Sooner or later everyone has to deal with dead skin. In fact, nearly all of them shed about one million skin cells per day. In any case, if the situation is getting out of hand, especially on the face and feet (two of the areas most affected by this process), there are many solutions to try. By exfoliating your skin and taking steps to prevent the problem in the future, you can have healthy, glowing, fresh and smooth skin for a long time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Exfoliate the Face
Step 1. Soak a towel in warm water
Gently place it on your face and leave it on for 1 or 2 minutes. This will allow you to dilate the pores and prepare the skin for exfoliation. Exfoliating is one of the most effective ways to get rid of dead skin cells.
Step 2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser
After leaving the warm towel on, the next step is to wash your face with a neutral product, the same one you probably already use daily to take care of your skin. Cleansing your face can help you open pores further and prepare your skin better for exfoliation to be even more effective.
- After washing, gently pat your skin dry with a towel. Proceed gently and do not rub, so as not to damage it.
- You could try standing in front of a fan to dry your body, especially the parts that are more difficult to reach.
Step 3. Try mechanical exfoliation
There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical. The first is to manually use a tool that eliminates dead cells by exerting a certain pressure on the skin. Some of the most used means for this are exfoliating pads and microdermabrasion kits.
- Several brands of skin care products offer home microdermabrasion kits.
- They generally contain an abrasive cream or scrub associated with a special applicator.
- Sometimes they have a microdermabrasion cloth that has particularly rough fibers, designed to eliminate dead cells.
- Online and in cosmetic stores you can find different kits with microdermabrasion cloths.
- An example is the "Olay Regenerist - Microdermabrasion and Peel System" kit
Step 4. Try chemical exfoliation
There are several products to perform this procedure. You should consult a beautician or a dermatologist to find out which one is best for you. In any case, if you can't afford a professional visit, read the product labels carefully to choose the one that best suits your skin.
- After washing and gently drying your face, carefully apply the exfoliant. Massage it all over your face, making sure you cover the entire surface.
- Gently massage it into your skin. Try making circular movements with your fingers. Do not rub, so as not to inadvertently damage the epidermis.
- Once the application on the face is completed, many people continue on the neck. If you want, you can also exfoliate this area.
- Some of the more popular chemical exfoliants include glycolic acid and lactic acid peels. The acidic composition of these products is one of the reasons they are so effective.
- Chemical exfoliation is usually more effective than mechanical exfoliation (especially considering the long-term results), as it can access deeper layers of the skin. It works by breaking down chemical bonds, which in turn melts dead cells and makes their elimination much more immediate.
Step 5. After exfoliating, wash your face with water and gently pat it dry with a towel
Let the air dry for 5 minutes, then finish the treatment by applying a moisturizer.
Moisturizers are typically recommended for taking care of the skin on a daily basis. They help prevent premature aging and brighten the skin, making it look healthier
Step 6. Remember that you can exfoliate other parts of the body as well
Basically, you can follow the same procedure for any other area (excluding sensitive areas and mucous membranes). In any case, the parts that are exfoliated the most with this method are the face and neck. In fact, being the most visible externally, their aesthetics are often of primary importance.
Try to find body scrubs that are designed to exfoliate the rest of the body and not the face
Step 7. Try making an all-natural mixture with ingredients you already have at home
It is not always necessary to buy an exfoliant. In fact, it's easy to make creams, peels and scrubs at home if you prefer a more natural approach. Here are two simple recipes:
- Sugar and oil scrub. Mix equal parts of sugar (white, cane or muscovado) and any cooking oil (such as olive, grape seed, and so on). You will get an inexpensive and effective scrub. Massage it into your skin to exfoliate it, then rinse it off with soap and water. Add a spoonful of honey and a few drops of lemon to make it even richer.
- Moisturizing face mask with Greek yogurt and papaya enzyme. Mix half a cup of Greek yogurt and 3 tablespoons of papaya puree. Apply the mixture to your face or body and leave it on for 15-30 minutes. Remove it and rinse your skin.
Method 2 of 3: Refresh the Feet
Step 1. First, take a foot bath
Fill a basin with warm or hot water and let your feet soak for 5-10 minutes. This will soften the calluses and prepare the skin for exfoliation.
- You can add extra virgin olive oil to the water to further soften the corns.
- After the foot bath, pat your feet dry with a towel.
Step 2. Try using a brush for mechanical exfoliation
Grab a brush (you can buy a special brush at a beauty shop) and massage it into the soles of your feet in gentle circular motions. Focus mainly on your heels and other areas where the skin is thick or dead. It is an effective method of eliminating dead skin cells.
In addition to the brush, you can use a foot file or an electric exfoliator. You can also try an exfoliating cream designed specifically for the feet
Step 3. Use a pumice stone
If some areas are particularly rough, such as calluses, pumice stone is effective for exfoliating and eliminating dead skin cells.
Be sure to wash the pumice stone after use. Before using it again, let it air dry
Step 4. Complete the treatment by moisturizing the soles of your feet
After exfoliation, using a moisturizing product can help you optimally protect your skin and keep it healthy for longer. Wear socks to avoid slipping when you walk.
Step 5. Get a pedicure
If you don't want to do it yourself, you can always turn to a professional. During the pedicure they will let you soak your feet and cut your nails. Some use dermabrasion only to smooth the hardest spots, others use a razor blade to remove the dead skin layer instead. They can also remove any calluses.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Dead Skin Formation
Step 1. Apply the creams in generous quantities
Usually, the skin secretes sebum to keep itself soft, healthy and hydrated. However, if this greasy matter is abruptly eliminated or a factor arises that interferes with its production, the skin can dry out, crack and split. To soothe dry skin, apply a moisturizing cream or conditioner often. These products allow you to keep the skin hydrated by creating an oily or greasy layer. In case of particularly dry skin, the cream must be applied every day. For example, try keeping a bottle near the kitchen and bathroom sink so you can put it in after each wash.
In general, the denser the product, the more it will help replenish hydration. As a result, full-bodied creams, conditioners, and butters are usually more effective than light, watery lotions. However, they can sometimes leave you with an unpleasant greasy feeling. Try a few products to find out which one is right for you
Step 2. Cover up in cold weather
In many parts of the world, winter is synonymous with cold, dry and freezing air outside, dry and warm air indoors (due to heating). When combined, these conditions can be quite aggressive to the skin, causing dryness, cracking and irritation. One of the best ways to protect her in the winter is to cover her with long-sleeved shirts, pants, and so on. The less she is exposed to dry, cold air, the less she will have to deal with the consequences of dehydration.
Step 3. Avoid overdoing stronger abrasives, such as pumice stone and stiff brushes
They are sometimes effective in removing stubborn buildups of dead skin cells. However, if used too often (or on sensitive skin), they can redden and irritate the skin, making it vulnerable to long-term dryness and inflammation. If you experience pain or redness after exfoliation, stop for a few days, then switch to a gentler exfoliant.
For example, if the stiff bristle brush you use in the shower has irritated your skin, try replacing it with a mild cloth, which should allow you to exfoliate your skin much more gently
Step 4. Avoid taking long, hot showers
Hot water will also be relaxing, but it deprives the skin of sebum and makes it more prone to drying out. To avoid this, adjust the water to a lukewarm temperature and limit the duration of the shower, without exceeding 10 minutes. The colder (and shorter) it is, the less risk of drying the skin you will run.
- The same principle applies to the bathroom: it should be as short and cold as possible. You also need to avoid bubble bath or soap-based bubble baths (except those with moisturizing properties), as they can remove protective sebum.
- After the bath, pat the skin with a towel (without rubbing). Scrubbing can remove the protective sebum that has melted in contact with warm water and irritate delicate skin.
Step 5. Try changing soap
Some cleansers contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin and deprive it of protective sebum. Alcohol-based soaps are particularly harmful. While they are great for killing germs, they can severely dehydrate the skin. Having good personal hygiene habits is key to preventing the spread of disease, but you don't have to ruin your hands with harsh soaps in the name of cleaning. So try using a more gentle or moisturizing product to prevent the skin from drying out and cracking.
Step 6. Try taking a steam bath
In some cases, spending a few minutes in a sauna can help soften dry skin and clear pores, not to mention the pleasant sensations it brings. If you have access to a professional sauna, you could spend a few minutes, up to half an hour, about once a week.
