Out with the old; in with the new: It’s the perfect January skincare mantra. If extreme weather or too much holiday fun has left your complexion dull and dry, one of the fastest and most effective ways to make a change is to exfoliate — that is, to remove old skin cells, revealing newer skin underneath.
Exfoliating helps with cell turnover, the natural shedding of dead cells that slows down as we age. If these cells accumulate, skin can feel rough and look dull. Exfoliation helps remove some of that debris, so skin is smoother and reflects light more evenly.
There are two different ways to accomplish this instant New Year’s transformation: Mechanical exfoliators polish away dead cells using granules, such as sugar or salt crystals. Chemical exfoliators, which include glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid, dissolve the bond between old cells and the newer ones underneath.
So which exfoliation method is better? Rodan + Fields founders Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields recommend both. “We’re fans of both gentle chemical and mechanical exfoliation, with the key word being ‘gentle,” they explain in their book Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change. “In our experience, it takes the perfect combination of the two to dissolve the bonds between cells without irritating skin and to sweep away dead cells, leaving skin soft and smooth.”
The Doctors’ advice: “Don’t overdo it.” If you don’t exfoliate regularly and want to start, or if you’ve only used one kind of exfoliator and would like to add the chemical or mechanical product you’re missing, give your skin time to get used to it:
Start slow, and don’t overscrub. If your skin looks red or feels raw, take a break and give it a chance to recover. Treat your face and body differently. The skin on elbows, knees and heels may respond well to daily exfoliation, while your face may prefer it every few days. And avoid the temptation to use a body scrub on your face; the exfoliating particles may be too aggressive. (If you’re looking for one scrub formulated for both face and body, try our ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste .) For best results, moisturize after you exfoliate.
Looking for exfoliating products from Rodan + Fields?
CHEMICAL EXFOLIATORS
Face
REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum
REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream
REDEFINE Pore Minimizing Toner
REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash
REVERSE Dual Active Brightening Complex
REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner
REVERSE Skin Lightening Toner
REVERSE Skin Lightening Treatment
UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner
Body
REDEFINE Brightening Hand Treatment
MECHANICAL EXFOLIATORS
Face
REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask
REDEFINE AMP MD Derma-Roller
REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash
ESSENTIALS Instant Makeup Remover Wipes
ESSENTIALS Gauze Pads
Face and body
ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste
What’s your favorite exfoliating product?
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