Avoid Over Exfoliation with These 3 Tips
If you've ever experienced over-exfoliation - lifeless, dull, flaky, sensitized, maybe even painful skin - you'll be wanting to avoid it again at all costs. But what's the best way to do that?
First things first, going forward keep all exfoliation to a minimum. Ideally 2 – 3 times a week is all you need to keep your skin in tip top condition. Any more more than this and you risk overdoing it and damaging your skin’s barrier.
Avoid Over Exfoliation with These 3 Tips: Choose less abrasive scrubs
Korean beauty is all about gentle, nourishing care for your skin that doesn't sensitize it or aggravate any underlying skin conditions. It makes sense then that Korean beauty products approach exfoliation in a gentler way than many western beauty products.
Take Korean sugar scrubs. They are versatile products that can be used on the face, lips and body. They allow you to choose the level of abrasiveness of your scrub by diluting and dissolving some of the sugar crystals first before applying them to your skin if needed.
If you have sensitive skin, start out with a face that's already wet and dissolve some of the crystals in your hands first before applying the product to your face. Oilier skin types or areas of the face can get away with applying the product directly to their skin to get rid of deep-seated oil and sebum.
Avoid Over Exfoliation with These 3 Tips: Be careful which type of exfoliant you choose
While chemical exfoliants are popular in western beauty, that doesn't mean they work for everyone.
Chemical exfoliants use acids to remove dead skin and oil, which some people prefer because they find it less sensitizing. However, because they work on a chemical level it can be difficult to see the results straight away. As a result, many people end up going overboard and suffer skin damage before they realize it.
This is one benefit of manual exfoliants like sugar scrubs and clay masks. Because they offer immediate results, you know exactly how far you can take it. You can choose to scrub softly and wash your mask off after only a few minutes if you feel your skin drying out. Unlike with chemical exfoliants, there is no wait time to see if the product has worked, which reduces the chances that damage will accumulate under your skin before you can see it.
Avoid Over Exfoliation with These 3 Tips: Choose gentler exfoliating ingredients
Western skin care loves using high strength chemical exfoliants like glycolic and lactic acid. On the other hand, Korean Beauty tends to prefer gentle exfoliating ingredients, like:
- Betaine Salicylate, a fatty-type of BHA derived from plants; and
- Willow Bark extract, a gentle type of BHA that's perfect for clearing the pores without irritation.
These ingredients are better options for people with sensitive or easily irritated skin, as well as those with skin conditions like rosacea.
TL;DR
Finding the perfect exfoliant for your routine can be a process of trial and error but remember - less is more. If in doubt, it's always better to under-do it than overdo it when it comes to exfoliation.
Questions about your skincare routine? Get in touch with our team! We'd love to help answer any concerns you have.