Hi Lauren 😍
First of all, I just wanna take this opportunity to thank you for your support.
Also, thank you for this wonderful question. At Graydon Skincare, we love that after-exfoliation-glow as much as the next person, but want to caution everyone to exfoliate responsibly. Despite being super effective at getting rid of dead skin cells, exfoliating can be damaging to the skin if not done properly.
So today, I’ll give you the skinny on the art of scrubbing:
Listen to your skin
Here’s the thing, everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person might not work for you. So before venturing into the world of exfoliation, ask yourself this one question, "Can my skin tolerate being exfoliated?"
The truth is, some people's skin can easily become red and inflamed even when massaged. And if you happen to be one of those people, then scrubbing your skin might be a bit too much for your skin and you may want to rethink your exfoliation strategy.
Perhaps a gentle chemical exfoliator would be a better option for you. If that's the case, then look for a product that contains enzymes, AHAs or BHAs. Our Face Foam Cleanser works wonders at smoothing the complexion with natural BHA from white willow bark extract.
Avoid harsh scrubs
Even if your skin can tolerate a physical exfoliant, there are certain things you should just avoid altogether.
Case in point: Physical exfoliants that contain rough particles like crushed walnut shells. If you were to put these shells under a microscope, you would see that they have sharp, jagged edges. Exfoliating your skin using crushed walnut shells can result in micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to long-term skin damage. Any temporary benefits you may see is not worth the risk, imo.
Instead, look for gentler alternatives, such as an exfoliating glove, exfoliating towel or konjac sponge (like our Bamboo Charcoal Sponge).
Scrub gently
If you’re at all like my younger self and like to go to town whenever you scrub your skin, then I highly suggest you stop doing that.
Here’s the truth: Your dead skin cells naturally shed on their own every day. And the point of exfoliation is just to help your skin shed more gracefully. So really, there’s no need for you to aggressively scrub your face like you hate it. This could actually cause your skin to become red and irritated and nobody wants that.
Simply use a gentle, circular motion when exfoliating your skin. That’s more than enough!
Replenish your skin afterwards
By getting rid of dead skin cells, you’re temporarily disrupting the skin's protective function. As a result, your skin may briefly become vulnerable and dry. So you need to make sure you provide your skin barrier with proper nourishment.
To do that, look for products that contain ceramides - one of the main components of your skin barrier. Skin Stuff Face + Eye Cream is an excellent option. You can also take care of your skin microbiome with prebiotics and probiotics, which can be found in Berry Rich Face + Eye Cream. To learn lore about the importance of ceramides and the microbiome, click here.
And of course, it goes without saying that hydration is key. Make sure your skin doesn't become dry by using water-based products such as Face Food Mineral Mist and Fullmoon Serum.
Got any other skin-related questions? #AskGraydon ❤️
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