How to exfoliate your skin

Exfoliating is probably one of the best skin care routines you can do.  But do you know how to exfoliate your skin?  There’s a right way and a wrong way.

What is exfoliating?

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from your skin.  Our bodies do exfoliate naturally and our bodies are more efficient with it when we’re younger.

The older we get, our bodies can’t slough off as easily which leads to breakouts or dull looking skin.  This is because those dead skin cells get stuck in our pores (leading to acne) or stuck in those dry crevices (which make us skin look dull).  This is the exact reason why exfoliating is so necessary and learning how to exfoliate skin can really help you.

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Exfoliation skin

You can always tell who exfoliates the right way because their skin looks amazing.

That’s why I am a huge proponent of exfoliating.  It’s so easy to do and doesn’t cost a lot of money – if you know what to look for.  On the other hand, you can also always tell who doesn’t exfoliate or who exfoliates too much.

No Exfoliation Skin vs. Too Much Exfoliation

These are the two extremes.  Some people don’t exfoliate, and some exfoliate too much.  People who choose not to exfoliate will not have great skin.  They will either have acne or dull skin.  This is not attractive, and it doesn’t make us feel good about ourselves.  So, why not exfoliate?

Then, there are the people that exfoliate too much.  Too much of a good thing isn’t good.  You can irritate your skin which will cause a lot of problem.  When you learn to exfoliate the right way and in the right frequency, you’ll uncover your beautiful skin!  Learning how to exfoliate your skin will do wonders for your appearance.

How often should I exfoliate?

At least 1-2 times a week is recommended for facial exfoliation.  You should exfoliate the rest of your body at least 3 times a week.  A good rule of thumb is to exfoliate on the days you shave. Before you shave, exfoliate! This helps reduce ingrown hairs and gives you a better shave. Plus, you’ll have smoother skin.
This also depends on your skin type:

• Dry or sensitive skin – once per week
• Oily or combination skin – 3-5 times per week
• Normal skin – everyday

Please note:  you should not exfoliate during an acne breakout because it can make the acne worse.  Instead, wait until the acne clears up before you start exfoliating.

How to exfoliate your skin

All you need is a gentle exfoliator.  Whatever you choose, this is important.  Don’t use anything that has shells like apricot or walnut shells.  You may not realize it but many products include these ingredients.  Read the ingredients!  I can’t stress this enough.  (Please know that we do not use shells in our scrubs.  We use the actual nut that is ground to a fine powder – that’s what makes Nutt So Ruff scrub bars so gentle, yet very effective.)

Once you have your scrub, moisten your skin and then gently use your scrub to rub your skin.  Be careful on any sensitive areas of your body (please don’t exfoliate your private parts though!).  Then, all you need to do is rinse.  It is that easy.

How to properly exfoliate face

It’s the same concept as the rest of your body.  Just make sure the scrub is meant for your face, as it will be gentler since the skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body.  Try our Nutt So Ruff Face Scrub Bar to exfoliate your face.  It’s a great face scrub for sensitive skin.

Acne Breakouts after Exfoliation

I wanted to also point out one of the reasons people are afraid to exfoliate their skin is because it could cause an acne breakout.  There are two reasons for this.

1. You’re exfoliating too much!  Please exfoliate according to your skin type.  If you don’t know your skin type, click here to find out.  Skin Type.
2. As you exfoliate, you are removing dirt, skin cells and oils.  This can lead to a breakout.  If this happens, take these steps:
   1. Once you have an active breakout, wait until it subsides before you exfoliate again.
   2. Continue your skin regimen of washing twice a day (with a gentle cleanser) and pat dry with a soft, clean towel.
   3. Within about a week, your skin should clear up and you should resume exfoliating, based on your skin type.

That’s how to exfoliate your skin!  Good luck to you and if you have any questions, please leave a comment!