Exfoliation is an important step in skincare, particularly for facial skin, as it improves skin texture, reduces clogged pores, acne, and increases blood circulation to the skin's surface. Despite its many benefits, facial exfoliation should not be done too frequently, as it can damage and irritate the skin.

Knowing the two types of facial exfoliation

To begin, you should understand that there are two primary methods for exfoliating the skin:

• Mechanical exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells with the use of a tool or scrub containing fine granules such as sugar, salt, seeds, or other particles that are manually rubbed into the skin
  Chemical exfoliation is the gentle removal of dead skin cells using chemicals like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), or fruit enzymes

Read more: Characteristics Of Dry Skin And Common Skin Problems

How to safely exfoliate your face at home

Everyone has their own preferences for exfoliation methods. However, you must understand how to properly exfoliate your face at home. According to dermatologists, these are the recommended ways:

Choosing the right method

Before exfoliating your face, make sure the method you use is appropriate for your skin type. Chemical exfoliation is best suited for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Chemical-based products, such as AHA and BHA, remove dead skin cells gently and without causing physical friction. This helps to reduce irritation on sensitive skin.

Oily and thick skin, on the other hand, can benefit from mechanical exfoliation to remove excess oil buildup and dead skin cells.

Choosing an exfoliating product

The next step is to select the appropriate exfoliating product. Certain ingredients, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, can make the skin more sensitive and prone to excessive flaking. It's better to choose products like AHA or BHA that are gentler on the skin.

Do it gently

Exfoliating should be done gently, whether mechanically or chemically. To avoid damaging the skin's natural protection, use small circular motions and light strokes, and avoid applying too much pressure. Also, pay attention to how your skin reacts while exfoliating. If you feel any irritation, redness or burning sensation, then stop immediately and rinse the skin with clean water.

Read more: Characteristics and Problems With Oily Skin

Keep your skin moisturized

After exfoliating, apply a moisturizer to restore and maintain skin moisture. Without enough moisture, exfoliation will leave the skin dry, rough, and even irritated.

Furthermore, well-hydrated skin is better able to maintain pH balance and combat environmental factors that can harm it.

Finding the right schedule

Skin undergoes changes and routines due to weather or season so the need to exfoliate is not always the same. Because colder weather causes dry skin, you should reduce the frequency of exfoliation. In hotter weather, however, the skin becomes more oily, necessitating an increase in the frequency of exfoliation.

If you are unsure about exfoliating at home, you can consult a dermatologist or go to a professional beauty clinic.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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