by Janette Peel

Created on: April 11, 2011

The process of exfoliating or scrubbing the skin has many benefits as well as speeding up the skin's own natural process of renewal by removing the skin's top layer of dead skin cells to reveal a glowing and more youthful complexion.

If your skin has a dull and sallow appearance, or is dry and flaking or perhaps becoming congested with clogged pores and blackheads, these are all tell-tale signs indicating that your skin is in need of a little extra help.  When carried out properly exfoliation leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch and the massage stokes needed to spread the exfoliating medium over the skin helps boost blood circulation.  Always remember, and this is vitally important, that the massaging action should be very gentle and the particles in the exfoliators you are using should be fine not large or they will scratch and damage the surface of the skin.

On average, new skin cells grow and replace old ones on a monthly cycle, although this can vary from person to person.  This is part of the skin's natural process of exfoliation, which you assist on a daily basis, without realizing it, by following a good skin care routine. 

By massaging on cleansers, sweeping across toners with cotton wool and applying moisturizers to your face and body, you are already helping the skin to loosen and dislodge dead skin cells from its top layer.  In fact, many skin care specialists believe that you get sufficient exfoliation from using a wash cloth to wipe your face every day.  This is fine on a daily basis, but most skins also require an additional weekly exfoliation to get that youthful glow.

Don't overdo it though, as over-exfoliating can damage the skin by removing its protective barrier and leaving it vulnerable to moisture loss and bacteria.  This can worsen skin conditions by causing dehydration and possibly leading to further infection - something you don't want if you already have problem skin.

Once a week is enough to exfoliate most skin types, while sensitive and mature skins should probably stick to exfoliating once a fortnight.  If you are in the habit of over-exfoliating - stop!  Don't exfoliate for a month or so and allow your skin to heal and restore the skin's natural balance or sebum production and moisture levels.  Then start again slowly, taking care not to be as harsh as before.

Exfoliators can be divided into two main types:  physical and chemical.  Physical exfoliators work

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