What you need to know about exfoliating your skin – and how to avoid overdoing it
Exfoliation is the breakthrough step you need for glowing, healthy looking skin.
“Skin that’s not regularly exfoliated may experience acne and more rapid visible ageing”, explains skincare expert Eavanna Breen.
Struggling with dull skin? You could be underexfoliating.
“Dull skin is caused by pollutants, make-up and dead skin accumulating on the skin, leading to dullness and breakouts, stealing your skin’s natural glow”, explains Eavanna, founder of Eavanna Breen Skin & Laser Clinic. “Exfoliation comes with the promise of revealing a glowing, brighter complexion underneath.”
“The outermost layer of skin is where the dead skin cells gather and eventually shed naturally”, says Eavanna. “As we age, our rate of natural exfoliation slows down, and sometimes, they just need that little helping hand to let go. Removing dead skin cells that cause shadowing on the skin can further reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth and enhance absorption of the important hydrating ingredients.”
There are two types of exfoliation – physical and chemical.
“Physical products contain rough granules or beads that buff away skin cells, so if you have sensitive skin, you need something gentle and less abrasive”, says Eavanna. “I recommend using AlumierMD’s MicroDerm Polish, a microdermabrasion formula that actively exfoliates and retexturises the skin and is rich in skin conditioning agents to maintain the skin’s natural barrier. In the longer-term, it brightens and minimises areas of hyperpigmentation. It also has 100% natural/bio-degradable beads – for sensitive skin, opt for round beads, as anything with sharp edges can create micro-tears. I love the Jojoba beads in MicroDerm Polish for sensitive complexions.”
But whether you physically or chemically exfoliate your skin, you can overdo it. Eavanna shares how to tell if you have reached your limit:
“Overexfoliation creates cracks in your skin’s barrier, which can lead to loss of hydration and inflammation. This can look like redness, itchiness, pain and eczema. If you have very sensitive skin, this can even lead to broken blood vessels under the surface of the skin.”
These cracks in your skin barrier can leave you at risk of environmental damage. “This can cause irritation, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, or even scarring.”
But don’t stop exfoliating, Eavanna cautions. “Simply take a break and adjust your skincare routine. Hydrating post-exfoliating is key. I love AlumierMD’s Recovery Balm, which is an antioxidant and peptide-rich moisturiser specifically formulated for post-procedure recovery. Hinokitiol and aloe soothe and copper peptide rehabilitates the look of sensitive skin – perfect post over-exfoliation.”
Microderm Polish works to:
- Smooth skin and improve pore-size appearance
- Even skin tone and texture
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Maintain the skin’s hydrolipid barrier
- Enhance the absorption of important ingredients in our other skincare products
Ingredient spotlight:
MicroDerm Polish’s environmentally friendly yet effective formulation contains:
- Hydrated Silica – an exfoliating powder that is 100% natural mineral origin and safe for the environment
- Jojoba Esters – exfoliating particles that are 100% natural and biodegradable
- Grapefruit Peel Oil – deep-pore cleansing, removes buildup without compromising the barrier, helping to balance sebum
- Glycerin – a powerful humectant that allows the skin to retain moisture while enhancing softness and suppleness
- Free from artificial fragrance, sulphate, paraben, mineral and dye
