JANUARY 25, 2022
Exfoliation for Sensitive Skin?
For individuals with sensitive skin, exfoliation can be quite a daunting task and some may even question "Is it even safe to exfoliate for sensitive skin?". The answer is YES! We’ve done all the research for you babe - everything you need to know about exfoliating on sensitive skin types including how to safely exfoliate, the benefits of it and all the tips and tricks are packed into this post. We’ve gotchu boo! 😉
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is a condition in which the skin is easily irritated, red, or inflamed. It can be caused by various factors including genetics, cosmetics, personal care products and environmental factors such as exposure to pollution. People with sensitive skin may find that certain products or ingredients cause itching, stinging, or even a burning sensation. They may also experience a reaction to fragrances or dyes.
Having sensitive skin is generally not a serious concern as it typically stems from an underlying skin condition and/or as a minor allergic reaction. However, it is important for people with sensitive skin to be mindful of the cosmetics and personal care products they use whilst avoiding ingredients that are known to cause irritation.
Why do we Exfoliate?
There is a reason why skin experts deem exfoliation as a necessary and crucial skincare practice for those who want healthy, glowing skin. This is because the process of cell regeneration in our body slows down as we age and without proper exfoliation, the old skin cells that you shed everyday can start to pile up and get trapped on the surface of the skin. This build up of dead skin cells then leads to excess oil and clogged pores, which snowball into dark spots, rough skin texture, dullness, dryness, acne, ingrown hairs, and so much more!
Exfoliation helps remove the barrier of dead skin cells clogging skin and uncovers fresh new cells below. By exfoliating, you are speeding up your skin's processes for younger looking skin!
How to Safely Exfoliate for Sensitive Skin?
All individuals with the sensitive skin type should be mindful that certain exfoliating methods can be unsuitable as traditional scrubs or acids can be too harsh and irritate the skin. To safely exfoliate sensitive skin, it is important to use gentle methods and products that are specifically formulated for ‘sensitive skin’ types.
There are two (2) different ways to safely exfoliate for sensitive skin types:
1. Gentle Physical Exfoliants
Use a soft-bristled brush or an exfoliating glove to gently massage the skin in circular motions. Individuals with sensitive skin types should avoid using scrubs with large granules as it can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. A good rule of thumb for individuals with sensitive or more reactive types of skin is to exfoliate once or twice a week.
2. Chemical Exfoliants
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are great gentle chemical exfoliants for sensitive skin types as they play the role of improving the overall appearance of the skin by removing the dead skin cells from the epidermis (top layer of the skin). However, it is very important to use these chemical exfoliants that are in lower concentrations and only use them once or twice a week to avoid irritation. The ultimate last thing you should ever do is reach out for all of the chemical exfoliants you can get your hands on!
Benefits of Exfoliation for Sensitive Skin?
1. Reduces appearance of skin blemishes
Exfoliating with our sensitive glove can help reduce the risk of acne and other skin blemishes. Whenever you exfoliate, you are ultimately giving your skin a good deep clean. Our gloves will remove all the dead skin cells, oils and dirt that are trapped in your pores by promoting cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. This can help to reduce the appearance of scarring and discolouration caused by blemishes such as acne or hyperpigmentation.
2. Helps remove razor bumps and ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs often occur when a hair follicle is clogged with dead skin cells, trapping hairs under the skin. This is because we shed around 600,000 skin particles every hour- and if we don't remove these excess particles, they trap hairs under the epidermis (top layer of your skin), causing ingrown hairs! Other causes include frequent hair removal, and tight clothing.
3. Enhances the effectiveness of other skincare products
Our sensitive exfoliating gloves can enhance the effectiveness of other skincare products by helping to remove dead skin cells that can form on the surface of the skin. When this layer of dead skin cells is removed, it allows other skincare products with active ingredients to penetrate more deeply into the skin and ultimately, work more effectively. Let's all get more use out of our expensive body skincare products!
4. Brighten dull skin and lightens dark spots
Our CheekyGlo exfoliating gloves for sensitive skin types can help reduce the dull look of the skin by removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. As we all age, our skin's natural cell turnover process slows down, which can cause a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This can ultimately make the skin appear dull and uneven in tone.
Our exfoliating gloves work by physically removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This process can help to reveal brighter, smoother, and more even-toned skin by removing the buildup of dead skin cells. When you remove the dead skin cells, the skin is better able to reflect light, which can make it appear brighter and more radiant!
5. Stimulates collagen production
Through long-term use of our CheekyGlo's sensitive exfoliating gloves, it can help to stimulate collagen production by removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. When you exfoliate with our sensitive gloves, you are removing the top layer of dead skin cells. This sends a signal to your body that the skin must be repaired and new cells must be produced. Now, this is where the magic happens - collagen is also produced. Once those exfoliating gloves stimulate collagen production, there are crazy benefits such as an improvement in the skin's elasticity and firmness, making the skin plump and glowy which will ultimately minimise the appearance of fine lines. Honestly, how good does that sound!
