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Have you ever noticed that even after you do your complete routine of moisturizing, cleansing and pampering of your skin you still feel that it hasn't got that fresh natural radiant glow. Well that is because you have been missing one step the whole time which is skin exfoliation. Exfoliation is the process of removal of old dead skin which forms the outermost layer of your skin. Usually this dead skin sheds by itself but as we grow the rate of shedding may not be able to offset the rate of accumulation of dead cells. Thus the need for a natural exfoliant arises.

Why exfoliants?

• They remove dead outer skin to reveal glowing fresh soft skin.
• They help keep pores in the skin clean.
• They improve blood circulation.
• It smoothens the skin texture.

What problems of the skin does exfoliation help mitigate?

• Clogged pores: Pores get clogged due to blocking of these pores by dead cells which leads to oil or sebum getting trapped in these pores. This clogging can be avoided by skin exfoliation.
• Blemished skin: By removing dead cells and freeing pores exfoliants prevent the build up of locations for acne causing bacteria to grow..
• Hyper-pigmentation: It evens out the skin tone by removing dark dead cells which are usually the reason for hyper-pigmentation.
• Dry skin: It removes rough dry skin to reveal the smooth glowing skin underneath.

Types of natural exfoliation

Mechanical exfoliation:

In this process the dry skin is removed by use of an abrasive exfoliant such as micro beads which when gently rubbed over skin removes all the dead cells.

Chemical exfoliation:

Here instead of using abrasives we use acids like salicylic acid and glycolic acid which dissolve the dead cells by destroying them and thus freeing the skin of its dry outer layer.

How often should you exfoliate?

This totally depends on your skin type. Thus it varies from person to person.

Normal Skin: For people with this skin type exfoliation twice a week is best as this helps cleanse the skin of dry cells while also keeping fresh.

Sensitive Skin: For this skin type use of natural exfoliants is recommended once a week so that the skin doesn't get over exfoliated and thus prevent irritation.

Oily Skin/Dry skin: This skin type requires more two exfoliations a week so as to prevent or counteract the buildup of dead cells.

Methods of exfoliation for different skins

Body Exfoliation

• Buy a body scrub or brush. When taking a bath gently use the body scrub or other natural exfoliants and rub over your body in a circular fashion.
• Gently wash off.
• Don't rub the skin dry but pat dry. Thus helps keep a layer of moisture to moisturize the new fresh layer of skin that has been revealed.

Facial Exfoliation

Sensitive Skin:

• First you have to get a natural exfoliant which is available in stores.
• Next you wet your skin with warm water.
• Gently rub the exfoliant onto your skin in a circular manner with a soft wash cloth.
• Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry
• Use a moisturizer to protect the new skin.

Natural Skin

• Get a mild facial scrub and also a natural exfoliant.
• Wet your face and gently scrub the exfoliant over your face in an even circular motion.
• Rinse, pat dry and moisturize.

Oily Skin:

• Get a mild facial scrub and also a natural exfoliant.
• Cleanse the face and then use glycolic pads to remove excess oil.
• Use the exfoliant and rub in a circular pattern.
• Rinse, pat dry and moisturize.

Thus if you want to say bye bye to your old dry skin and welcome your new radiant young skin then natural exfoliants is the best step forward. It should be used as a regular ember of your morning routine kit to get the best out of your skin so that you can have radiant glow all day.