Taking Care of Your Skin: Exfoliation

Skin care routines are very important for the overall health and appearance of your skin and this routine usually involves cleansing and moiturizing.
However, there is an extra step that people sometimes skip in their skin care routine but really shouldn't and that's exfoliation.

Exfoliation is simply the way of removing dead skin cells from your body. There are several methods of doing this: using scrubs, exfoliating pads, washcloths and exfoliating machines. 

So why should you exfoliate?
To remove dead skin cells and unclog your pores. And why is this important?

First of all, removing dead skin cells from your skin allows the newer skin underneath to show. Often when people have a dull complexion or dull skin, it's due to a lack of exfoliating. With the old and dead skin cells still on the surface of your skin, the newer, fresher skin underneath stays hidden, giving you that tired, dull look to your skin or complexion.  
Clogged pores will also appear more prominent on your face, adding to that uneven complexion look, and also leads to pimples. 

The old skin cells on your skin also lessen the effect of moisturising. So you may be going through your normal routine of cleansing and moisturising but it's not having the full effect on your skin because the moisturiser is not getting to your fresh skin because the dead cells and other matter is in the way.
Exfoliating allows the moisturiser and all skin products you use get to the skin and penetrate it without anything in the way.  

Not exfoliating also affects make-up application, especially foundation. If the dead skin cells are still on your face, along with clogged pores, you won't get an even application of foundation, no matter what foundation you use or the method of application. Your foundation may then look cakey, uneven and mask-like.

So, in a nutshell, exfoliating improves your complexion by removing dead skin cells, allowing moisturisers to work to their full effect and the even application of make-up.

The method of exfoliation you use is totally up to personal preference and your skin type. Certain skin types need only a good buffing with a face cloth and they're happy. Other types may need a deeper exfoliation treatment like a good body or face scrub, or exfoliating pads or machines.
Body scrubs or face scrubs are the most common exfoliation methods and there is a huge variety available on the market, for any budget, with many different formulations.
And you can also make your own with various ingredients you have in the house like sugar. 

Bicarbonate soda or baking soda is a cheap but effective exfoliator. Mix with water for a paste or with other ingredients you prefer. The grains are small enough to exfoliate without being too abrasive as some people find sugar grains, especially brown sugar, to be too big.
However, be sure to test it on a patch of skin first before your apply it fully to your face to ensure it's not too harsh for your skin. 

Share with others below your own recipes for making your own scubs or what methods work for you.