Exfoliating might seem like a "skippable" step in skincare, however, it's just as important as cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
ICYDK, your skin regularly sheds off dead skin cells to make room for newer ones. This process, unfortunately, slows down as you grow older. As a result, your skin is prone to accumulating dead skin cells, making it appear dull and sometimes feel rough to the touch. This is where exfoliation comes in!
Essentially, sloughing off dead skin cells will help you achieve a smoother and brighter complexion. However, there's no one way to exfoliate parts of your body. Some areas like your kilikili require a gentler exfoliation process than others.
To guide you, here are the proper ways you can exfoliate the different areas of your body:
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Face
Avoid using abrasive scrubs—or at least save them for the other parts of your body with thicker skin. While they can effectively buff away dead skin, face scrubs that contain microbeads tend to be too aggressive for the face. Chemical exfoliants are known to be a gentler option, as they don't require harsh scrubbing.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓These days, you can find many chemical exfoliants in the market in the form of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHAs). These types of acids work to loosen up dead skin cells to reveal a smoother complexion.
AHAs dissolve the topmost layer of the skin, so it's perfect for improving one's overall skin texture. BHAs, on the other hand, "can get deeper into the pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum," says Healthline.
You can slowly introduce these chemical exfoliants into your skincare routine with these toners below:
For oily skin: When your skin is over-producing oil, it's crucial to regularly unclog your pores to keep acne, blackheads, and whiteheads from forming. Try this exfoliating toner that contains a powerful combination of skin-refining AHA and pore-purging BHA. Don't worry; it's still gentle enough to be used on a daily basis.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch nowCOSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, P680, Lazada
For dry skin: These pre-soaked pads are alcohol-free so they won't further dry out your skin. They're formulated with glycolic acid and lactic acid to refine the skin texture. To use it, swipe the pad all over your face and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off. You can use this at least twice a week!
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, P804, Sephora
For sensitive skin: For gentle exfoliation, you can add this toner to your P.M. skincare routine, which is formulated with mandelic acid, the gentlest type of AHA. This exfoliating ingredient penetrates the skin at a slow pace, so it's unlikely to cause irritation. Expect to see brighter skin!
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Prep Water, 1,250, Go Bloom and Glow
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Lips
Exfoliating the lips is so easy to do yet it's often skipped. You can always rely on a good 'ol lip scrub to get the job done or you can create your own lip scrub concoction by combining one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of sugar.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Human Nature Natural Lip Scrub, P195, Humanheartnature -
Knees and elbows
Skip the loofah. As dermatologists like Dr. Vicki Belo has recently brought to light, loofahs can sometimes be too abrasive which can "hurt your skin," adding that scrubbing can further darken the area. Instead, use a soap containing fruit acids or AHAs to exfoliate your knees and elbows.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Belo Intensive Whitening Bar Kojic Tranexamic Acid, P69, Watsons
SOME BY MI Miracle Bar Soap, P790, Lazada -
Underarms
If you're dealing with bumps and ingrown hair in your underarms, take it as a clear sign that your kilikili needs to be exfoliated. Underarm pores can get clogged up due to excess sweat and residue from deodorants. Dermatologist Anna Palabyab-Rufino recommended that you should exfoliate your underarms at least once a week, but "don't do it on the same day you shave so as not to irritate it further."
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓According to the expert, you can use a "washcloth or a mild scrub to lightly scrub [your armpits] in one direction, [but] never scrub too vigorously because it may cause irritation and darkening."
Another option is to repurpose a glycolic acid-based face toner and use it to exfoliate your kilikili. This way, you won't have to scrub your underarms. Simply give your armpits a quick sweep at night before heading to bed!
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Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, P1,340, Sephora
