BEAUTY ROUTINES
The secret for a smooth and clear skin? Exfoliation! It is a key element of our skin beauty routine, but we do not always handle it properly. What are the benefits of exfoliation for our skin? How to choose the right one and how to use it the right way? How often? Here are all the tips!
Body and Face Exfoliation: what benefits for our skin?
The goal of exfoliation is for the skin to get rid of impurities and dead cells that accumulates at the surface daily. It stimulates cell renewal since young new cells will replace the old ones. The result: skin texture becomes smoother, and complexion is brighter and more even. It is almost like getting a new skin.
Exfoliation also makes our skin breathe better by opening the pores. Sebum can then be better controlled, and imperfections do not appear as easily. Another direct benefit is that skin treatments with active ingredients will penetrate in a much more efficient way.
Which exfoliation technique is right for my skin? Here are your choices!
Mechanical Exfoliation, also known as “scrub”, is the best known and easiest category to find on the beauty market.
It is the mechanical friction of its tiny particles that takes off the dead cells from the epidermis. As scrubbing can sometimes be a bit abrasive, we like to use it for body exfoliation, rather than for the face where the skin is thinner.
We especially like the Gommage Amande with pistachio butter and sweet almond oil. The micro-grains from almond and pistachio shells gently exfoliate the body, giving back to the skin its original smoothness and softness.
Chemical exfoliation has no micro-grains and is formulated with AHA (Alpha Hydroxy / glycolic acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy / Salicylic acid) acids. These acids, like mini-Pacmen, munch on the links between dead cells and help them lift off the skin. No need to scrub, the acids do the job for you.
Usually gentler for the skin that a scrub, chemical exfoliation is the preferred method for the face. The Bubble Mask Peeling, with Raspberry AHAs and a cocktail of Fruit enzymes will actually have a triple action on your skin: oxygenating, detoxifying, and neutralizing pollution!
The My Payot Peeling Eclat is another option that can be used daily to restore the complexion’s radiance and improve skin quality thanks to Glycolic acid & Vitamin-rich orange extract.
Depending on your skin type and/or issues, it is important to identify the right molecule for your chemical exfoliation. For instance, salicylic acid is really effective on skin imperfections because of its anti-inflammatory properties, whereas glycolic acid will be your best anti-aging friend. For a sensitive skin, fruit enzymes will probably be the best choice.
How can you optimize the benefits of exfoliation?
Exfoliation is usually done once or twice a week. Other opportunities justify additional use: a body scrub before sun exposure will help getting a more even tan, or before waxing to help getting rid of ingrown hair.
In all cases, you will need to apply a good hydrating treatment after every exfoliation. Your skin will need this extra hydration, and will also absorb active ingredients much better, because there will not be any dead cells barrier anymore.
We also recommend checking any warning about after-treatment sun exposure, especially for chemical exfoliation products.
- The right way to exfoliate
It is important to understand that exfoliation does not mean stripping your skin of everything! You are not supposed to create any irritation, and you need to watch closely how your epidermis reacts to the treatment. Taking small steps is important.
When using a body scrub (mechanical exfoliation), you can massage it over the body in circular movements, with little pressure of the hand or using an exfoliation glove. Circular motion will also activate blood circulation in a very natural way.
Chemical exfoliation goes with very specific instructions for the safety of your skin. Some formulations will go on dry skin, others on wet skin; some will need to be rinsed, some will not. Make sure to read all the provided information before the first use.
