Thanks to the chilly winds, indoor heat and reduced humidity levels, the winter season often becomes a precursor to dry and irritated skin. This is the time when you should make moisturisers your skin’s BFF. But moisturisation alone won’t help if your skin is clogged with dead skin cells. You need something that can remove the accumulation of dull and dry skin and help nourishment reach the deeper layers of your skin. Enter exfoliation! Exfoliating your skin during winters will help to remove the dull and sluggish skin and pave the way for smooth, baby soft skin that glows from within. If you’re still not convinced on the reasons to use an exfoliator, here is a short guide on the importance of exfoliation in winter along with some product recommendations.
Exfoliation removes the dead and flaky skin cells from your epidermis, giving way to new, healthier skin. It helps your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin, keeping it soft and supple through the harsh winter winds. Exfoliation also boosts blood circulation, facilitates collagen production and speeds up cell turnover, leaving your skin feeling fresher, clearer and brighter.
In case you didn’t know, there are two types of exfoliators- chemical and physical. Also, all exfoliators are not suitable for every skin type. It is crucial to know which exfoliator would suit your skin type to avoid any damage or irritation. So, before you fill your carts with exfoliators, let’s get the basics right.
Physical exfoliation is a process of manually removing dead skin and debris from your skin. It is typically a textured formulation with small, granulated particles that dislodge dirt from the skin.
On the other hand, chemical exfoliators have a serum-like formulation and usually contain acids or enzymes like BHA and AHA. They dissolve and loosen the skin while removing the build-up of dead skin cells.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, use a gentle chemical exfoliator to avoid irritation or redness. For people with acne prone or oily skin, it is best to opt for physical exfoliators that unclog your pores and cut through oil on your skin. However, avoid abrasive physical exfoliators.
Ended up with tanned skin after a beach holiday? Exfoliate your face with this orange face scrub and let the power of vitamin C take charge. Enriched with orange peel, papain and oatmeal, the Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Face Scrub gently exfoliates your skin, revealing fresh and glowing skin. It lightens tanned skin from the very first use and helps get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. One of the best facial scrubs, it eliminates excess oil from your skin and nourishes it from within to give you a smoother and even-toned skin naturally.
MCaffeine Exfoliating Coffee Face Scrub with Walnut & Vitamin E for Fresh & Glowing Skin - Removes Tan & Blackheads
Say hi to brighter and glowing skin with this coffee scrub that gently exfoliates the skin to remove tan and blackheads. While the power of caffeine energises the skin, vitamin E balances its moisture. Enriched with pure arabica coffee, walnut and hibiscus, MCaffeine Exfoliating Coffee Face Scrub with Walnut & Vitamin E for Fresh & Glowing Skin - removes your tan and blackheads, reduces cellulite and puffiness and improves skin elasticity. Take a coin-sized amount of this face scrub on your palm and gently massage your skin in a circular motion. Rinse after 2-3 minutes, and pat your skin dry. Follow up with an alcohol-free toner and moisturiser.
A skin-generating serum, Minimalist 10% AHA BHA Exfoliator With Hyaluronic Acid For Even Tone & Texture gently exfoliates your skin, revealing radiant, clearer and hydrated skin. It contains natural Lactic Acid, a mild AHA that stimulates cell renewal in your skin’s epidermis and dermis layers. This chemical exfoliator also contains hyaluronic acid that hydrates and soothes your skin. You can use this exfoliator in the night-time skincare routine. Pour a few drops on your cheeks and forehead and lightly dab it all across your face. Leave it on for one to two minutes before applying other serums and moisturisers. Follow up with sunscreen the next morning.
Looking for a chemical exfoliant for the face that deals with blemishes and pigmentation? Here comes an expert solution. Formulated with 30% AHA, and 2% BHA, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution exfoliates your skin’s topmost layer and gives you a brighter and even-toned appearance. It clears your pores and fights visible blemishes while improving the skin’s radiance. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, crosspolymer, vitamin B5, black carrot and Tasmanian pepper berry, this chemical exfoliator also improves the appearance of fine lines and skin texture. Apply evenly on your dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for ten minutes and rinse thoroughly. Do not use on sensitive or compromised skin. Make sure to do a patch test before use.
Pro Tips For Exfoliation
- While looking for the best facial scrubs, pick the one that hydrates your skin while exfoliating. Do not use products that have bigger chunks of microbeads as they can be abrasive on your skin.
- Exfoliate your skin after showering or steam, as it can help open pores and remove dead skin better.
- Do not forget to use an exfoliator for your body. Use body scrubs that gently remove all the dead skin from your body. Focus more on your elbows, heels and knees as they tend to get dry, flaky and dull faster.
- Do not forget to apply a toner, serum and moisturiser after exfoliation to seal in the moisture and leave your skin soft, hydrated and supple.
FAQs
How Often Should You Exfoliate During Winters?
Be it summers or winters, you shouldn’t exfoliate your face more than twice a week. If you are using a physical exfoliator for the body, especially your elbows, knees and back, then limit it to once a week.
Is It Okay To Exfoliate Every Day?
No, you must not exfoliate your skin every day. Exfoliating daily can cause micro tears on your skin’s surface. It can disrupt the skin’s barrier, strip off the natural oils and leave it dry and irritated.
What’s The Best Natural Exfoliator?
You can exfoliate your skin with natural ingredients easily available in the kitchen. Baking soda, finely ground sugar, sea salt and oatmeal are some natural exfoliators that can gently scrub off the dead skin. If you have dull and dry skin, you can use an exfoliation tool such as a bath glove, bath brush or natural sponge too.
