How to Exfoliate Your Face

Last Updated on May 17, 2023 by Ellen Christian

Do you know how to exfoliate your face? When you exfoliate your face, you gently remove the surface layer of dead skin cells.  Find out more.

How to Exfoliate Your Face

Removing these dead skin cells leaves your face softer and smoother and gives it a gentle glow.  Learning how to exfoliate your face properly can mean the difference between a fresh face and red, irritated skin.

There are many different ways you can exfoliate your skin and a lot of different products to choose from including many natural beauty products. I try to find products with natural ingredients because they are gentler on my skin and on our earth. 

Best exfoliating products

There are many different products that you can use to exfoliate your face.  On the simple end, a natural combination of salt, baking powder, and coconut oil along with a soft washcloth will help you gently remove dead skin cells.

If you want to go a bit more high-tech, you can use a Clarisonic with special exfoliation pads for your face for almost the same result. Exfoliation products can be made at home, purchased at your local mass retailer, or ordered from a high-end beauty counter. A lot really depends on what you’re looking for and your budget.

• For women with normal to dry skin, exfoliating your face once or twice a week is normally enough. However, if you have oily skin, you may need to exfoliate more often than that.
• Exfoliating products generally contain seeds, nuts, salt, or sugar. It is the coarseness of these ingredients that helps remove the dead skin cells. There needs to be some friction without being so harsh that it damages your skin. The larger the grains, the rougher the exfoliation. If you have sensitive skin, look for very small grains.
• Never exfoliate your face if you have a sunburn or rash. You will only make it worse.
• Wet your face all over with warm water.
• Add a bit of your favorite exfoliating product into your favorite cleanser or mix it with aloe vera gel.
• I apply the exfoliator to my face with my fingers. If you prefer, you can use an exfoliating glove or washcloth. Apply in gentle circles.
• Be extra careful around your eyes and your mouth.  Never exfoliate your eyelids.
• Rinse your face with warm water and remove all traces of the exfoliating scrub.
• Apply a light moisturizer to your face.  Make sure that it has SPF if you plan on going out into the sun. New skin cells are more sensitive to the sun.

Exfoliating different skin types

Depending on your age and the condition of your skin, the exfoliating product you choose will vary. If you are prone to oily skin and acne, an exfoliating product that contains charcoal will help to remove oils and impurities from your skin.  

Look for an enzyme-based exfoliator if you have normal or combination skin. Bromelain is a natural enzyme from pineapples that is widely recommended for skin care.

Those with dry skin should really only be exfoliating once or twice a month. I would recommend a Clarisonic Mia in this case because it is easiest to control the amount of exfoliation when used properly.

A moisturizing cleanser along with the Mia is a great way to encourage new skin growth gently.

Exfoliation when you have sensitive skin can be tricky. The abrasion from the exfoliating product is often enough to irritate your sensitive skin.

To encourage new skin growth, you may only need to use a washcloth along with your favorite cleanser for sensitive skin. When trying a new skin care product, do a patch test to be certain you won’t have any type of allergic response to your beauty products.

If you have aging skin, exfoliation is extra important. New skin cell production slows down when you age and your skin can lose its healthy glow and elasticity.

If you exfoliate twice a week using a product that contains glycolic acid, you should be able to encourage new skin cell growth to help your skin look supple and smooth even as you age.

Now that you know how to exfoliate your face, you may want to learn to care for your feet at home or try my homemade night cream. What’s your favorite exfoliating product?

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