Exfoliators: Why Are They Necessary?

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.
Frequently referred to as scrubs, exfoliators are made to lift and remove dull, dry or dead skin cells. They are comprised of sugars, salts, dried fruits, nuts, grasses, flowers and grains (wheat, corn or oats). They may be roughly ground for use on the body and very finely ground for use on the face and you can usually find one or more in creams, oils, lotions and compressed (bar) or liquid soaps.
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.
It's not common knowledge that skin renews itself every 25 days or that flaky or ashy skin is just dry skin that needs to be removed. Men's faces need exfoliating too and the bottom half receives that through shaving. The top halfcould use a weekly scrub to keep the face evenly smooth.
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.
For about 30 seconds, gently scrub in circular motions around your face and neck. Rinse well to remove all grains and pat dry with a clean towel. Finish with your toner, gel or cream for the eye area and facial 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.

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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 faces. The facts in this piece were taken from the book "Skin Care for Moms & Other Working faces". 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.

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