It's no secret that exfoliation is good for your skin. In fact, it's one of the most essential steps in any skincare routine. But how long should you be exfoliating and is there a specific time frame that's better than others? Keep reading below to find out! We will go over a few of the important details that can be the difference in helping you achieve that glowy healthy look we all know.
What is skin exfoliation?
Skin exfoliation is the process of removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis. This can be done manually with a natural body scrub or exfoliating cloth, or it can be done chemically with an acid or enzyme peel.
We opt to go with a natural method, including organic abrasive ingredients that are mixed with hydrating and nourishing ones. In our case, we mix organic oils like jojoba oil, arabica seed oil and olive oil to help add that much-needed moisture into the skin after its outer layer has been peeled off. Check out our Coffee Body Scrub for some more info.
Why is exfoliation important?
Exfoliation is important because it helps remove the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. These dead cells can clog pores and make skin look dull and dry. Exfoliation also helps to remove the outer barrier that can trap dirt and oil and lead to acne breakouts (uh oh).
Some immediate benefits of exfoliating your skin with something like a coffee scrub would be that "instant" feeling of buffing dead skin away. You may not be able to see it or even notice it while you are in the process of exfoliating your skin, but you better believe you will FEEL it after you're done!
What are skin exfoliation benefits?
Scrubbing for a short time has a lot of benefits. Like instantly softer skin. But scrubbing for a long time is even better ;) Some long-term benefits of exfoliating your skin regularly would be that it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as age spots. Using a natural body scrub can also help to improve circulation and increase the absorption of skincare products afterward. Exfoliation can also help to unclog pores and remove blackheads and blemishes (in case there wasn't enough benefits already).
The best way to find out how often you should exfoliate your skin is to experiment with different frequencies until you find what works best for you. Some people may only need to exfoliate their skin once a week, while others may need to exfoliate daily. The main important factor is CONSISTENCY. We've said it before, but we have to drive this one home. You gotta' be doing this regularly for a long period of time to really start reaping the benefits.
How long should you exfoliate for?
There is no set time frame for how long you should exfoliate your skin. Some people may only need to exfoliate for a few minutes, while others may need to exfoliate for up to 30 minutes (which would be wild). The best way to find out how long you should exfoliate for is to experiment with different durations until you find what works best for you. We recommend a few minutes all over the body. That is usually a sufficient amount!
So! When is the best time to exfoliate?
There is no one definitive answer to this question as everyone's skin is different. However, a good rule of thumb is to exfoliate a few times a week. Most experts recommend exfoliating your skin 2-3 times a week. However, you may need to exfoliate more often if you have oily or acne-prone skin, or less often if you have dry or sensitive skin. Exfoliating more often than that (2-3) can be too abrasive and may cause skin irritation. Exfoliating less often than that may not provide enough of an exfoliation benefit. It's a balancing game for real!
Another thing to keep in mind is that the best time to exfoliate may vary depending on the season. In the winter, when the air is dry, exfoliating more often may help to prevent skin from becoming dry and irritated. In the summer, when the air is more humid, exfoliating less often may be better so as not to over-dry the skin.
Okay, we get that 2-3 times is that sweet spot, but what about some more specifics? When, during those days would it be best to exfoliate? Does the time of day matter at all? And to that, we say, no not really, although we 100% recommend doing it in the shower. So when it comes to your skin exfoliation routine, you may as well save yourself the mess and do it whenever you take your showers! Morning, day time, or at night, it all works just fine! Stay consistent with it. The longer you can scrub up, the more your skin will thank you overtime. There is just nothing that can beat the soft, smooth and supple feel after exfoliating.
Final thoughts
Exfoliation is one of the most essential steps in any skincare routine. exfoliating 2-3 times a week will help remove dead skin cells, remove the outer barrier that can clog your pores, and make skin look softer and healthier. Staying consistent with exfoliating in your skin care routine will help keep skin stronger and healthier! Try to make it a staple in your self-care routine. And the best part is that it only takes a few minutes to do!