The amazing (and surprising) benefits of exfoliation for younger looking skin!

23. marts 2015

Skrevet af Mette Themsen

23. marts 2015

Skrevet af Mette Themsen

The skin you’re wearing

Consider the fact that your skin is the largest organ of your body, and also one of the most delicate. Now consider the daily and seasonal abuse you’re exposed to (diet, perfumes, skincare products, harsh conditions, artificial light, pollution….) which can all wreak havoc, if you don’t care for your skin carefully and regularly.

Why you should exfoliate

Few people realize that the top layer of your skin is entirely made up of dead (yes, dead) skin cells! Exfoliation removes dead surface skin cells, which helps reveal the more luminous, younger looking skin beneath.

Am I covered with dead skin cells?
Our body will naturally shed millions of dead skin cells a day, allowing new ones to travel to the surface as the old flake off, why? Because they get worn and die, and they need to be replaced, like every cell in our body. But the process is slow an as we age it gets even slower. The “buildup” from dead skin cells remaining on the surface, creates a substance called keratin – the body’s natural process of protection.

Why should we remove this protection?
We do indeed need dead skin cells to protect us from the elements, but a build-up of this ‘protection’ is counterproductive. Without regular exfoliation you’ll accumulate an abundance of dead surface skin cells, which create clogged pores, discoloration and aging – the most common complaint is dull, lifeless looking skin. So you’re much better of scrubbing the dead celles off and protect your skin with a face cream that creates a protective barrier, that still allows your skin to breathe, like Bettes beauty cream.

So let’s hear these amazing benefits

Anti-aging. Exfoliation slows down the aging process, the natural process of shedding dead skin and regenerating new cells, becomes slower with age. In addition, keratin-filled dead cells build up quicker and more unevenly, which allows for the creation of fine lines (and deeper wrinkles) in the surface of the skin. Exfoliation accelerates collagen production and the process of shedding dead skin cells, which will even out your skin tone and firm up your skin, as well as minimizing wrinkles, making your skin look healthier and younger.

Dry skin – Our skin is very often dehydrated, especially during winter and in between seasons. We load up on heavier creams and skin care products to combat this process, but dry skin means that dead cells actually prevent your skin from absorbing these products. Make sure you remove the dead skin cells and moisturize the new skin cells, will keep your skin soft and supple all year round

Acne – Most acne products dry out the skin, which will irritate the inflammed skin even more and press the skin to produce even more sebum that will get trapped under the keratin, starting a new cycle of breakouts. Exfoliation will relieve inflammed skin, allowing the excess sebum, dirt and bacteria to leave the pores. After exfoliating inflammed skin, it’s important to apply a very healing serum like Bettes beauty serum or in the day, a protecting and comforting day cream like Bettes beauty cream

Clogged pores and poresize – ”Blackheads” and “whiteheads,” aren’t caused by poor hygiene – most commonly they’re caused by excess production of sebum (the oil the skin produces), because of outside irritation, weather changes, pollution, as well as sunlight - the skin tries to protect itself with this sebum, then the sebum gets trapped under the dead skin cells (keratin) on the surface in the skin. Exfoliating is necessary to remove the dead surface cells and release this excess oils and keratin. This results in fewer blackheads and smaller poresize! Actually this is the only way to effectively reduce poresize, because they get unclogged with exfoliation and they can then shrink in size: To reach this goal, you need to be very consistent, doing scrubs preferrably every other day, but at least 2 times/week.

So – which exfoliation method should you choose?

Instead of mentioning them all, I ’ll just mention the best one:

Ta daaaaa: Sugar!

-Sugar's small particles that melts up quickly and is excellent to exfoliate dead surface skin cells and reveal the glowing, healthy-looking skin underneath. Sugar scrubs also have a few benefits over salt scrubs. For one, small sugar granules are generally gentler than salt, which can cause microscopic tears in the skin; two, because of sugar's natural humectants properties, these scrubs are more hydrating than salt scrubs, which can strip skin of natural oils

- sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment into the skin. So when you apply products with sugar or sugar derivatives, they'll actually help hydrate your skin and keep moisture within.

-Secondly, sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that penetrates the skin and encourages increase of collagen production and deep cell turnover, generating fresher, younger-looking skin,. Glycolic acid is typically used to treat sun-damaged and aging skin. Over time, consistent use of glycolic acid will fade superficial marks and fine lines. Because of this quality, it is a common ingredient in antiaging skin-care products.

I recommend exfoliating 2-4 times a week, to keep your skin looking vibrant. Make your own sugar scrub with cane sugar and oil or buy my Luminous face scrub, to make sure you get the best benefits and added anti-aging properties from vitamin-E and rosemary antioxidant!

ENJOY!