The truth about exfoliation

Much has been said about facial scrubs and their benefits to the skin. But exfoliating the body is essential too, as regular scrubbing, if done the right way, will leave your skin feeling healthy, refreshed, and baby soft! Effective exfoliation can be a minefield to walk through with many often making the mistake of exfoliating too aggressively. You do not want to end up with damaged skin, which is why I have listed down a few helpful dos and don'ts to help you through your scrubbing journey.
DO wear sunscreen in general, but especially after exfoliating your face.
DON'T use a body scrub on your face. Your facial skin is far too sensitive for a body scrub's coarse exfoliants. If you would like to exfoliate your face, look for a dedicated face scrub that will have very fine exfoliants.
DO follow your scrub with body lotion or oil. This locks in the benefits and keeps your skin smooth and happy.
DON'T scrub every day. Your skin will thank you! Those with sensitive skin should use a lighter touch with scrubs. Use your best judgement, but no more than twice a week for most skin types.
DO try out your scrub on a small part of your body and wait for 24 hours to see if you have a reaction to the ingredients. This may seem like a pain, but your skin will thank you.
DON'T scrub on freshly-shaved parts of the body, or anywhere "sensitive". You will be happy you didn't. You can scrub before shaving, but don't overdo it.
DO exfoliate dry skin: While parched skin may feel sensitive, it's actually a good idea to exfoliate. "Glycolic acid removes cells on the surface that prevent water from absorbing into the skin," says dermatologist Dr. Schultz. Make sure to apply a strong moisturiser after exfoliating to lock in hydration.
DON'T exfoliate your scalp. Since your hair covers your scalp, you don't have to routinely exfoliate. Instead, use an acid-based shampoo to get rid of dry, flaky skin.
DO pick a scrub with natural ingredients. You don't want to rub chemicals like phthalates or parabens directly into your skin.
DON'T apply too much pressure when you're exfoliating using a mechanical method.
While there are aisles full of scrubs in your cosmetics stores, a scrub with a hefty price label doesn't necessarily have to be purchased. There are a variety of DIY-at-home scrubs you can make yourself depending on your preference of oil, scent and intensity. A favourite and very-easy-to-create recipe that I regularly use is a mixture of: granulated sugar, lavender oil and ground coconut.
Not too harsh on the skin and you come out smelling amazing. Happy scrubbing, ladies!
wknd@khaleejtimes.com