Your skin is continually healing and renewing itself, and so you might be left with layers upon layers of dead skin cells all over your body. Exfoliate skin to remove these dead skin cells from your body, making way for healthy and radiant skin.
Exfoliating is recommended for acne-prone skin and others to clean up blocked pores. Acne scars can also fade quickly because of exfoliation as it speeds up skin cell turnover and increases collagen synthesis.
How to exfoliate your body naturally?
- Cleanse your skin with a normal cleanser before applying a physical exfoliator to exfoliate the skin.
- Take a quarter-sized amount of scrub and apply it in circular motions.
- Massage the scrub onto the skin for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water and wipe till pat dry with a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue.
- Afterwards, apply a hydrating mask or serum to finish off the regime.
Using a chemical exfoliant:
- Apply the chemical exfoliator all over your face, neck and body, and even on the tops of your hands.
- Leave it on for a few minutes before going onto the next stage.
- Wash your skin with a normal face and body cleanser afterwards.
- Use serum or cream once you have exfoliated.
Skin type and exfoliants:
Irrespective of your skin type, you should know how to exfoliate your face and body to get that ever-glowing skin.
- Oily skin: Exfoliate with honey, yoghurt or papaya
- Sensitive skin: Oatmeal or turmeric can be used as exfoliants
- Dry skin: Exfoliate your skin with sugar, coffee or oatmeal
How to exfoliate skin at home?
Try these easy homemade remedies according to your skin type:
1) Honey exfoliation
Honey is beneficial for the skin and healthy for the body. It hydrates and soothes the skin because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Psoriasis and other skin diseases have been treated with honey for ages in ancient medicine.
Bee's honey can be used on its own or as a component in DIY face washes. Ideally, honey should be unprocessed and organic.
Method:
- Squeeze some honey into your hands.
- Rub it on your skin for a minute.
- Leave it on for another few minutes.
- Rinse well with warm water.
2 ) Yoghurt exfoliation
Why and how to exfoliate the skin with yoghurt? Yoghurt includes lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that removes dead skin cells and aids the stimulation of new skin cells. Soothing, smoothing and evening your skin are all benefits of this exfoliation. Probiotics contained in yoghurt interact with your skin's barrier to fight infection and decrease inflammation.
Method:
- Apply 1 tablespoon of plain yoghurt on the skin.
- Let it dry for 20 minutes.
- Use clean water to wash your skin.
3 ) Sugar exfoliation
Sugar exfoliation assists to separate dead skin cells from new ones in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin. Glycolic acid, found in sugar cane, is used as a chemical exfoliation with excellent results. Dead skin may be safely and effectively removed with this method when applied carefully. People with dry skin might largely benefit from sugar scrubs.
Method:
- Make a paste made by combining raw sugar and olive oil.
- Apply it to your face and body in circular motions.
- Let it settle for 10 minutes.
- Wash it afterwards with water.
4 ) Coffee exfoliation
When rubbed on the skin, ground coffee can help remove dead skin cells and dirt effortlessly. Caffeine has been found to make skin plump and combat symptoms of ageing, notably wrinkles and dark spots. Like other physical exfoliants, finely ground coffee is unlikely to create tears or scratches on your skin.
Method:
- Combine yoghurt or coconut oil with 1/4 teaspoon of grounded coffee.
- Apply it on the skin in circular motions.
- Massage well.
- Permit to sit for five minutes before attempting to remove it with fresh water.
5 ) Papaya exfoliation
Papaya is an excellent exfoliator because of the enzyme ‘papain’. Dermal keratin in dead skin cells is dissolved by papain to smoothen your face and body. Papaya improves blood flow and increases suppleness. Ripe papayas bear better results than raw ones. Those with mixed or oily skin will benefit the most from papaya exfoliation.
Method:
- Mash papaya in a smooth and creamy texture.
- Apply it evenly to exfoliate skin and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Once it dries up, wash it clean.
Quick tips:
Do a patch test before applying any exfoliator to your face or body.
- Discontinue the use of a product or ingredient on noticing any itchiness.
- Apply ice cubes if rashes appear.
- Use a soft towel to dab the water after exfoliation.
If you use excessively abrasive items, you may cause more harm than good and if you use products that are not abrasive enough, you may not notice any effects at all. Therefore, use the best products according to your skin type to make exfoliation more effective.
Before we sign off, remember to love the skin you are in!
