At any age, a woman wants her skin to look as good as possible. Exfoliators and masks help your skin do just that. They are both necessary because they do two different things. Exfoliators scrub and invigorate, while facial masks calm and soothe the skin.
Also called scrubs, exfoliators are designed to "scrub" away dry or dead skin cells. Made of dried fruits, nuts, sugars, salts, and/or grains (i.e. oats, wheat, etc.), grasses and flowers, these items are finely ground for the face and coarsely ground for the body. These ground particles are added to creams, lotions, oils as well as liquid and compressed (bar) soaps.
Why Do I Need An Exfoliator?
Many people are not aware of the fact that their skin renews itself every 25 days and that ashy, flaky feeling skin is just dead skin cells that haven't been removed. The body is able to withstand larger particles and although they're not designed to be abrasive or scratch the skin, if exfoliators are used with excessive pressure - they will.
Exfoliating is necessary for polishing and allowing the skins natural oils to surface from beneath those dead cells; thereby keeping the skin soft and smooth. Exfoliators should be used by men and women. Most men regularly remove or exfoliate the dead skin on the lower halves of their faces - while shaving. So, the top half could benefit from weekly exfoliating.
What Do They Do?
Exfoliators polish and remove the dead cells that prevent your natural oils (that the skin produces) from coming to the surface. With proper use, facial exfoliators also polish the skin which, along with your natural oil, is needed for keeping the skin smooth and soft. Facial exfoliators are purposely designed to clean out pores without enlarging or irritating them.
How Do I Use Exfoliators?
If your skin type is combination, a lotion exfoliator will work best; for dry skin, cream based products are more effective; if you have sensitive skin, look for a baking soda based scrub, they're more gentle and for those with oily skin, gel based products work best for you. While your face is still wet, place a teaspoon of your exfoliator on your wet face cloth.
Gently scrub your face and neck for about 30 seconds, using circular motions. Thoroughly rinse to remove granules and use a clean towel to pat the area dry. Follow with your toner, eye cream or gel and moisturizers.
Women often believe that scrubbing longer or more often than recommended will result in better looking skin; it doesn't and it could make your skin extremely dry. Companies formulate their products to respond to the recommended time that will give the best resultsExfoliator directions usually recommend a twice weekly use, so if you follow the directions, you'll enjoy the benefits of your home facial. - 15255
Also called scrubs, exfoliators are designed to "scrub" away dry or dead skin cells. Made of dried fruits, nuts, sugars, salts, and/or grains (i.e. oats, wheat, etc.), grasses and flowers, these items are finely ground for the face and coarsely ground for the body. These ground particles are added to creams, lotions, oils as well as liquid and compressed (bar) soaps.
Why Do I Need An Exfoliator?
Many people are not aware of the fact that their skin renews itself every 25 days and that ashy, flaky feeling skin is just dead skin cells that haven't been removed. The body is able to withstand larger particles and although they're not designed to be abrasive or scratch the skin, if exfoliators are used with excessive pressure - they will.
Exfoliating is necessary for polishing and allowing the skins natural oils to surface from beneath those dead cells; thereby keeping the skin soft and smooth. Exfoliators should be used by men and women. Most men regularly remove or exfoliate the dead skin on the lower halves of their faces - while shaving. So, the top half could benefit from weekly exfoliating.
What Do They Do?
Exfoliators polish and remove the dead cells that prevent your natural oils (that the skin produces) from coming to the surface. With proper use, facial exfoliators also polish the skin which, along with your natural oil, is needed for keeping the skin smooth and soft. Facial exfoliators are purposely designed to clean out pores without enlarging or irritating them.
How Do I Use Exfoliators?
If your skin type is combination, a lotion exfoliator will work best; for dry skin, cream based products are more effective; if you have sensitive skin, look for a baking soda based scrub, they're more gentle and for those with oily skin, gel based products work best for you. While your face is still wet, place a teaspoon of your exfoliator on your wet face cloth.
Gently scrub your face and neck for about 30 seconds, using circular motions. Thoroughly rinse to remove granules and use a clean towel to pat the area dry. Follow with your toner, eye cream or gel and moisturizers.
Women often believe that scrubbing longer or more often than recommended will result in better looking skin; it doesn't and it could make your skin extremely dry. Companies formulate their products to respond to the recommended time that will give the best resultsExfoliator directions usually recommend a twice weekly use, so if you follow the directions, you'll enjoy the benefits of your home facial. - 15255
About the Author:
Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has worked to enhance the faces of more than 15,000 women. The facts in this piece were taken from the book "Skin Care for Moms & Other Working Women". Visit Andi's bookstore for this and 17 additional age specific, stroke by stroke, illustrated makeup and skin care books. Affordable makeup and skin care books.
