Exfoliation, both an omnipresent and a misunderstood term in modern skincare, is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. When done correctly, it visibly improves your skin complexion through revealing new and healthy skin cells. Exfoliation is especially important as we age given that skin turnover slows down overtime, causing dead skin cells to build up. There are three types of exfoliation, which should be chosen depending on skin type and/or concerns:
Physical Exfoliation Probably the most traditional of the three, this method involves using small granules or brushes to manually scrub dead skin cells. It should be noted that all ingredients are not created equal. Some products contain harsher physical exfoliants such as ground nuts and volcanic rock which can be abrasive to all skin types. Nina’s body scrubs are made of sugars, which gently exfoliate while dissolving.
Chemical Exfoliation Chemical exfoliation uses certain acids that combine with lipids in the outermost layer of the skin and break down its sugars, which causes the cells of the epidermis to loosen and shed. Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Retinol (Vitamin A) both function as excellent chemical exfoliants.
Enzymatic Exfoliation This is definitely the ultimate option for sensitive skin, given that it is the most mild of the three. Although enzymes work the same way as acids — break down sugars in the skin — enzymes do so at a much slower pace, allowing for a much gentler exfoliation and gradual skin regeneration.
In addition to deciding what type of exfoliation is most suitable for your skin, deciding on what product generates your most desired results is probably something you are also concerned about. The tricky thing about exfoliators is that many of them end up being too harsh on your skin, which is why LaBruna Skin Care’s Enzymatic Exfoliator might be an excellent one to give a try. The product’s ingredient list boasts pumpkin pulp, papaya and pineapple enzymes, glycolic acid, green tea extract, avocado oil, and many more. The natural blend readily loosens dead skin cells, cleans pores, and leaves the skin feeling smooth and radiant. If you have sensitive skin, you may experience temporary redness after application. Make sure to apply Nina’s Nourishing Face Oil to reduce redness. Because skin is sometimes left “extra clean” following exfoliation, that limited time period should be used wisely because it is one during which you can truly make the most out of your routine. For instance, you can try using a serum whose effects will be extra potent given that its contents will penetrate the skin more smoothly, generating an instant vitamin boost. Or, if your skin feels like it needs more hydration rather than vitamins, you can replenish some of the oils lost during exfoliation by applying Nina’s Nourishing Face Oil or our Cucumber Reparative Creme.
Focusing on your skin is great but remember that your entire body, not just your face, is made up of billions of skin cells all of which require equal amounts of attention. That said, body exfoliation is crucial as scrubbing prevents dead skin cells from building up and clogging the pores, enabling body oils and lotions to penetrate the skin properly.
By this point, you might be pondering about which body scrub to use — there are way too many options out there! Beyond that, when it comes to our bodies, we tend to be a lot more open to experimentation, not being afraid of sampling unfamiliar ingredients, which further complicates the problem. In that case, try using any of the four body polishes by LaBruna Skincare. Nina’s handmade Moringa Rose Detox Body Polish is infused with Vitamin C, shea butter, gooseberry, goji and moringa oils, leaving skin feeling soft, polished, and rejuvenated. Meanwhile, the St. John’s Wort Smoothing Body Polish consists of a unique blend of sugar, dried herbs, oils (including St. John’s Wort, Baoba and Perilla) as well as aromatic lavender rosemary. A particularly revitalizing and antioxidant-rich polish is the Gooseberry Antioxidant Body Polish with Geranium Calendula — a must try! It is packed with Moringa, Seabuckthorn, Calendula and Passionfruit, just to mention a few. Lastly, the Citrus Mineral Body Polish is an enticing blend of salt from the Dead Sea, Brown Sugar and Kaolin Clay from the mountains of China; its exclusive ingredients boost hydration by fortifying the skin’s lipid barrier and accelerating skin regeneration.
Although regular exfoliation is a great skincare habit to have, it is imperative that you do not overdo it. This is one of those typical moments in skincare when you are told to use a product that has all the supposed benefits but that also comes with a laundry list of “ifs” and “buts.” In this case, exfoliation comes with a big But because over-exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils, resulting in breakouts and irritation. Specifically, if you are removing the top layer of your skin faster than it can heal, the skin can become thin and experience premature aging overtime. Additionally, when the exfoliating substance penetrates too deeply into your skin, it can damage the lipid bilayer, causing swelling. So how does one ensure to not do too much or too little? Well, it is generally recommended that one exfoliates two to three times a week for normal/combination skin and once a week for dry/sensitive skin.
The “listen to your skin” mantra is still relevant to exfoliation because some skin types and/or conditions actually suffer from it. Particularly, if you are someone who is experiencing inflammation, acne, or rosacea then you might want to leave exfoliation out of your skincare routine.
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Tomiris Issayeva
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