It still feels like summer here in Los Angeles, so how is it possible that Starbucks is already bringing back the Pumpkin Spice Latte?! Are your kids back in school? Are your lazy days at the beach or pool feeling like a distant memory?
As we move from one season to the next, the question is… how do we transition our summer skin into our autumn skin?
The answer is simple: Exfoliate. It’s time to chisel off the layers of sunscreen you have so diligently applied to protect against sun damage and possible skin cancer. It’s time to remove the sticky dead skin cells we developed during the summer from salty air, airplane rides, pool chlorine, and all other outdoor fun.
Sorry to be a buzz-kill but it’s time to say goodbye to that sunkissed tan!
So Why Exfoliate
Lemme break it down for you (No pun intended!).
Exfoliating is simply the act of removing dead skin cells. Dead skin cells build up naturally and constantly, by no fault of our own. Post summer is a GREAT time to help the skin shed.
Of course, exfoliation is not a seasonal treat to our skin. We must do this all year round to avoid dead skin cells building up, and to keep your skin glowy.
Dead skin removal is key to fixing the things that concern most of us, such as breakouts, “sun spots”, fine lines, and uneven tone.
Different Types of Exfoliation
Exfoliation does not have to be a huge effort. You know I like to keep skincare simple for you. It doesn’t have to be crazy, down to the skull, peel. Starting off your routine with a weekly gentle exfoliation like every Sunday – is how I do it with my Instagram followers. If you don’t have time to go see your esthetician BFF (aka: me), here are the most common at-home exfoliation methods:
- Scrub
- Mask
- Sleep in Serum
As you all know, I am lazy when it comes to my own skincare routine; I prefer products that work at night while I sleep, so I rotate my night serum or moisturizer with an exfoliating serum.
Exfoliating Ingredients in Your Skincare
Retinol
Perhaps you have heard all about the benefits of retinol and how one should start incorporating this in their routines. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that increases skin cell production and unclogs pores. Retinol also promotes cell turnover and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
Retinol helps to remove those pesky dead skin cells thereby lightening pigmentation and smoothing out the appearance of fine lines.
If you’re just about to start incorporating retinol in your evening routine, you must be careful not to mix it with other actives – especially glycolic acid, which we’ll be discussing shortly.
Here are some good combos to make the most of your retinol:
- For skin barrier protection: retinol + ceramides or niacinamide
- For hydration: retinol + glycerin or hyaluronic acid or ceramides
Make sure to wear sunscreen daily, as retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic Acid
Another common exfoliating ingredient is glycolic acid which is a naturally-occuring compound in certain fruits, beetroot, and sugarcane. It’s a common skincare ingredient to treat skin conditions or to improve skin texture and appearance by shedding off the top layer of the skin without manual scrubbing – which could irritate your skin.
Like any other exfoliating product, be careful not to apply too often because it can cause skin irritation or skin barrier damage. When used correctly, it also helps in clearing breakouts, brightening complexion, and promotes skin elasticity.
You can find pre-soaked pads that contain glycolic acid, or serums to sleep in. There are lots of options to exfoliate with. If you want a deeper understanding of exfoliation pop over to my other blog post, Skincare Essential 201, it will give you an in-depth explanation of the variety of exfoliation products available to you.
What to Use
Here are a few different products you can start with:
SCRUB
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
This scrub uses pumpkin enzymes, glycolic acid and microcrystals to smooth and polish the skin.
RETINOL
Significantly improves skin radiance, brightness, smoothness, fine lines, photodamage, and overall skin tone also contains Squalane to hydrate and soothe the skin.
SLEEP IN SERUM
Contains Glycolic Acid to reveal a smoother, more luminous-looking complexion, Licorice Root Extract to reduce pigmentation with soothing antioxidant properties as well as silk proteins to sustain hydration.
PRE-SOAKED PADS
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Peel Pads
These pads break up surface cells to reveal fresh, healthy skin while allowing trapped oil to release and come to the surface.Use them at night, while you sleep.
Need more help?
Want to be coached on the right exfoliating product for you? Sign up here for a discovery call and we can see which program will be right for your current skincare routine.
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