Exfoliation: Here's 5 Reasons It Should Be a VIP Step in Your SkincareHonestly Jamie

woman holding exfoliation product

I think exfoliation often gets a bad rep in the skincare world and, believe me, I used to be afraid of it myself. As someone with rosacea and dry/sensitive skin, there’s nothing scarier than scrubbing your face only to see a redder and drier face than you started with. NOPE. The truth of the matter is, when old skin starts to build up on the surface of your face, you’ll end up with dull, rough skin that (gasp) will also probably make you look older than you are. Furthermore, the buildup can also cause acne…again, NOPE. So, even if you’re sensitive like me you should 100% be using a gentle chemical exfoliator (not necessarily a scrub) like AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid)- I use mine at night before bed.

That said, here are 5 reasons you should be exfoliating your face, no matter your skin type.

Exfoliation: Here’s 5 Reasons It Should Be a VIP Step in Your Skincare Regimen

1. Improve the texture of your skin

Like I mentioned above, you need to clear off all the dead skin buildup (how gross does that sound) in order to get that clear, smooth baby skin. Additionally, it also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles! For me, I’ve been a big fan of Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion for a while now as my go-to for whenever my skin is feeling rough since it does a great job at exfoliating, but it’s completely non-abrasive. I especially love using it at night since it’s surprisingly super moisturizing and also helps get rid of wrinkles.

2. Clear breakouts and acne

Since acne-prone skin sheds more than other skin types, it’s extra important to exfoliate away that dead skin – I mean, you can’t have that skin clogging your pores even worse.

3. Reduce the appearance of pores

When pores get clogged they always appear bigger than they actually are; exfoliating your skin will help decongest your skin and, in turn, your pores will shrink in size.

4. Lighten age spots and hyperpigmentation

Ask any skincare expert the easiest way to lighten dark spots and they’ll say exfoliation. The more you freshen up the surface of your skin (using ingredients like retinol and AHA), the faster you will get rid of those dark marks.

5. Better working skincare products

Other beauty products like eye creams, serums and moisturizers work better if they can get into skin that’s not blocked by layers and layers of dirt and dead cells – fact. In fact, smoother skin will also help your makeup and sunscreen go on smoother as well! Better working skincare has actually been a game-changer for me, personally. I started using a complete regimen from Paula’s Choice and found that simply using the BHA Lotion really made a difference in the way my skin absorbed some of my other faves from the brand. In no particular order, here are my other Paula’s Choice winners:

Resist Hydrating Cleanser: This cleanser is silky smooth (great for sensitive skin) and cleanses with out drying my skin out!

The Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner: Loaded with omega fatty acids and antioxidants, I love using this toner as a “refresher” in the A.M. to really wake my skin up!

Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: This serum is feather-light and is amazing at hydrating my skin when it’s feeling a little dry in the morning or mid-day. It also has an antioxidant complex that visibly brightens and refines the skin.

Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer SPF 30: I always love a good moisturizer that has SPF built in. Even better, this version is mineral based, making it absolute perfection for anyone with sensitive skin or other skin issues. Of course, I’m also happy it helps reduce redness!

Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer: This one is great for nighttime (since it doesn’t have SPF). Nourishing plant oils and antioxidants will soothe your face and it also helps to visibly plump up your face a bit.

So, have I sold you on exfoliation yet?