Beauty Basics: Tip #2- Exfoliate
Posted by
Blair Myers
Blair Myers
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Exfoliating is another of my key tips. When done correctly, it can make an absolute world of difference. However, I have to caution you: there is a right and a wrong way to do it. It is essential for you to be gentle with your skin and remember not to scrub abrasively. Abrasive scrubbing can take off your healthy skin while mild exfoliation takes off only the dead skin (which is what we want). One reason why I love exfoliating so much is because it promotes skin cell turnover.
Skin cell turnover is important because when your skin cells are renewed, that will give your skin a more youthful glow. As with all of my tips, consistency is key here. I use a variety of acids to exfoliate from daily to weekly and monthly treatements. Research proves that combining Vitamin A (and/or C) with Glycolic Acid (Vivite, now replaced by a new line from SkinMedica which are both produced by Allergan) causes fibroblasts in the skin to produce new collagen and elastin fibers leading to firmer, more youthful skin. My favorite brands are Afirm X (Vitamin A) and Cellex C (Vitamin C). I also like to apply Salicylic Acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which is best for acne (so I use it on my T zone forehead and nose only) and lactic acid. Whenever I exfoliate or peel I make sure to moisturize with it or after it. Moisture is imperative which is why it's #1 on the list!
