Say goodbye to concoctions: this is the right way to exfoliate naturally

Why do we set aside "concoctions"?

Exfoliation here, exfoliation there, use an acid, make your own homemade mask... It's unclear at what point in history skincare became an escape room with thousands of tools.

If you think that a good facial hygiene routine, or skincare, requires many types of products in a single application, you are mistaken. What a good cleansing does need is to exfoliate the skin to prevent irregularities, redness, and the hateful acne and its marks.

Have you been properly explained what pores are and why you should keep them clean? Surely you only have a vague idea that sebum and dead skin cells accumulate on your face. But the importance of this cleansing truly lies in the behavior of your skin type.

We explain everything below!

Cellular renewal

What are pores and how do they influence the skin?

Pores are openings that release sweat and sebum, especially in the oily areas of the face, such as the nose and chin. In the skin, a process of cellular renewal takes place, where dead skin cells appear on the epidermis. Meanwhile, new cells that are regenerating remain beneath it.

These help us to perspire and cool us down, so the healthy appearance your skin has or lacks depends on your pores. The sebum they produce, that oily moisturizing substance, keeps your skin soft and flexible. While it has beneficial properties, if not cared for, it leads to short- and long-term consequences.

Why do dead cells and sebum accumulate?

Excess sebum mixes with dead cells, clogging the pores so they can enlarge and become more visible. From approximately 0.2 square millimeters that normal pores measure, they can enlarge up to 3 times more. So, if they are dirty, the accumulated dirt can also be seen with the naked eye.

INTERESTING: The word "exfoliation" refers to exfoliare from Latin, meaning to shed leaves, that is, to remove layers of skin.

Factors that worsen the condition of the skin

There are different factors that affect pore obstruction besides sebum and dead cells:

• Makeup: it accumulates in the pores over time, it is essential to remove makeup.
• Pollution: there are particles in the environment that accumulate on the skin. These external agents can also irritate it, so it is important to clean the pores well.
• Skin type: genetics are unavoidable, however, you can focus on your skin type and thus control pore obstruction. If you have oily skin, you likely have more open pores than other people, as sebum accumulation causes them to expand. Don't worry! If you learn how to clean them properly, they will appear smaller.

An important part of pores are the sebaceous filaments, where there is a hair and through which sebum from the sebaceous glands emerges. When they become clogged, they produce pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads which can leave marks when they disappear. These are vulnerable to bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, which proliferate on the surface. If the filaments are not cleaned, they can lengthen and resemble facial hair.

These can become blackheads if the sebum is exposed to oxygen, thus oxidizing and darkening. Everyone has sebaceous filaments, however, those with oily skin tend to have them more visible. And it's okay, because it's completely natural and has a remedy.

VERY IMPORTANT: do not extract sebum from pores on your own. It is not possible to make it disappear, only to clean it. We tell you in this blog how!

Even drier skin types also experience these issues, as dead skin cells accumulate and clog pores. And even if they are not saturated, they will still appear larger due to their rough texture.

Types of exfoliation

Physical exfoliation:

Also called mechanical, it is based on the use of exfoliants with granules or sponges and brushes, removing the superficial layer of your skin with friction.

Typically, microparticles of specific sizes are used to avoid damaging the skin with scratches. Even so, it is important to apply them gently and not press while massaging in circular motions with the exfoliant.

The use of physical exfoliants with medium or large grains is not recommended for sensitive skin, skin with atopic dermatitis or acne, nor for the driest skin. However, if you have oily or normal skin, its use with any size grain is recommended 1-3 times a week. Even so, it is always preferable to use an exfoliant with a small grain size to avoid scratching the skin's surface.

Chemical exfoliation:

This exfoliation is known as chemical peelings; they don't contain granules, and no massaging is needed for them to take effect. Their ingredients include acids or enzymes that cause this exfoliation when applied, as they are not only known as "exfoliants" but also as serums, masks, toners...

This type of exfoliation requires more caution, as applying such abrasive substances to the skin of the face, which is quite sensitive and contains very important mucous membranes for its proper functioning, is dangerous. In fact, you can find some products that are recommended for daily or alternate day use due to their low concentration. But honestly, are you monitoring the concentrations of the products you use? Do you consider their cumulative effects to avoid intoxication?

Please, read their instructions to avoid irreversible damage due to acidic ingredients. Among them, you'll see they are recommended for night use to prevent them from reacting with other natural substances you might find in the environment, such as oxides or even sunlight (UV and IR rays).

A general problem: increased sensitivity

We are increasingly experiencing irritation problems on the skin. If we look back, it wasn't as common for people to have sensitive skin before. 60-70% of women say they have sensitive skin, compared to 50-60% of men, according to Miranda A. Farage in the study The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin (2019).

However, everything originates from the use of abrasive chemical or natural products that weaken the epidermis, leading to long-term problems. This is compounded by the effect of environmental pollution, a nutrient-poor diet, bad habits like smoking or drinking alcohol, excessive cleansing...

The definition of sensitive skin is based on very subjective characteristics that prioritize pain or discomfort. This feeling is caused by stimuli that normally shouldn't affect it in that way and are also related to skin redness.

According to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI) in Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin (2020), this highly sensitive skin behavior may be related to alteration of the nerves connected to it.

You're probably used to hearing that for your filaments or pores, you need exfoliation with alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Which ones are these? Lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid... You've probably heard them many times, they are identified as AHA and BHA.

They are recommended for use only at night, as they react with sunlight, which can cause burns and dreaded pigmentation that is then extremely difficult to remove.

Benefits of exfoliated skin

Exfoliation has its very good points, not only for improving the appearance of pores, but also because it helps you not to waste product. If pores are exfoliated, they allow for better absorption and therefore better penetration of products. Do you want a better result? Well, you know what to do, clean those little pores.

Among its benefits are:

• Cellular renewal and smoothing of expression lines.

Exfoliation activates the skin's natural regeneration, softening fine lines, spots, or marks that can diminish facial luminosity.

• Stimulation of blood circulation and toxin elimination.

It promotes microcirculation, which helps oxygenate the skin and eliminate accumulated impurities, leaving it fresher and more vital.

• Better absorption of moisturizing products.

Clean skin free of dead cells makes better use of cosmetics, allowing creams and serums to penetrate more effectively.

• Prevention of pore obstruction and sebum control.

Exfoliation regulates sebum secretion, preventing excess oil that causes acne and pore enlargement.

• Stimulation of collagen and maintenance of skin elasticity

It helps maintain the skin's natural firmness and elasticity, preventing premature signs of aging.

It is the largest organ in our body, with 2 square meters of extension and an approximate weight of 5 kg according to Dr. Margarita Larralde, head of the Dermatology Service at Hospital Alemán.

It allows the most important functions of our skin:

The best natural exfoliant for your face: GRACE

Now that you know how important exfoliation is, are you ready to try the best exfoliant for your face? 120 women tried GRACE for 1 month and it was shown: