How to Remove Dead Skin by Exfoliating Your Face

How What to Avoid Skin Type

Many people have dead skin problems and they have no idea how to remove dead skin. Skin cells renew themselves every couple weeks, primarily when the outer layer of skin, or epidermis, sheds dead cells and replaces them with new ones.

Dead skin cells drop off when you pull clothes on and off, or even through normal day-to-day activities. You may be unaware that this is happening, but it’s natural and healthy.

Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of skin. While some people might use an exfoliant to do this, you may find it easier to use a body scrub or take a bath with some activators. You’ll want to make sure that when you do this, you wash away any residue immediately and don’t irritate your skin.

Read also: How to remove oily skin naturally, How to remove pimples

How to Exfoliate Your Face 

How to remove dead skin? If someone wants to exfoliate their face, they should make sure they follow these steps:

• Consider using gentle facial exfoliation techniques that are specifically designed for the face.
• Be careful not to rub the delicate skin around your eyes and lips!
• As a general rule, make sure that your skin is clean before you exfoliate. This entails cleansing it thoroughly with a good cleanser.
• Exfoliate skin either manually or chemically.

Manual exfoliation 

Manual exfoliation is when you scrub your skin with a texture that removes the dead skin cells on the surface of your face.

Chemical exfoliation 

Chemical exfoliation works by using a mild acid to break down dead skin cells. Most products you buy for your face are safe for the majority of people.

Chemical exfoliants are not recommended for those with sensitive or dry skin, as they can cause inflammation or other unwanted side effects. Chemical exfoliation is a fantastic way to remove dead skin cells. However, you should use it gradually so that it doesn’t irritate your skin too much.

Chemical exfoliants should not be used more than once per week. A dermatologist is the best candidate to advise on usage and what product might be best for you.

The most common types of chemical exfoliants are:

• alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
• beta hydroxy acid (BHA)
• retinol

You might want to avoid using AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at the same time as they can be too harsh on your skin.

 

What to Avoid 

 

Don’t do this when exfoliating & follow these tips to prolong the effectiveness of exfoliation:

• There are certain combinations that may not be conducive for your skin, such as products containing benzoyl peroxide or retinol. If you’re exfoliating, make sure not to use these two in tandem or you could end up with skin irritation.
• Avoid buying products designed for other parts of the body as they are too harsh for soft skin on your face. Choose a product specifically designed for use on the face instead!
• A good rule of thumb is to never use exfoliants on skin that has been sunburnt, damaged, or if there are existing skin conditions. You can test an exfoliant on a small patch of skin to see how the product affects your body.
• It’s important to moisturize after exfoliating and to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. All forms of exfoliation increase your risk of sunburn.
• Before shaving or using some other hair removal methods, make sure to exfoliate. This will help prevent dead skin cells from sticking to unsightly clogs that may form during shaving.
• Wait until the day after an event to exfoliate. Exfoliating before could cause itchy skin or irritation for the next day

 

Skin Type 

Exfoliators help to perform a gentle and deep cleanse to regenerate the skin’s surface. Depending on your skin type, there are different types of exfoliation– such as chemical, natural or manual. To effectively choose the best product for your needs, it is crucial you understand what type of skin you have. 

The main skin types are:

• normal
• dry
• oily
• combination
• sensitive

If a person has dry skin, 1 hour after gently patting their face dry with water, they should press a tissue to their forehead, cheeks and chin in turn. If a person has oily skin, 1 hour after gently patting their face dry with water they should press the tissue to their nose in turn. By looking for traces of oil on the tissue, a person can work out their skin type, as follows:

• Normal skin: There is no oil on the tissue and no dryness.
• Dry skin: Skin looks tight or feels dry, no oil on the tissue.
• Oily skin: Oil on the tissue, and skin looks shiny.
• Combination skin: Cheeks are normal or dry; oil on the tissue from nose, forehead, or chin.
• Sensitive skin: Skin often feels itchy and dry.

Exfoliation can be a great way to answer how to remove dead skin cells from your face. This leaves you with smoother, softer skin and also helps makeup go on evenly if you wear it.

It can be overwhelming to decide which products and types of exfoliants to start with. Always make sure you test a product before using it day-to-day, and always follow up with moisturizer and sunscreen.

 

References

Remove Dead Skin from Face: The Best and Worst Ways to Do It (2022). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/remove-dead-skin-from-face 

Removing dead skin from the face: 6 ways and what to avoid (2022). Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327394