Exfoliating the dead skin cells is one of the most important things anyone can do for the skin. It can also be a very confusing thing. If you can get the exfoliation correctly you will be able to get a wonderful looking skin. However, if you do use it in the wrong way your skin would look like you have used sandpaper.
Exfoliation for men gets very complicated because all men have to shave their facial beard. In the below article you will come to understand the benefits of exfoliation and which is the best exfoliator to use on your face.
Many men have a question about exfoliating before or after shaving. In this article you would also understand the best way to exfoliate before and after shaving. Exfoliating your skin depends on the skin type and how often you should do the exfoliation of your skin type.
What Are The Benefits Of Exfoliation?
Exfoliation is another step of skin care and will make sure that your skin glows and also keeps your skin healthy and young. It removes the dead skin and increases the cell renewal and also helps to repair the skin. This makes your skin look extremely young and glowing.
- The texture of your skin becomes smoother.
- The overall skin tone improves and the pores on your skin becomes smaller.
- Gets rid of black heads.
- Reduces ingrown hair.
- Your moisturizer works better when you exfoliate your skin, allowing it to be hydrated.
- The blood circulation increases on your face allowing the nutrients to come up to the surface. Leading it to become a healthy and vibrant skin.
Why Is Exfoliating So Important?
Many times you would see that there is a built up of dead skin which looks like a razor bump and your facial skin also has a lot of ingrown hair. Exfoliating can improve the overall skin texture of your face.
Also, if you have a beard and if you have been exfoliating regularly you can keep the dandruff away. The skin quality would improve and keep the beard hair follicles healthy and clear. It also encourages beard growth.
What Can I Use To Exfoliate My Face?
Facial scrubs should not be limited to the usual grainy exfoliation. These can be very harsh on the skin, especially if your skin is very sensitive.
Basically, there are two different types of exfoliant that you can use:
- Physical
- Chemical
Physical Exfoliants:
- Facial brushes and electronic cleaning devices.
- Sponges or washcloths.
- Facial Scrubs.
Chemical Exfoliants
- There are many natural substances such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids that can either be used on your face wash or also as an exfoliating lotion in a separate manner.
- They can also be used as a professional chemical peel.
What Is The Best Way To Exfoliate Your Face?
A lot of things depend on your personal choice and also your skin type. However, many men recommend natural, gentle chemical exfoliant when it comes to exfoliating your skin. There are numerous options which you can use:
- Exfoliating Scrubs: The exfoliating beads have a different mechanical action against epidermis and cause micro tears. It also makes your face and body more susceptible to aggressors in the environment and causes irritation. However, if you like a satisfying process of removing the dead skin cells, you can try to choose one of the cream-based scrubs for sensitive skin. Never go for scrubs which have fruits pits or nut shell extracts in it. Instead, you can opt for a scrub which has a smooth scrub base which has round granules.
- Facial Brushes and Electronic Cleaning Devices, Sponges, Wash Clothes: All these tools are very effective and there is a huge risk of spreading bacteria unless you keep them in a very clean manner.
- Professional Chemical Peel: The most effective of the exfoliating options. However, it is not for the faint hearted as it is a very harsh treatment. Make sure you consult a trusted and certified practitioner and avoid going in the sun afterwards. The risk of sun burns increases after this exfoliation.
- Natural Chemical Exfoliants: A chemical exfoliant is good if you can follow the policy of little and often usage of the products.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acid is a mild way to exfoliate your skin and thus acts as antioxidants which will help the skin to naturally repair and induce collagen production as well as gently target in removing the skin cells which are dead. Natural chemicals can exfoliate in a form of a lotion as well.
So, you can gently try to exfoliate your skin everyday with a daily face wash which contains a mild AHA or lactic Acid. If you leave it for just 2 minutes, it will enhance the exfoliating effect. The one which works best for the face skin also works best for the rest of the body. Whether you are exfoliating the chest or the leg, it is better to use a chemical exfoliant.
How Often Should I Exfoliate My Face?
Exfoliating your face depends on the method that you are using and also the skin sensitivity. So, the basic rule for exfoliating is to apply:
- Exfoliating Face Brush or Facial Scrub: 1-3 times in a week, for a less sensitive skin.
- Exfoliating Lotion: Every night for all skins but recommended 1-3 times for sensitive skins.
- Face Wash with Gentle Exfoliators: Twice a day for most skin types.
Is It Better To Exfoliate In The Morning Or In The Evening?
There is no exact information to this question. Actually, it depends on the exfoliant that you are using for your skin and how it reacts to your skin. If you are using an exfoliating face wash then it is safe to use it any time of day and night. When you use it in the morning it will clean the excess oil which accumulates during the night. At night, it cleans the sweat and the debris of the day and removes the dead skin of your face.
However, if you have used a facial scrub exfoliating face wash in the morning then it is better not to be too rough or your skin will be too red and rough and it will be too embarrassing for you. So, it would be better to use it at night.
Many men plan on using a strong exfoliating lotion which are chemical in nature. If you apply them in the night the exfoliating lotion would be a safe to use as you would not be exposing your skin to the sun.
Should I Exfoliate Or Wash My Face First?
Experts have also recommended to use an exfoliating face wash that can both exfoliate and wash your face. However, if you are using an exfoliator scrub then it is better to use it first and then use the then you wash your face with the face wash. It will help you in removing the irritating particles that might be there on your skin.
Is It Possible To Exfoliate Too Much?
Yes, your skin might get exfoliated too much.
When you use an exfoliating scrub, it should do only once or twice a week. Not more than that. Exfoliating too much can dry out the skin and irritate the upper layer of the face. It will lead to producing more oil to compensate for the damage on the skin. However, if you are using an exfoliator which is gentle, then you can use it twice a day.
Your Skin Type And Exfoliation: How Often Should You Exfoliate And What Should You Use For Your Sensitive Skin?
Sometimes you need to check to understand what your skin can tolerate without it becoming extremely dry. However, it is best not to use any rough grainy scrubs or strong exfoliants which are known for its chemical nature. Using face wash every day, even if you have sensitive skin is a good thing for your skin. Use a face wash which has hydrating Glycerin and Aloe Vera which is very soothing and would leave your face feeling very comfortable and tight.
How to Exfoliate Other Skin Types?
Dry skin – Avoiding any strong exfoliants is the first thing you need to do. Strong exfoliants can irritate your face and are the main cause of dryness. For skin which is sensitive, a gentle exfoliating face wash is a must. Oily skin – can be very benefited by exfoliation if used daily. It will nicely clear the pores of the skin and reduce blackheads. It even decreases the chance of acne breakout. However, many men who have oily skin generally over-exfoliate using harsh chemical products. This will completely dry out and irritate the upper layer of the skin, leading to producing more oil. Hence creating a vicious circle which will go on continuously. This process can be helped if you use gentle exfoliators.
How Many Times Should You Exfoliate Your Oily Skin?
When you adapt the rule of ‘little and often’ and use exfoliators which can gently exfoliate every day, as they are available in a face wash. You will notice that your face is glowing and looking fresh as it is getting all of the immediate benefits of exfoliation. To add to it, it is not even causing any irritation or unwanted increase in the oiliness of the skin.
Exfoliation If You Have an Acne?
Many men think that exfoliation isn’t a good idea when you have an acne problem on the face, most of it is true, that scrubbing your skin that is red and inflamed is correct. However, it is very important to treat the dead skin when you are suffering from acne is the most important part of the treatment. This is because the bacteria which cause acne survive on dead skin cells.
Exfoliation is a process by which you can limit the number of dead cells that are there on your face and also reduces the lifespan on your face. Both these factors remove the acne from your skin.
However, make sure that you should avoid grainy scrubs if you are suffering from acne. These grainy scrubs can cause skin inflammation on your skin, because of the scrubbing. If the irritation of the skin increases then it would not be good for you.
Everyone knows that brushes and facial sponges are the breeding ground for most bacteria. Skin which is prone to acne should always use chemical exfoliants which are gentle and would not cause any allergic reaction.
There are many chemical exfoliants which are excellent but the one which is perfect for acne treatment is: Salicylic Acid.
Most men who are suffering from acne also have a high oil production on the skin. Salicylic acid is one of the exfoliants which can dissolve well in oil, and can easily travel deep into the skin pores.
Salicylic Acid has the below qualities in it:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Anti-redness
- It even reduces the acne.
Exfoliation and Shaving: Better to Exfoliate Before or After Shaving the Face?
Exfoliating is a must before shaving. It removes the dead skin cells. Hence the beard can be shaved without less pressure and also the chance of irritation reduces. The ingrown hairs can also be removed. However, make sure that the scrubs you are using are gentle to the skin.
Exfoliating the Face When You Have a Beard?
The dandruff on your beard can spoil your look. Dandruff occurs because the beard hair creates a wall to any skincare products that you use. The whole face might be smooth, nourished and hydrated. However, the skin under your beard becomes dry and itches a lot.
So, if you have a beard you need to make some adjustments.
If you follow the two steps regularly you can easily remove the dandruff and protect your facial skin from flaking any further.
Firstly, make sure to exfoliate with a beard exfoliator brush. The brush will lift up the flaky skin from your face.
Secondly, always clean with lactic-acid facial wash which acts as an exfoliator as well. This will naturally remove the dead skin that the exfoliator brush has lifted for you.