingredients will gentlyexfoliate skin while removing bacteria and dirt that can clog pores and form acne.
EXFOLIATION FOR ANTI-AGING
Look for cleansers with alpha-hydroxyl acid, vitamins A, B, C and E, and green tea extract. They will exfoliate skin, removing dead skin cells and help new cell growth while repairing skin damage due to environmental assaults.
EXFOLIATION FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Exfoliation is important even for those with sensitive skin. Products have been engineered to be less irritating and have softer mechanical exfoliators. Polyhydroxy acids, lactic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid can all be used on sensitive skin. Neostrata bionic face cream, gentle cleanser mixed with baking soda, or Origins Modern Friction Nature’s gentle Dermabrasion are all great products.
EXFOLIATION FOR DRY, CHAPPED LIPS
If you want to exfoliate the dead skin from dry, chapped lips, use a soft bristle tooth brush or a washcloth. Aquaphor or Vaseline can be used to improve the dryness also Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with pomegranate oil is a great option.
HOME REMEDIES FOR EVEN, SMOOTH TEXTURE
Dr. Bank suggests using an at-home peel to exfoliate the skin 1-2 times per week. If you're looking around your house for ingredients to use, coffee grounds, oatmeal, egg white, mango, papaya (other fruit), aloe, salt and sugar scrubs work well without stripping or irritating your skin.
PHYSICAL VS. CHEMICAL EXFOLIATORS
Physical exfoliation basically means removing dead skin cells physically like with a scrub of some sort. You need to be careful when physically exfoliating because some people have the tendency to go overboard. This can result in small tears in the skin and even break capillaries on some faces. Chemical exfoliation means that you are using enzymes or other agents to get rid of the dead skin cells. The most common forms of chemical exfoliation are lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic and tartaric acid.
PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS - There are a lot of different exfoliators on the market. Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash and St Ives Apricot Scrub are a few great options.
Here are some of Posh Beauty Blog’s favorite new exfoliators:
Exfoliating Products from Sublime Beauty
An excellent way to exfoliate is by using Sublime Beauty’s Glycolic-Salicylic wash and serum. They’re great for oily skin girls as they kill off bacteria and close pores at the same time as gently exfoliating. However, they are also great for aging skin (1-2 times weekly instead of daily) as they enliven skin while exfoliating and closing pores! Try Sublime Beauty Glycolic | Salicylic Serum ($34.99, Sublimebeautyshop.com and Sublime Beauty Salicylic Wash ($19.99, Sublimebeautyshop.com).
Sublime Beauty also has the most amazing skin brushes (both Body Brushes and more delicate Face Brushes). Dry Skin Brushing is an amazing way to exfoliate skin. Additional benefits include boosting blood circulation, aiding the lymphatic system, reducing cellulite and more! I love the Face Brushes. They come two in a pouch ($14.99 Sublimebeautyshop.com. And finally, we love the Citrus Scrub for gentle exfoliation. It includes tiny non-abrasive beads and a fresh formula! Gentle enough for the face, effective enough for the body! ($19.99, Sublimebeautyshop.com)
Spa Ritual instinctual Sand Scrub
Made of Ginger Essential Oil that nourishes and moisturizes the skin. A blend of fine grains of white sands from Bora Bora and Rhyolite formed from volcanic magma helps eliminate impurities and dead skin cells for a luminous complexion. Moroccan Argan Oil leaves the body feeling renewed and beautiful ($49, Sparitual.com)
Kaeng Raeng Detoxifoliant
Another wonderful skincare line I’ve discovered is Kaeng Raeng, whose goal of creating wholesome, natural foods led them to develop a companion line of body care products that provide a nourishing experience for the body, both inside and out! I am in love with their brand new body scrub, Detoxfoliant, which was recently endorsed by Lauren Conrad. It’s cruelty free and there are no preservatives, no parabens, no petroleum, no chemicals and nothing artificial. I use this daily ($36, Kaengraeng.com).
Exfoliating Products from Skin Authority
Skin Authority has some really excellent exfoliating products for face and body. I love the Exfoliating Cleanser ($44, Skinauthority.com). It cleans and hydrates with a formula that uses natural pumice and exfoliators derived from sugar cane. It also contains 3% glycolic acid - great for flaky skin which I tend to have in fall and winter. Get rid of those cracked hands and feet with Skin Authority Hand Foot Body Restoration ($65, Skinauthority.com.I love using this on my elbows and knees, the parts we often neglect.
Then, say goodbye to fine lines, dull skin and wrinkles with Skin Authority Resurfacing Accelerator ($21- $50, Skinauthority.com). It’s a leave on peel that dissolves cell build-up allows for deep penetration of nutrients which stimulate healthy cell turnover. Contains a natural AHA Glycolic Acid exfoliator derived from sugar cane (15%, pH 3.7). I like to use it every other day.
MSC Skincare Sandalwood and Cinnamon Sugar Scrub
With the weather getting colder and drier, the best skin defenses are exfoliation and moisturization. Enter MSC Skincare’s dual-action body scrubs (because who doesn't need multitasking products in their lives?!). First, they feature raw sugar to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Second, and what makes theirscrubs unique, is that they also contain nourishing shea butter and sunflower oil, which help moisturize fresh skin and prevent dryness and itchy skin. We recommend the super luxe Sandalwood and Cinnamon Sugar Scrub ($33, Mscskincare.com).
Thesis Facial Scrub West Indies with Poppy Seeds
I am enjoying Thesis’ award-winning Face Scrub West Indies which is based on organic poppy seeds, organic spices and herbs blended with premium clays. There are no preservatives, no synthetics. It's superbly purifying, exfoliating and unbelievably gentle even for sensitive skin. Ingredients: Natural, Premium Kaolin Clay, Organic Poppy Seeds, Organic Rosehips, Organic Orange Peel, Organic Allspice, Natural, Premium French Green Clay, Natural, Premium Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, Natural Baking Soda and Organic Cloves ($19.99, Thesisbeauty.com).
Kat Burki Raw Sugar Body Scrub
Trade in dry, dead skin cells for smooth, radiant and polished skin with a 100% natural Raw Sugar Body Scrub! Raw Sugar, saturated with Organic Coconut and Kukui Oils exfoliate away, while the oils restore moisture and soften skin. A fresh, clean natural scent leaves skin delicately fragranced. Body will be irresistible to the touch ($48, Katburki.com).
Some press samples were provided by the brands/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review.
What are your favorite exfoliators? Leave your comments below!
