Exfoliation has become one of the most important parts of skin care routine and is considered by many to be beneficial as it removes dead skin cells and refreshes the skin. Once we use a facial scrub, skin feels and look noticeably smoother, and more even. If you love the benefits of exfoliating the skin, you may start to believe that scrubbing is completely safe. But many of us don’t even realize when we are over-exfoliating our skin.
What Happens During An Exfoliation?
There is no doubt when you exfoliate your skin, you may feel like you are taking good care of your skin, but in reality, you are harming it. Exfoliation removes the outer layer of the skin. This way you lose the much-needed barrier, it creates between your skin glands and environment. Your skin feels oil-free, but when the oil is removed from your face skin, your glands secrete more oil to compensate for the overly dry skin. Daily or weekly exfoliation can make your skin fluctuate between too dry and too oily. This whole process causes an imbalance in your skin. Therefore, it is important to balance your skin.
Balancing Your Skin
Balancing skin means you want a healthy skin barrier that produces a moderate level of oil. Too oily skin is prone to acne while excessive dryness causes eczema. When the skin is on the roller coaster of harsh skin care products, you can experience both cane and eczema, sometimes along with rashes. While treating any of these skin issues, the goal will remain same that is balancing the skin.
When Too Much Of A Good Thing
If you are over scrubbing your face, your face skin will begin to protect itself by forming an even thicker layer of dead skin cells on the surface. Also, if your facial scrub contains harm chemicals or contains ingredients that tend to irritate your skin, this can leave the skin dry, resulting in the irritated and inflamed skin. Most of us are aware of the vicious cycle; the more the skin tries to protect itself, the harder we exfoliate to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface.
Too Much Scrubbing May Cause Damage
While face scrubs is believed to slough off dead skin and dry skin, most of us often overdo that. Some scrubs that contain abrasive beads of plastic mineral oils, or harsh chemicals that can be harmful. If your skin is sensitive or has cut or bruise, avoid using a salt scrub as it will only worsen your skin condition and may even burn the skin.
According to clinical experts, the topmost layer of the skin is known to be a protective barrier layer. Too much exfoliation will disrupt the layer and make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays, which may cause rashes, tanning, and sunburns to occur easily. Also, the ingredients used in the scrub can block pores and cause whiteheads and folliculitis (an infection of the hair follicles).
Scrub Your Skin Safely
Can scrub help you get rid of dry and flaky skin? Can exfoliate with scrub help you opened clogged pores, or reduce the appearance of blemishes, white bumps, and uneven skin tone? Dermatologist says that it is wrong to scrub, dry and flaky skin as this will disrupt the barrier function of the skin making the skin more sensitive. Instead, it is recommended to moisturize a dull, dry, and flaky skin with a coconut based moisturizer. Scrubbing will only cause hyper pigmentation which may lead to darkening of blemishes.
What Works Best?
Natural exfoliants are believed to be the ideal choice to maintain a healthy glow. Scrubs made with natural ingredients such as sugar, carrier oils, salt, and honey works great still if you are not overdoing it.
If you still have doubts and want to know how and how often to exfoliate your face, consult a dermatologist to get to know about some controlled options and best skin care products. A skin care specialist will help you choose the best scrub based on your skin type and sensitivity of the skin. If needed, a dermatologist may also recommend a chemical and mechanical exfoliation treatment (a skin care treatment) that best fulfills the need of your skin. Moreover, he/she will also inform you how often you need to use it for healthy skin.
