Can I scrub my face for 5 minutes?
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From loading up on antioxidants to investing in laser skin resurfacing, there are many ways to get the smooth, glowing, healthy skin we all want. Exfoliation remains among the best ways to improve your skin’s texture and tone, and it’s something all of us can do right at home. However, it’s also easy to overdo it by exfoliating too often or using the wrong method for your skin type. In this ultimate guide, discover why it’s so important, as well as how to properly exfoliate your skin with expert tips from Dr. Magovern (board-certified dermatologist and owner of Manhattan Dermatology). What is Exfoliation?“Exfoliation is basically removing the dead surface cells from your skin,” says Dr. Magovern. “I hate to call them ‘dead’ because we now know they’re very much alive, but at any rate, it’s the removal of the topmost skin layer.” You can either use a chemical or physical exfoliant. A chemical exfoliation utilizes alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) or enzymes to loosen the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together. A physical exfoliant (also referred to as a ‘manual exfoliant’) uses a tool, liquid, gel or scrub. Why You Should Exfoliate Your Skin Your skin is constantly repairing and replacing itself. Because of this, you can be left with layers upon layers of dead skin all over your body. Here are 5 key benefits of exfoliation, which helps to make way for brighter, smoother skin:
“It’s important because it helps to break down some of the top surface cells that contribute to skin dullness, dryness and that ‘aged skin’ appearance,” explains Dr. Magovern. “Brown spots also improve because some of those ‘dead’ surface cells are what harbor some of the pigment.” While brighter skin is certainly a perk, exfoliation can actually help improve the health of your skin as well. If your skin is riddled with dead cells, your skin care products may not be able to penetrate and do their work. In essence, “It also allows your products to work more effectively,” says Dr. Magovern. By removing the top-most layer of skin, you’re making it easier for your topical treatments to sink deep below the surface where they could make a real difference. Finally, if you have acne-prone skin, exfoliation can help clear clogged pores, which often lead to breakouts, and minimize their size. It can also help fade acne scars faster by accelerating skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. What Type of Exfoliant Should You Use?So, you now know how important it is to exfoliate—but there are a few things to consider when it comes to how you do this. In fact, there are two ways to exfoliate your skin: chemical exfoliation and manual exfoliation. Here we’ll explain what each one is in more detail, as well as help you decide which one will work best for you. What is Chemical Exfoliation?“Chemical exfoliation uses ‘chemicals’ to break down the surface skin cells,” says Magovern. As a general rule of thumb, highly sensitive and acne-prone skin responds very well to chemical exfoliants, as they are less likely to cause irritation. “I prefer chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid or even using products that contain fruit enzymes, such as papaya, pineapple or pumpkin (as they tend to be gentler),” Dr. Magovern tells us. “Additionally, chemical exfoliators are nice because you usually don’t need to scrub, plus you get the benefit of something like glycolic acid, which can stimulate collagen production and trigger other anti-aging pathways. Salicylic acid targets oil glands, which can improve acne. I’m sure there are products out there with a combination of both (such as glowMD perfect scrub).” If you prefer a chemical exfoliant, among the most common types are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Both AHAs and BHAs work by combining with the structural lipids in your stratum corneum (the outermost layer of your skin) and dissolving them so that the dead skin cells break away. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) Enzymes The Best Products for Chemical Exfoliation
What is Physical Exfoliation?Physical (or manual) exfoliation utilizes a hard substance to manually remove dead skin cells. One method involves using a liquid, gel or scrub with granules like microbeads or sugars. Another uses a skin care tool such as a sponge, towel or brush. “Manual exfoliation is basically exfoliation by “scrubbing”—and is usually [done] with beaded cleansers,” Magovern explains. Despite its various benefits, some may find scrubbing skin doesn’t suit them. “The problem with manual exfoliation is that people can scrub too hard or too much, and the combined action of scrubbing and the beads can lead to skin irritation and a breakdown of the precious skin barrier,” says Magovern. Once this happens, you may find yourself with sore skin or experiencing breakouts and rashes. We all love the feeling of scrubs, and they can work well when done right, but it’s really important not to overdo it. If you’re opting for a physical exfoliant, the best product for you depends a great deal upon the thickness and sensitivity of your skin. It’s important to remember that many kinds of particles can be used for exfoliation, with mainstream products encompassing a wide and varied selection. Larger Granules People with oilier complexions have larger sebaceous glands, which makes their skin thicker and better able to tolerate larger, more abrasive particles, such as pumice or magnesium oxide crystals. Smaller Granules Those with drier, sensitive skin should generally use products with smaller granules, such as ruby crystals and jojoba beads. Jojoba beads, derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant, are small and uniform in size and shape, so they are less likely to irritate, cut or abrade your skin. This decreases the risk of small skin tears. Seeds and Crushed Nutshells It’s important to realize that certain ingredients, although natural, may not be appropriate for your skin type. Some natural products, such as crushed nutshells, seashells, ground fruit pits and seeds, have uneven edges and irregular shapes that can damage sensitive skin. The best exfoliating scrub is the one that effectively removes the outermost layer of skin but, at the same time, is gentle. The Best Products for Physical Exfoliation
The Best Tools for Manual Exfoliation
The right way to exfoliate will depend on whether you’re using a chemical or physical exfoliant. Once you’ve determined this, simply follow the appropriate steps below. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant:
Please note, there are some chemical exfoliants that are often referred to as “peels”. These are used similarly to a mask and are required to be rinsed off after a few minutes. Always check your product label to make sure you’re using the exfoliant correctly. If you’re using a physical exfoliant:
Need a step-by-step guide on how to exfoliate your face? Watch our video tutorial below. How to Exfoliate Your BodyOnce you’ve exfoliated your face, you’re likely going to want to move on to the rest of your body. Here are our tips for covering your bikini area, legs and feet. Bikini – It’ll come as no surprise that the bikini area can be thought of as sensitive skin, and as such, you don’t want to do anything that can aggravate it. If you want to use a manual exfoliant like a scrub, we’d recommend taking a sensitive-skin product, and gently scrubbing along your bikini line before letting it sit for a few minutes. Next, rinse off with warm water. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, simply massage into the skin. Follow up with a fragrance-free moisturizer. Legs – While your skin cells replenish monthly, a gentle exfoliation of your legs can offer smoother skin, better circulation, and even improve cellulite. Start by using a dry brush with gentle pressure, then move on to your exfoliator. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, simply massage into your skin. For a physical exfoliant, like a scrub, rub it into your legs in a circular motion while in the shower, then gently rinse off with warm water. Feet – The bottoms of your feet tend to be home to the roughest spots of skin on your body, so they require a little more TLC when it comes to exfoliating. If you’ve gotten a pedicure before, you know that physical exfoliation—scrubs, stones and files—can be an effective way to smooth rough heels. Your feet can also benefit from chemical exfoliation, which is what powers the cult-favorite exfoliating socks from Baby Foot. All you have to do is soak your feet in warm water for an hour, while your feet absorb the glycolic, malic and lactic acids. Then, within a few days, your feet will start to shed a layer of skin, revealing baby-soft feet. How Often Should You Exfoliate?“I usually recommend exfoliating once or twice a week,” explains Dr. Magovern. This is because exfoliating too often or
too hard may cause micro-tears on your skin’s surface and strip your skin’s protective layer. If you are using something too often, “Your skin will let you know,” says Dr. Magovern. She goes on to say that it may show in the form of redness, small bumps, increased breakouts, stinging and burning. If you have inflammatory acne, rosacea or hypersensitive skin, we recommend asking your dermatologist what exfoliant to use and how often to use it. “All skin types can and should exfoliate,” explains Dr. Magovern—but there may be some differences in how. “If you have dry or sensitive skin, I would start with a fruit enzyme product or lactic or mandelic acid, rather than glycolic acid. If you’re acne prone, salicylic and mandelic acid are my favorites. Darker skin types should be wary of scrubbing too much or using a product that is too strong for them. [Overexfoliating] can lead to inflammation and this can trigger your pigment-making cells and lead to hyperpigmentation.” Precautions to Take When Exfoliating SkinExfoliating has essentially endless benefits for the skin, but as you’ll have now discovered, there are some precautions we should all take. We asked Dr. Magovern to summarize some key pointers for exfoliating:
How many minutes should I scrub my face?Do not scrub your face for more than 40 to 45 seconds. Scrubbing for too long can cause skin irritation.
Can I wash my face for 5 minutes?But face-washing sessions should last no longer than two minutes, she adds, as too much scrubbing, rinsing, and cleansing may disrupt healthy sebum production and dry out your skin, causing irritation or inflammation.
Should I wash my face for 30 seconds?Keep it simple: Try to aim for 20 to 30 seconds of washing, or until the product lathers up on your face, because doing more than that could be too much for your skin.
Should you wash your face for 60 seconds?According to her, "cleansing your face (with your fingers) for 60 seconds allows the ingredients in the cleanser to actually work." As she wrote, "Most people wash their face for like 15 seconds max. [Sixty seconds] softens the skin and dissolves sebum blockages better. Texture and overall evenness improves."
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