Exfoliation is a way to coax the unattractive dead cells to move on earlier than they would like
Skin, the largest organ of the body, is comprised of three layers. The tippity-top one, often called the skin barrier, is made up of multiple layers of dead cells. These cells do — eventually — move on. Yet, until they do, skin can look dull or flaky, gunk and grime can accumulate and cause breakouts, or skin can become bumpy and rough.
For many of us, exfoliation is a way to coax the unattractive dead cells to move on earlier than they would like, revealing brighter skin beneath them.
A word of caution: You mustn’t exfoliate daily. Too much, too often, can damage the skin barrier, and then skin will be really unhappy. There are many ways to exfoliate, and the frequency depends on what sort of product you use, its strength, and your skin type.
The first type of exfoliation is physical, such as a scrub that contains small particles that buff the skin, or a textured loofah to rub on the feet. Personally, I’ve moved away from physical scrubs for the face, as many (such as the apricot pit versions) actually damage the skin in the process.
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