Along with cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing plenty of SPF, regular exfoliation is one of the best ways to score smoother, glowier skin. But if you’ve never done it before, you may find yourself wondering “What is exfoliation, anyway?” In simple terms, exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the outer surface of your skin. Done properly, it can help promote a more even-looking complexion and help improve the appearance of dull skin. But like most things in skincare, exfoliation is not one size fits all. To create a routine that works best for your skin type and needs, it’s important to understand the different exfoliating methods and their benefits. Here, we’ll explain what exfoliating is, share details on the different types of exfoliation, and reveal how to exfoliate correctly for smoother, brighter-looking skin. You’ll also discover a few of our favorite exfoliating products to incorporate into your routine. Read on for all of the must-know details. What Is Exfoliating? The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) defines exfoliation as the process of removing dead surface skin cells and debris from the outermost layer of skin. There are two ways to do this: manually (with a physical scrub or a tool) or chemically (with acids or enzymes). How you exfoliate your skin depends on a variety of factors, including your skin type, sensitivity, and tolerance. If you’re not sure where to start, it’s always a good idea to consult with a board-certified dermatologist. Manual exfoliation Manual exfoliation—sometimes referred to as physical or mechanical exfoliation—involves using a gritty substance or an abrasive tool to manually remove dead skin cells (hence the name). Lightly rubbing your face with a damp washcloth can be considered a gentle form of manual exfoliation. Other tools used to exfoliate manually include cleansing brushes, dry brushes, dermaplaning razors, and, of course, scrubs. Most of the time, when people talk about physical exfoliation, they are referring to scrubs. These products contain tiny particles—often fine salt, sugar, or crushed seed powders—to help slough off dead skin and other debris. Some help cleanse the skin as they exfoliate and can be used daily; others are designed to be used more sparingly, generally around once or twice per week. For gentle exfoliation, try an exfoliating cleanser, like the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser. The mild formula contains perlite—a mineral derived from volcanic ash—and helps exfoliate the skin to promote a brighter, more radiant complexion. It’s suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to use morning and night. If you don’t want to part ways with your go-to cleanser, you can add a scrub into your routine every few days. We love the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, which helps hydrate the skin as it removes dead surface cells, as well as the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing Powder Cleanser, which is particularly well-suited for those with oily, blemish-prone skin.
