winter exfoliation tips
The biggest problem I see in my treatment room is that people with dry skin are afraid to exfoliate and don’t exfoliate nearly enough. The dead skin accumulates leaving the complexion dull, lackluster and scaly. This also makes it impossible for your serums and moisturizers to penetrate and work properly, making you even more dry.
The opposite is also true, many people become over-zealous and have unknowingly purchased too many exfoliating products. They aren’t even aware that they are using for example salicylic acid in 4 or more products. YIKES! Then the barrier is compromised, red, stinging and peeling for a week and they become anxious to every exfoliate again. This is a common problem with an easy solution.
I want my clients to find the perfect balance of exfoliation with a combination of enzymes, acids, granular polish and vitamin A spaced out just enough, so you get the results without the nightmare problems mentioned above. Let’s learn about the different ways to exfoliate.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANUAL & CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION?
Manual Exfoliation includes a physical polish, bead or granular scrub that gently buffs away dead skin cells using your fingertips.
Chemical Exfoliation includes alpha or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic, glycolic and lactic to gently loosen cellular glue so that dead skin cells can lift off and melt away. They also include fruit enzymes like papaya, pumpkin and vitamin A derivatives like retinol.
WHICH EXFOLIANT IS RIGHT FOR ME IF I’M JUST STARTING OUT?
My recommendation is to pick one manual exfoliant combined with chemical exfoliating fruit enzymes to do once or twice a week. Example = Wild Coast Brightening Enzyme Polish.
Also, pick one acid exfoliation product & one vitamin A exfoliation product. Examples = Forest Dew Exfoliating Toner & Radiant Peak Retinol OR Alpine Radiance & Moonrise Dream Cream OR Treeline Exfoliating Pads and Azure Moon Clear Skin.
Acid Exfoliation can be done once weekly and Retinol can be used 3-7 nights a week to increase cellular turnover and takes one month for the skin to adjust properly.
An ideal exfoliation schedule that works for most of my client’s and customers using a manual/enzymatic/acid/vitamin A product looks something like this, but can be further customized for the individual. EXAMPLE = A.M Tue/Thurs (Wild Coast Brightening Enzyme Polish) A.M Tuesdays (Treeline Exfoliating Pads) P.M. Mon/Wed/Fri (Radiant Peak Retinol) This will deliver all exfoliating ingredients effectively without over-exfoliating or compromising the skin barrier while delivering dramatic glowing results.
Dewy and radiant is possible, even in the winter months living at high altitude and just needs the perfect combination of different types of exfoliation and nourishing products. Let us help you get it right!
STILL NOT SURE WHICH PRODUCTS TO PICK?
Email our expert Esthetician for product recommendations by telling us your skin type/concerns and we will send you back what we think is best for your skin to achieve balanced, exfoliated healthy skin.