What is Exfoliation? Are you Exfoliating Enough or Too Much?
- ashlynmilosch
- Sep 6, 2014
- 5 min read
WHY IS EXFOLIATION IMPORTANT?
Exfoliation is considered one of the most important techniques that you can perform on your skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as to achieve healthy and glowing skin. You may be cleansing, moisturizing, and slathering on the sunscreen—but if you’re not exfoliating, your skin isn’t as healthy as it could be.
WHAT IS EXFOLIATION?
Exfoliation refers to the removal of the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. Exfoliation can be performed mechanically, by using abrasive scrubs on the skin or chemically, by using scrubs that contain special kinds of acids that dissolve and remove the dead skin cells without scrubbing.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR CELLS?
Our skin cells renew every 28 to 45 days – this process slows down as we get older. The "daughter" cells are born in the deeper layers of the skin – the live tissue, also called the dermis. They then travel up to the surface of the skin and slowly die in the process – when they get to the surface, they are “dead skin cells” also called the Epidermis.
So the surface of our skin is made up of dead skin cells – once they slough off they give a message to the parent cell to “produce” another daughter cell.
When we do nothing to help this process along the dead skin cells sit on the surface and start to clump together. Our skin does not have that fresh look anymore; it looks dull and sometimes even a little grey.
DO YOU DESIRE SMOOTHER SKIN?
One way to instantly smooth the skin is to exfoliate! When you rid the skin of the surface dry skin cells, you create a smoother appearance.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ANTI-AGING?
The skin’s natural exfoliation process slows as the skin ages, resulting in an accumulation of dry skin cells. As you increase your exfoliation, you are tricking the skin into acting young again.
Our Macro Exfoliator
Reclaim your skin's radiant glow in just five minutes with the REDEFINE MACRO ExfoliatorTM. Used once a week, this hand-held, personal use exfoliation tool sweeps away dead skin cells leaving behind a smoother, healthier-looking and more luminous complexion. The proof is in the filter where you can see the dulling, dead outermost skin cells and debris that have been covering up your best skin.It features patent-pending DOC-SMARTTM technology, developed and programmed by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, to vary the degree and duration of macro-exfoliation based on facial area. So effective, the REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator is clinically proven to visibly improve skin texture after only one use.
Product contents: Rechargeable MACRO Exfoliator, MACRO Exfoliator Cooling Gels (8 Gels, 2 mL each), Charging Base, AC Adaptor, User Guide, Quick Start Guide, Tip Cleaning Brush, Spare Exfoliation Filter, Spare Filter Pads (52 pads), Tweezers
DRY SKIN?
Especially in the winter, exfoliation is very important. So often when the skin is dry, we tend to load up on heavier creams to compensate for the dryness. But dry skin means you have dry skin cell buildup. And the more you layer on the heavier creams, the more you are trying to re-hydrate dry skin cells, which makes no sense! Instead, increase your exfoliation to remove the dry skin cells, and then moisturize the new skin cells, resulting in a moister skin.
Our Micro-Dermabrasion Paste
Rodan + Fields: Enhancements Micro-Dermabrasion Paste is a product that replaces your facial cleanser 1 to 3 times a week, depending on your skin. It uses sugar and salt particles to slough off dead skin cells and leaves your skin amazingly soft. The formula's base acts as a buffer to prevent overscrubbing. It gently smooths the skin and helps facilitate cell turnover. Massage it between your fingers for a few seconds to make it more pliable, than apply it to your dry face (or body) for smooth, glowing results. It's non-irritating for most complexions.
Key Ingredients:
Sugar and salt (exfoliate); vitamins C and E (antioxidants); caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, and butylene glycol (moisturizers)
DO YOU HAVE BLEMISHED SKIN?
Exfoliation should be the main focus of a homecare program. So often, we are told to dry out the skin with harsh acne products. Although this will destroy acne-causing bacteria, it tends to dry out the skin, and this usually results in not only irritated skin but also in future breakouts. Why? Because as you over-dry the skin, you create surface dry skin cell buildup. This then acts as a barrier to trap oil in the skin, thereby starting a cycle of new breakouts.
EXFOLIATION IS NOT JUST FOR YOUR FACE?
You're covered from head to toe in skin, and that skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells. The problem is that sometimes those dead skin cells don't fall off -- they just build up and clog pores or make skin feel rough. That's why it's important to exfoliate your entire body instead of just your face. It also might help you avoid ingrown hairs by preventing dead skin cells from plugging up follicles where you've shaved or waxed. And it can help even out skin tone and keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Our ENHANCEMENTS Body Micro-Dermabrasion
ENHANCEMENTS Body Micro-Dermabrasion feels like an indulgence, but works as a therapeutic, multi-benefit skin treatment. For use in the shower or tub, this powerful micro-dermabrasion exfoliates, cleanses, and conditions skin in one invigorating step for all-over renewal and a smooth even look and feel. Harper’s Bazaar proclaims it will banish dry and flaky skin. Use two to three time per week.
Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Oxidized Polyethylene, Sodium Stearate, SD Alcohol 40-B, Cellulose Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum) , Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Green 5 (CI 61570), Tocopherol, Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
CONCERNED ABOUT FINE LINES AND YOUR LIPS?
Our lips should definitely be exfoliated once a week or every two weeks as well as our bodies. Between the cold winter months, over exposure to the sun, and not getting enough daily hydration, our lips can become not so kissable. Don't forget daily use of sunscreen as well.
Our ENHANCEMENTS Lip Micro-Dermabrasion
ENHANCEMENTS Lip Micro-Dermabrasion is an effective and convenient exfoliation stick created specifically for one of the areas of your face most prone to showing early signs of aging: your lips. It removes dead skin cells and exfoliates flaky lip tissues in just a few swipes. This easy to use, conditioning treatment makes lips look and feel more defined and youthful by renewing the surface and reducing lipstick bleeding.
Add a little Extra Love with Night Lip Serum
SUMMARY
The goal with your skin is to exfoliate as much as possible, with minimal irritation. The skin likes little boosts but not on an everyday basis. Proper exfoliation removes the barrier of dead skin cells clogging the skin and uncovers fresh new cells below. This opens the way for moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective. In short, a regular exfoliating routine will leave your skin looking fresh and healthy.
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