The skin is the organ responsible for protecting the body against external factors, such as temperature or bacteria. Therefore, in order for it to remain in good condition and to be able to fulfill its function in the best possible way, it is important to know how to care for it. This will be based on offering good hydration to keep it nourished and applying the relevant protectors so that it does not suffer damage, for example, due to sun exposure. But there is also a relevant factor that tends to be ignored: exfoliation.
Following a natural cycle, the skin renews its cells, causing new layers to form under the previous ones. The role of exfoliation is to remove those layers of dead skin that have been replaced. You might think that it is something more aesthetic, and it is true that, with exfoliation, the skin will be more radiant, soft and uniform. However, this also has benefits for your health, since it prevents skin pores from clogging and bacteria found in dead cells is removed.
When choosing a type of exfoliation, you can find two different alternatives. The first of them is physical exfoliation, which consists of mechanically removing this layer of dead cells. That is, through the use of products such as sponges, brushes or products with microparticles. On the other hand, there is chemical exfoliation, which uses topical acids to dissolve that layer of dead cells.
One of the main differences between one type and another is that physical exfoliants are not advisable for all skin types, especially for sensitive ones, since they can cause irritation because their mechanism is based on abrasion and they have rough textures. Instead, the variety of chemical exfoliants makes it easy to find one that suits each person and their needs. In addition, they usually include certain active ingredients that provide extra benefits, such as hydrating the skin or combating hyperpigmentation.
The frequency with which it is advisable to exfoliate will depend directly on each person’s skin type. In the case of dry or sensitive skin, it is best to do it once a week, or twice at most, since exfoliation tends to cause a little dryness. As for oily or combination skin, the frequency can be increased to two or three times a week.
Acne-prone skin is somewhat particular, since it must protect its skin barrier with special care, which will largely help it avoid breakouts. Therefore, it would be advisable to start with once a week. If after a reasonable time no negative effects are noticed on the skin, it could be increased to two.
