The too crippled. This is a proverb that holds true in many areas of life, including exfoliation. If you have sensitive skin, you probably already know that scrubs should be done very gently, but this is also important for normal or oily skin. Choose delicate products (natural or not) and follow a technique that allows you to eliminate dead cells without causing damage to the skin.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Natural Scrubs
Step 1. Exfoliate your skin with a soft cloth or sponge:
it is one of the most delicate methods ever. Just moisten a spongy cloth with warm water, squeeze it and massage it gently on the area to be exfoliated.
If you have particularly sensitive, dry or damaged skin, you can use a konjac sponge, made with natural fibers derived from the plant of the same name. It has a soft and slightly rubbery texture, more delicate than a loofah sponge or other type of cloth. Soften it with warm water by letting it soak for 5 minutes, squeeze it and massage it into the skin following a light circular motion
Step 2. Make a fruit-based cleanser
Many fruits contain acids that can gently eliminate dead skin cells. For an even gentler cleanser, opt for low acidity fruits, such as papaya and strawberries. Instead, avoid citrus fruits (like lemon or lime). The fruit must also be diluted with oil, water or yogurt, in order to further protect the skin from the action of acids.
- For example, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of whole Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of papaya puree, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of strawberry puree, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of raw honey, and 2 teaspoons (10 g) of granulated sugar. Apply the mask and leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Fruit-based masks should never be left on for more than 10 minutes. If you start feeling a nagging itch, rinse it off first.
Step 3. Prefer sugar over salt
Sugar-based scrubs are gentler than those prepared with salt, making them safer for sensitive or dry skin. The sugar particles perform a mechanical exfoliation, in addition they contain glycolic acid, which also performs a gentle chemical exfoliation.
Try mixing 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of sweet almond or apricot oil and about 1 cup (250 g) of raw sugar. Add 5-6 drops of an essential oil of your choice if desired. Gently massage the scrub into the skin to remove dead cells and rinse with warm water. If you have any leftover product, store it in an airtight container and use within a month
Step 4. Exfoliate with oats, generally recommended for sensitive skin and effective for mechanical exfoliation
Grind a handful of rolled oats with the help of a food processor until a fine powder is obtained. Mix it with water (add 1 tablespoon, or 15 ml, at a time) for a thick, mellow mixture, then use it to exfoliate the skin.
Oats absorb sebum, so it can also have a cleansing function
Step 5. Use baking soda
Pour 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda into a bowl and add a few drops of water, mixing until you get a paste. Gently massage it into damp skin for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
If you want, you can also add the contents of a vitamin E capsule to enhance the therapeutic properties of the scrub
Part 2 of 3: Choose Gentle Commercial Scrubs
Step 1. Choose a mild acid
It may sound strange to you, but many exfoliants on the market contain rather mild acids. In fact, some may be less aggressive than scrubs that have large, abrasive grains. Look for cleansers, toners, or exfoliating serums based on glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), or beta hydroxy acids (BHA).
If you prefer a gentler exfoliation, opt for AHAs, as they prevent dehydration more effectively than glycolic acid. BHAs, like salicylic acid, are great for those with sensitive acne-prone skin
Step 2. Look for fruit products
Many do-it-yourself exfoliants base their effectiveness on fruit acids, but you can also find products with the same ingredients on the market. In general, fruits with a low level of acidity, such as papaya and strawberries, are less harmful than citrus fruits.
Step 3. Try a scrub
This type of exfoliant is characterized by binding properties and allows you to gently eliminate dead cells. It is usually available in the form of a gel. Apply it to the skin and let it act for a few seconds. As the scrub ingredients bind to the dead cells, the gel will turn white, then dry and break down into particles. Rinse with warm water.
The particles are similar to the residue that a classic eraser leaves on a sheet of paper. It is precisely for this reason that we use the word "gommage", or "erase with the rubber"
Step 4. Prefer jojoba micro granules
Many scrubs containing granules are among the most aggressive products that can be found on the market. However, if you like this type of exfoliant, you may want to look for one that contains jojoba micro-granules. Being small in size and almost perfectly round, they tend to be more delicate than many other particles.
When choosing an exfoliant containing microgranules, remember that "natural" is not necessarily synonymous with "gentle". Some products contain ingredients such as nut shells, seeds, bamboo and rice. These elements are generally more delicate than synthetic microparticles, but often more aggressive than acid-based products. If you are looking for a mechanical exfoliant with microparticles, jojoba microgranules will be for you
Step 5. Look for cleansing or moisturizing products with exfoliating properties
Another method of exfoliating the skin is to use cleansers or moisturizers that contain acids or granules. The process will therefore be less aggressive for the skin, but avoid using other exfoliating products immediately afterwards.
- If you want to use an exfoliating cleanser, prefer a foaming scrub to a gel cleanser. Since it has a lighter consistency than a gel, the particles that perform mechanical exfoliation tend to be smaller and less abrasive.
- If you want to use an exfoliating moisturizer, look for a restorative one. It is typically rich enough to prevent dehydration, but it also has chemical or mechanical exfoliating substances that can smooth the skin.
Part 3 of 3: Adopting Proper Habits
Step 1. Exfoliate once or twice a week
Repeating it too often can irritate the skin, causing even more damage, dryness and cracking. If you don't know how sensitive or damaged your skin is, you should only try to exfoliate it once a week.
- If after a few weeks you find that your skin needs to be exfoliated more often, you can switch to doing it twice a week. However, never repeat the scrub more than 3 times a week. If the skin starts to redden or become irritated, do the treatment less often.
- Regardless of the frequency, the skin should always be exfoliated in the evening to allow it to recover and regenerate during sleep. Furthermore, UV rays can damage it if you expose it to the sun immediately after the scrub.
Step 2. Always use warm water and mild detergents for washing
Avoid hot water, as it can accentuate dehydration and irritate the skin. Similarly, aggressive products can damage the skin. Better to opt for warm water and mild cleansers, especially before exfoliation.
- If you have to exfoliate the skin on your body, do not stay in the shower for more than 10 minutes, so that you do not expose yourself to hot water for prolonged periods. The face should be washed after a shower, not during.
- Use separate cleansers for face and body. If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for targeted products (for example formulations designed for sensitive skin or with moisturizing properties) and use them especially before exfoliation.
Step 3. Apply oil before exfoliating
This is not strictly necessary for normal or oily skin, but you can apply some face oil before proceeding with the exfoliation. It will create a barrier between the skin and the product, making it less aggressive.
- This can be particularly useful if you have sensitive skin or fragile capillaries (the small blood vessels that lie directly under the epidermis).
- For best results, look for face oil blends targeted to treat your skin type (dry, normal, or oily). There are various types of products, but coconut, jojoba and calendula are among the most popular.
Step 4. Focus on the rough spots
Dead cells can form all over the body, but the areas that most need exfoliation are those with skin that is dry / dull to the eye and cracked to the touch. Work on these areas every time you scrub. Only rarely exfoliate soft, glowing skin (or avoid it directly).
- If you can't figure out which areas to exfoliate, go outside on a warm, sunny day. Using a mirror, examine the skin and determine which parts are visibly dull.
- In general, exfoliation should be concentrated mainly on the face, elbows, knees and feet.
- Examine your skin once a week or every 15 days. If an area that was previously healthy and glowing should appear dull, exfoliate it. If the problem doesn't recur within 1 or 2 weeks, you can start ignoring it again until needed again.
Step 5. Follow a circular motion
Whichever exfoliant you use, you should apply gentle pressure as you make upward circular motions.
The particles or chemicals from the exfoliant should do the bulk of the work. Basically, all you have to do is distribute them on your face: don't rub them
Step 6. Once the exfoliation is complete, immediately rinse the skin and pat it dry with a clean towel
Apply a moisturizing lotion, cream, or serum to complement your beauty treatment. This will replenish lost hydration and prevent irritation.
