We all want it – the glossy cheeks and rosy flush of youth. We can't help you turn back the clock, but we can tell you that youthful, more radiant skin comes down to exfoliation, and there's never been a better time to take up scrubbing and sloughing. From two-in-one cleansers to salicylic acid solutions and at-home microdermabrasion or peel kits, women today have a myriad of choices. But which one? How often? And how do brighteners fit in?
Picking the right product – or combination of products – for your face has a little to do with the properties of the potion, a little to do with your age and a lot to do with your skin type. Need clarity? Read on.
Step 1: Exfoliate
"Exfoliation removes dead or damaged cells from the skin's top layer, cleans out pores and helps minimize blemishes," says Dr. Kucy Pon, a dermatologist for Olay. "Overall, the skin is cleaner and appears smoother, so light reflects back better, making the skin glow."
Step 2: Brighten and hydrate
Brighteners usually lighten skin discoloration, brown patches and age spots. Along with antioxidants, they generally contain small amounts of chemical bleaching agents or botanical alternatives. Many also contain pearlized particles that reflect light, tricking the eye with superficial brilliance. Smoothed over hard surfaces -- cheekbones and forehead -- they turn dull into dazzle.
Step 3: Eyes
The eye area is too delicate for standard exfoliation, but you can still turn up the glow with eye-specific treatments.
Finding the perfect match
There are two general classes of exfoliators: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliation products remove dead skin cells by physically abrading them with either a cleansing cloth or a scrub containing sand, salt or synthetic beads. Chemical exfoliators contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic and salicylic acid, beta hydroxy acids or retenoic acid (retinol).
Most dermatologists prefer chemical agents because they penetrate deeper and have the added benefit of stimulating cell renewal and collagen synthesis. The result? Increased radiance.
But chemical exfoliators are not for everyone. Those with sensitive skin (and those with rosacea) may find this class of products too harsh. Similarly, if you have dry skin, chemical polishers may be more exfoliation than your skin can handle. Most skin types benefit from a gentle to moderate mechanical scrub. Whether your skin is oily, combination, acne-prone or slightly dry, it's a matter of tuning into the right frequency.
Page 1 of 2 – Find out how often to exfoliate your skin on page 2.
