Exfoliators: Why Are They Necessary?

by Andi Bradshaw

At any age, a woman wants her skin to look as good as possible. Exfoliators and masks help your skin do just that. They are both necessary because they do two different things. Exfoliators scrub and invigorate, while facial masks calm and soothe the skin.

The earlier you consistently include these items in your skin care routine, the more effective your moisturizer will be. This translates to your skin looking healthier and smoother as well as looking younger than you actually are. If you're fifteen, that may not be such an encouraging thought, but if you're thirty, forty or fifty

Why Do I Need An Exfoliator?

Many people are not aware of the fact that their skin renews itself every 25 days and that ashy, flaky feeling skin is just dead skin cells that haven't been removed. The body is able to withstand larger particles and although they're not designed to be abrasive or scratch the skin, if exfoliators are used with excessive pressure - they will.

Exfoliating is necessary for polishing and allowing the skins natural oils to surface from beneath those dead cells; thereby keeping the skin soft and smooth. Exfoliators should be used by men and women. Most men regularly remove or exfoliate the dead skin on the lower halves of their faces - while shaving. So, the top half could benefit from weekly exfoliating.

What do they do?

Exfoliators polish and remove the dead cells that prevent your natural oils (that the skin produces) from coming to the surface. With proper use, facial exfoliators also polish the skin which, along with your natural oil, is needed for keeping the skin smooth and soft. Facial exfoliators are purposely designed to clean out pores without enlarging or irritating them.

How Do I Use Exfoliators?

If your skin type is combination, a lotion exfoliator will work best; for dry skin, cream based products are more effective; if you have sensitive skin, look for a baking soda based scrub, they're more gentle and for those with oily skin, gel based products work best for you. While your face is still wet, place a teaspoon of your exfoliator on your wet face cloth.

Gently scrub in a circular motion; all over your face and throat for about 30 seconds. Rinse your cloth thoroughly, and use it to rinse/wipe away the exfoliating grains. Use a clean towel to pat your face dry and then complete with the application of your toner, eye treatment and your moisturizers.

Those new to exfoliators often believe that using the product more often or longer will give better results. Wrong! These products have been tested by their developers to determine how to get the best results. You don't want your outcome to be extremely dry skin, so use twice weekly, follow directions for time and you'll get the best results from your home facial treatment.

About the Author:

Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has helped to beautify more than 15,000 women. The information in this article was taken from the book "Skin Care for Moms & Other Working Women". Check out Andi's bookstore for this and 17 additional age appropriate, stroke by stroke, illustrated makeup and skin care books. Affordable makeup and skin care books.