Why Exfoliation Is So Important

Beauty Kuel Category Expert: Michele Fieldson

Exfoliation is often overlooked in our skin care routine but is so important for giving us that dewy, fresh-faced glow.

“You keep reapplying moisturizer, and nothing seems to make a difference.”

Exfoliation sloughs off the dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface. Accumulating dead skin cells can result in clogged pores, dull, sluggish-looking, and flaky skin.

As we age, cell regeneration slows down compounding the problem even more. You’ve no doubt experienced occasions where your moisturizer or serum doesn’t seem to be doing anything. Those products you were so happy with just seem to be sitting on your face doing nothing productive – at all. You keep reapplying moisturizer, and nothing seems to make a difference.

These dead skin cells are providing a barrier that isn’t allowing your products to reach past that outer layer. This prevents your skin care products from penetrating more deeply into your skin.

Two Different Types Of Exfoliation

There are different ways of exfoliating, depending on skin type and how aggressive you want to be.

1. Mechanical or physical exfoliation, which requires gentle rubbing to dislodge dead skin cells.
2. Chemical exfoliation relies on acids to dissolve and loosen the skin cells.

Chemical exfoliation can range from mild at-home scrubs to medical-level professional peels. These typically involve AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) and PHAs (poly-hydroxy acids). Be aware, some scrubs are far too harsh for the face. Avoid scrubs with such ingredients as nut shells, pumice, and sea salt. Those are best used in body scrubs.

What Is The Difference In The Three Acids?

AHAs, typically glycolic acid, lactic acid, fruit-acid blends, work on the skin’s surface and are ideal for dry to normal and sun-damaged skin.  AHAs love water and enhance moisturizing benefits.

BHAs, commonly salicylic acid, are ideal for oily or blemish-prone skin and enlarged pores.   

PHAs do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs or BHAs, but they are less irritating and ideal for those with highly sensitive skin. 

If you’re looking for an at home solution that is great for sensitive skin, I encourage you to try our spa-quality Exfoliating Lemon Tart Whip. It is suitable for all skin types. Made with jojoba beads, it gently exfoliate and is kind to the most sensitive of skin. In addition, vitamins and nourishing plant oils smooth, hydrate and nourish your skin.

“Just because you can’t get to a spa doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself.”

Do It Yourself

Just because you can’t get to a spa doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself. The zesty lemon fragrance invigorates and calms the weary soul, offering a much-needed respite from a world in overdrive. Refresh, replenish, relax and say hello to velvety soft, radiantly glowing skin, all from the comfort of your home.

About the Author:

Michele Fieldson feels most centered when she’s beachside. Here she finds a place of tranquility and calm. One of her favorite spots is a trip to her local dog beach (pre-COVID, that is). At age 59, Michele became an entrepreneur, launching her skincare line, Laurmé Skin Care. Her goal with her business was to help women who also struggle with skin sensitivities by offering products that focus on returning nourishment and radiance to their complexion, using only the most gentle, nontoxic ingredients for long-term skin health. You can find Michele at Laurmé Skin Care or @laurmeskincare on SM. You can purchase Michele’s skincare line in the Kuel Life Shop!