There are a lot of great benefits of exfoliating and it’s very important to exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. It removes dead cells and leaves you with softer, younger, healthier skin. But, when you exfoliate your skin you should make sure you don’t overdo it and don’t do it too often. Many women don’t know how to exfoliate their skin and how often to do it, and this is the major reason why many of us end up having severe breakouts. In fact, it’s recommended to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Here are a few tips to follow to exfoliate your skin without any damage.

1. Buy the right exfoliating product

There are tons of exfoliating products available on the market these days and it’s extremely difficult to choose the best one. You need to buy one exfoliating product specially made for your body and another for your face. A drugstore is probably the best place to look for exfoliating products, but you can also buy them from your dermatologist.

2. Apply exfoliator to wet skin

Before applying your exfoliating product, get your skin wet. This will allow all the ingredients to suds up for a while and will help make your face and body super soft. I like to exfoliate my skin in the shower since it’s easier to wash off when I’m done.

3. Apply your exfoliating product in circular motions

Start applying your exfoliator in small circular motions to ensure that you do not miss any spot. This way, it will feel like a mini massage, which incredibly beneficial for your face and body. Begin with your face and work your way down your body, taking care to get every nook and cranny, including the backs of the knees and the insides of the elbows. On larger body parts you can widen your circles and use smaller ones on areas such as the soles of your feet and your face.

4. Pay attention to the areas you exfoliate

When exfoliating, make sure you are very gentle on sensitive areas of the skin, such as the bikini area, neck and face. These areas have thinner skin, so it’s essential to use gentle motions. Apply more pressure on your knees, elbows and feet where the skin is naturally thicker.

5. Use a loofah

In case you have a tough skin, try using a loofah with your exfoliator for the best results. Although a loofah looks similar to a sponge, it has a rough texture that doesn’t soften when it’s wet. You can buy a loofah at most drugstores. Look for them where bubble bath and body soap are sold.

6. Wash off

When you are done, rinse the exfoliator off. Don’t leave it on your skin too long, or you will end up having dry, itchy skin and no lotion will help you to cope with such problem. I recommend you to exfoliate your skin in the shower or bath. Quickly wash it off with lukewarm water and a blast of cold water to close your pores.

7. Apply your lotion

After your exfoliating treatment, apply a great dousing of your lotion to your skin. Apply a facial cream to your neck, face and hands and use a body cream on your arms, torso and legs. Make sure you apply your lotion right after washing the exfoliator off. This way, you will seal in the moisture and keep your skin hydrated, soft, radiant and healthy.

Do you exfoliate your skin regularly? How often do you do it? Personally I exfoliate my skin once a week and I use a one to one mixture of olive oil and sugar to do it. It’s my favorite way of exfoliating.

BDST: 1449 HRS, MAY-13, 2014