Blog

How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin

January 2, 2019
By: Dermatology Consultants of Frisco

Exfoliation is the process of simply removing your skin’s oldest cells, but don’t worry there’s no reason to fret. 

Most of those skin cells are already dead. Your skin replaces itself exponentially faster in your youth than it does further down the line. Thus, it is necessary to work exfoliation into your skincare regimen to keep it lush and soft. Exfoliation can be achieved through chemical or mechanical means. Shampoos and cleansers fall into the former, electric scrubbers and sponges fall into the latter. It is also recommended that one exfoliate their face at least once a week.

The Benefits of Exfoliation

According to Dermstore, there are 5 main benefits to exfoliation. The first of which is that exfoliation helps reduce the appearance of age spots. It does this through its removal of aged skin cells that contain that particular pigment. Secondly, exfoliation helps unclog the pores. Unclogging one’s pores allows for the release of natural skin oils like sebum which helps hydrate and revitalize the skin. The third is that exfoliation can help minimize pore size – this is key because bigger pores are more prone to over-secreting sebum. Exfoliation also reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, and lastly, it allows easier absorption of skincare products, e.g. moisturizers, antioxidants & serums.

The Dilemma

From what we’ve seen, we can ascertain that exfoliation is a net positive for your skin. However, it is an abrasive process – and if done with too much rigor can cause problems. Some of these problems include redness, dryness & flakiness. In addition to this, we have people with extremely sensitive skin types who are already susceptible to redness and irritation. In fact, you might be one of them. How do those with tender, highly reactive skin exfoliate without harming their skin? Well, allow us at Dermatology Consultants of Frisco to tell you how.

Tips

  • You should opt for chemical exfoliants, particularly acids – They help eliminate the debris on your skin’s surface. This is turn will helps unclog your pores. We recommend working with milder offerings and working your way up. This way, you’ll be able to better gauge your skin’s tolerance to an exfoliant. Starting off with a harsh chemical peel could be extremely counterproductive in the long run.
  • If you’re still keen on physical exfoliation, use washcloths and softer sponges. Many are usually skeptical about their usefulness as physical exfoliants. But they’re surprisingly good. Remember, with more sensitive skin, we recommend that you gently rub instead of scrubbing rigorously. The latter is bound to cause redness and irritation. Move the product not your skin.
  • Consider adding fruit to your skincare routine. There are a number of fruits with naturally occurring acids that provide a softer, gentler exfoliation than many of its chemical counterparts. We advise against using straight-up fruit juice – its acidic content might be far too high. Add it to a base made from water, yogurt and oils for the best results.

With the information you’ve gotten from this post, we trust you’ll begin to see that exfoliation is for everyone – even those with sensitive skin. To get even more personalized information and recommendations for your skincare routine, do not hesitate to contact us today.