Exfoliating is something I started incorporating in my skincare routine since my early teens. It started out as my weapon of choice in the battle against acne and hormonal breakouts, which then led to over exfoliating, which in turn led to hours of researching and trying to understand a simple statement of fact: exfoliation, when done right, benefits every skin type. I will spare you the scientific details I uncovered (this is a beauty blog after all) and present you with some key information that will hopefully make exfoliating a no-brainer.
What is exfoliation
Let’s begin by understanding what this process is. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface layers of the skin. This is typically accomplished via physical exfoliants such as scrubs or chemical exfoliants, such as peels.
Benefits of exfoliation
Exfoliating works wonders on the skin and I have compiled a list of reasons that will have you get on board pronto if you’re not already exfoliating regularly:
- Removes dead skin cells from pores making them appear smaller and thus helping with pesky blackheads and whiteheads
- Reveals fresh new cells, thus improving the skin’s texture and making the complexion appear fresh and luminous
- Stimulates blood flow to the face, making your complexion appear radiant and glowy
And as a result of the above:
- Skin appears softer and smoother
- Skincare products, from acne treatments to antiaging serums, absorb better
- Makeup looks flawless
How often
The answer here is it depends. Most dermatologists recommend once to twice a week, but it all depends on your skin type and sensitivity. Observe how your skin reacts, listen to how it feels and what it tries to communicate to you. For instance, I have sensitive and dry skin. It took some trial and error to realize that twice a week on a regular basis was a tad too much for me. My skin would look red and feel tender and irritated, signs that I was over-exfoliating. If you have oily skin and live in a hot and humid climate, you might need to exfoliate your skin more than twice a week to counter the buildup of dead skin cells. So there isn’t a one answer fits all.
How to
- Remove makeup and cleanse the skin. You need to have a perfectly cleansed canvas for the exfoliation process to properly penetrate thru the layers of the skin. Yes, exfoliation calls for a double cleanse. You have to first remove the visible traces of makeup (I like to use micellar water or the Ole Henriksen wipes, both reviewed here) and cleanse the skin with the product of your choice (I like using a balm such as the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm or Sunday Riley Blue Moon, reviews coming soon).
- This is an optional step, but you can choose to steam your face using one of those at home face steamers or you can alternately run a washcloth in hot water and place it over the face for 1-2 minutes, something that I like doing when I have some extra time (very rare these days). This process opens up the pores making the skin more responsive to exfoliation.
- Choose your exfoliant: it can be a brush such as the Clarisonic, a scrub or a chemical exfoliant with glycolic acid.
- Use lukewarm water to remove the scrub.
- Apply your serum and treatments. Follow with a moisturizer and layer on a face oil, if you so desire.
Helpful Tips
- Use products that are meant for the face. Usually body scrubs are grittier and can do more harm than good when used on the face.
- Use a light hand. Let the exfoliating particles do their job.
- Ensure that you always moisturize your face after exfoliation and always apply a sunscreen if you are going in the sun.
Personal Thoughts: Staying Yllo
On most weeks, I prefer to use a scrub. I have found that a scrub gives me more control over the process as I can vary the pressure when applying and massaging the product onto my super sensitive skin. One of the best finds of the year and a new favorite that has seen plenty of action over the past few weeks, has been the YLLO Turmeric scrub.
YLLO is an all-natural/vegan/cruelty-free face exfoliant I became familiar with while browsing Instagram, the place where I probably spent more hours than I sleep. For me, Instagram is not just the home of pretty photos. It is a place of discovery, creative ideas, and inspiration for late night purchases. It’s how I get my news, how I come up with recipes for my daily meals, and how I find myself in need of things I didn’t even know existed. Meet YLLO, or the scrub responsible for thousands of people posting beautiful golden yellow (hence the name YLLO) selfies all over Instagram. I wanted to join in the fun, I wanted a golden selfie, I wanted YLLO. Promise that’s not the only reason why I love this scrub so much!
The ingredient list is what immediately attracted me to the product. It reads like something I could concoct in my own kitchen if I was a bit DIY crafty and had more time at my disposal. Very few ingredients and all with names I can pronounce, the star of the show being turmeric (which is what gives the golden yellow tint). Turmeric is a spice originally from Southern Asia that has been used in holistic medicine since early days due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It helps brighten the skin and diminish the appearance of scars and dark spots. In addition to turmeric, YLLO is also formulated with chickpea flour (for additional buffing of the skin), cold pressed coconut oil (for moisture), cane sugar and sea salt (for exfoliation), pure vitamin E (for conditioning the skin) and essential lemon oil (for brightening). All powerhouse ingredients meant to transform the skin from dull to dewy, leaving the complexion bright and glowy.
The scrub comes in the form of a yellow powder that upon mixing with lukewarm water turns into a paste-like, gritty texture. Massage the paste all over the face and stay yellow for 15-20 minutes (so this is definitely the kind of scrub you need to plan to use). Since I have sensitive skin, I usually opt to keep it on for 15 minutes, still ample time to snap an Instagram selfie (you can follow me @DailyCatL ). I will caution you that the scrub has a very strong, earthy scent of Turmeric, that dissipates once you rinse off. Although I’m not a fan of the scent, I didn’t find it bothersome nor did it prevent me from using the scrub. I’ve used the scrub for about two months now on a weekly basis and on a few occasions, even twice a week during those hot, humid and torrid Florida summer days, but with me the key is always to mildly exfoliate by using light pressure. The scrub draws everything out without aggravating the skin, leaves my face feeling soft and my complexion appears more radiant, glowy and healthy-looking. Thus smelling the turmeric for 15 minutes is really a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
I am also equally as impressed with the brand YLLO and their dedication to bring awareness to a very devastating and terrible problem, child marriage. Every 10% of the sale of their YLLO Turmeric Scrub goes to help fight and end child marriage, a noble cause that deserves our attention and needs our help.
What are some of your favorite exfoliants? Leave me your suggestions in the comments down below.
More Articles Like This ...
5 Steps to Shaving Less Often and Prolonging a Clean Shave
My Skincare Secrets: the Daytime Edition
What’s New in My Beauty Routine | Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery Moisturizer with SPF50
Charlotte Tilbury NEW Eyes To Mesmerize in Star Gold and Rose Gold
The NEW La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation | Review and Swatches
I love the post as I’ve also struggled with understanding how to properly exfoliate my sensitive skin and how often. I have read about the benefits of turmeric and I’m very intrigued by this scrub. I also really appreciate that they give back to such a noble cause. Great review and your photos are always so beautiful!
Angie
Love this post! I never thought about using warm water to remove the chemical exfoliant, but I may try that next time.
I really like how natural the YLLO Tumeric Scrub is, and props to them for supporting such a great cause!
You are indeed a beauty encyclopedia and I have the best time reading about the products you use and your honest thoughts on them. This product sounds terrific and I am a big fan of a facial scrub … actually, any scrub!! Dead skin must be gone!!
Thank you for sharing this product with us that also supports a terrific cause – I will definitely be checking them out soon. Have a beautiful evening darling.
So informative! Been guilty for bad exfoliatiln during years in my teens till I realised what i was doing was wrong! Love tumeric, and this seems a great product for a great cause!! Great read!
Great review and excellent key points on exfoliation! As far as physical exfoliants go, I still really like enzymatic products for sensitive skin types, such as Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica. If I remember correctly, you reviewed a product that appeared similar in description with your post on the Farmacy products. Beautiful pics and I love when you sneak your pup in, especially in your IG stories.
Such a great post and awesome tips! I have been hearing such great things about Turmeric masks and the benefits but I have never tried it before except for cooking. I think I need to look into it some more. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post!
Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com
Wonderful overview of exfoliation! One of the toughest parts to developing a routine for myself has been finding good exfoliation. This scrub sounds fun and, best of all, effective! Beautiful yellow selfie too! xoxo
You have the best YLLO selfie Ever. I’m sold on YLLO hopefully they will increase the 10% to maybe 30% on donating to Child Marriage, I’ve seen and been on those Countries long time ago and it’s very real and sad. But let’s go back to skin care because the Child Marriage is such a sensitive subject. About exfoliating because I have oily skin I have to exfoliate 2-3 times a week to avoid any clogging of sebum (yak). I love the steps you provide on this blog, as we get caught up in our busy life sometimes we forget even the simplest steps and for that I thank you. I love reading your blog because it always takes me back to what I know and should do instead of some shortcuts sometimes ?. And the turmeric doesn’t bother me, been around those spices and even the fresh turmeric I love them all especially on my curry recipe’s. I will definitely place an order of this one of this days.
How you can sit there with a bright yellow face and still look good is beyond me! hahahah ….. what a unique concept and the ingredients sound amazing as all so good. I had no idea about the benefits of tumeric other than cooking so you really do learn something new everyday. I love what the brand stands for of course as it really feels good to know your beauty habits are actually benefiting others.
I have preached for years to clients, friends, followers etc about how important exfoliating the skin – its such a simple step too! I love my old fave from La Prairie but the Elemis Skin Buff has been working wonders of late, as well as the Anne Semonin Exfoliating mask for days when more is needed.
Brilliant, informative post as always Cat and you taught me something new! K xxx
http://www.KELLiLASH.com
Sooooo, I just bought some organic turmeric and I wanted to make a face mask using it and I’m scared to death I will dye my skin orange. LOL I will be thoroughly researching and testing before I take the plunge. LOLOL. I’ve tried some masks from Kiehl which were really nice with turmeric and this one you have sounds wonderful! It’s such an amazing ingredient.
Cat, another wonderful and very informative post. I really enjoy reading everything and consider exfoliating as part of my weekly routine.
Now, you know that you are my lovely enabler and now I need to try that YLLO scrub mask. And more knowing that they fight against child marriage.
Thank you very much for all time you dedicate to us and you look wonderful with the yellow mask.
Sending you a lot of love,
Mar
Love the snap of you looking glamourous with it on! Gorgeous flatlay at the top too, it’s so bright and vibrant which I always find difficult to make work so great job! Loved reading this post lovely, I’ve been a bit worried that turmeric would stain my face and I’d end up looking like the Simpsons but I’m so glad you’ve had good results with this scrub, definitely want to try it now! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.barelytherebeauty.com
xx
This scrub sounds amazing for my dry and sensitive skin too :)) Thanks a lot for sharing Cat and have a great start to the week ! Kisses
Kédidja | beautymoodboard.com
I’m an exfoliation junkie, thanks for all your precious tips Cat!
XXX
C
http://www.beautiqueblog.com
Such a helpful post! I am an exfoliation junkie, I always look for new products to try. Love your sweet dog by the way, we need to see more photos like this!
Yes Exfoliation is good practice in a robust skincare routine I am always going back and forth over manual exfoliation or chemical exfoliation. I never use strong enough chemical peels so I always end up need a manual backup.
But this is a well written article and a great reminder about the pros of routine. That Turmeric scrub from YLLO I love. Helped me with breakouts so much.
Only you could make a yellow selfie look so glamorous! Really enjoyed reading this post and learning more beauty knowledge from you!
Sounds like a fabulous product.
Lisa
Beauxdiaries.com xxx
I try to exfoliate once a week but I think I need to start doing it more often (maybe twice a week . Also the YLLO seems like great product with maximized results, is it okay to use on darker skin? Just curious. This post was very informative to me. Great post Cat!