Good Skin Care Element#2:
Skin Exfoliation
Your Best Step To Fresh Radiant Skin

Skin exfoliation: A naturally occurring physiological process whereby dead surface skin cells, naturally slough off, and reveal new skin cells. 

Sounds like something you don't have to think about...

However, although a natural process, this process can sometimes need assistance AND is almost always improved with assistance.

Natural skin exfoliation sometimes needs assistance. 

For example, when the skin type is oily, the skin has difficulty exfoliating or sloughing off the dead skin cells, due to the sticky nature of oil. 

When the skin type is dry, dead skin accumulates quickly creating a dull appearance to the skin, in addition to, inhibiting effective natural skin exfoliation and needed moisture absorption.  

Or, even aging skin will slow down in its cellular renewal process.

Unless you have exceptionally sensitive skin, very mature skin, or a skin disorder of some kind, you will benefit greatly from regular skin exfoliation.

Exfoliating the skin...

The objective of exfoliating is to remove dead cells from the skin's surface which will result in skin with a fresh healthy glow. Regular exfoliation over time, will increase the skin's capacity to absorb moisture, reduce fine lines and diminish acne.

Skin exfoliation is an irritating process that actually, is beneficial to most skin types. However, it can be quite challenging to determine the fine line between good irritation as a result of exfoliation and aggravated, inflamed skin. The best route is to be fairly clear on your skin type, and then follow up with skin type recommended exfoliation from a reliable resource.

Manual Exfoliation

Exfoliating can be done can be done manually using a mildly abrasive product such as a silk mitt, a soft washcloth, a "scrub" or exfoliating mask.  But even better, is to chemically exfoliate your skin.

Often manual skin exfoliation products are just too irritating to the skin i.e.. scrubs, loofahs, buffing creams, masks and even washcloths. 

At the present time, there are some great chemical exfoliates which are more thorough, less irritating and less damaging to the skin than manual exfoliates.

In addition, chemical skin exfoliation is not part of the wet cleansing process. Chemical exfoliates are in fact, gels, lotions and creams that are used daily, after the skin has been cleansed and dried. They also need to be followed daily by an excellent sunscreen since chemical skin exfoliation will sensitize skin to the sun (skin by its nature is already very sun sensitive).

When choosing a product with AHA or BHA, try to do your homework because expense does not necessarily dictate effectiveness.

Here are a few product suggestions: AHA Products: One company that generally produces excellent affordable AHA products is Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Creme, Anti-Wrinkle Exfoliant for all skin types, except those with very sensitive skin.   Also consider this highly rated product that for the first two weeks is left on for 20 minutes, then washed off Total Skin Care Glycolic Gel

One of Allure Magazine Editor's Favorite is Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel AHA Enzyme Treatment (12% Glycolic Acid) .

BHA Products:

BHA products tend to focus on problems related to breakouts, and good BHA products are fewer in number, to choose from. A highly recommended BHA product line is called Cellex-C Beta Plex. This extensive line has cleansers, creams like this Cellex-C Betaplex New Complexion Cream, serums, skin type specific items and more.

A combination of both AHA and BHA is M.D. Skin Care Alpha-Beta Peel Home Facial System.