If you’re looking for baby-soft, clear skin, then exfoliators should be a key part of your regular routine. You can remove dead skin cells through chemical (acid) exfoliators, physical exfoliators, and enzymes — all of which help your skin look brighter and healthier. ‘Exfoliation not only provides that instant glow we all crave, but it helps your other skincare products work more efficiently and effectively when there isn’t any dirt and buildup in the way,’ explains Sunday Riley, CEO, founder and product formulator.
It’s clear that exfoliating has its perks, but the process can easily go awry, especially if you’re new to the world of exfoliants. Below, our experts walk us through the most common exfoliating mistakes — and how to fix them.
Meet the Experts
Sunday Riley , CEO, founder and product formulator
Dr. Rebecca Marcus , board-certified dermatologist
You’re not cleansing before exfoliating.
Some face exfoliators also act like cleansers so you can multitask. But, if your exfoliator isn’t meant to also be used as a face wash, it’s important to take the extra step of cleansing your face before you exfoliate so you can start with a clean slate. Cleansing will remove that surface-level dirt, grime, and makeup while exfoliating products are meant to work a little harder at cleaning away dead skin cells and debris that’s sitting deeper in your skin.
‘The trio of Ceramic Slip, Pink Drink, and Good Genes offers a comprehensive skincare routine with remarkable benefits. Ceramic Slip is a gentle yet effective cleanser that purifies the skin, removing dirt and impurities while balancing moisture levels. Over-cleansing can strip the skin of its natural oils (the nice squeaky feeling that people like), leading to dehydration and compromising the skin’s barrier function. It causes these little micro-fractures in the skin, which causes inflammation. It’s a big problem. It will lead to aging, tightness, and wrinkles over time. A gentle cleanser like Ceramic Slip is essential because it effectively cleanses without over-drying or irritating the skin. This cleanser uses ingredients like French green clay and plant-based soaps to pull out impurities while hydrating the skin, making it suitable for all skin types. It pulls enough oil and enough toxins, but it’s not going to pull too much, so it won’t leave your skin too dry. You can boost its intensity if you mix in two pumps of Ceramic Slip and one pump of Good Genes. That’s deep clean the skin to another level,’ explains Riley.
Follow up with Pink Drink, a peptide-infused essence that helps to firm and resurface the skin, providing a hydrating boost and preparing it for the next steps in your routine. Finally, Good Genes, a potent lactic acid treatment, exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion. Together, this trio works synergistically to cleanse, hydrate, and renew your skin, leaving it looking healthy and rejuvenated,’ adds Sunday.
You’re too rough when using a physical exfoliator.
Some people may think that the classic “squeaky clean” feeling you may get after a physical exfoliator means that it’s working, but it’s actually the result of stripping off too much of your natural oils. “Scrubbing too hard will cause micro-tears in the skin and can leave it red and raw. It can also stimulate the skin to produce more oil and keratin to protect/repair itself from harsh scrubbing,” says Marcus. The solution? Switch from physical exfoliators to chemical ones. ‘It can significantly benefit your skin. Physical exfoliants, often containing rough particles, can cause micro-tears and irritation, especially for sensitive skin types. In contrast, chemical exfoliants use gentle acids like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) to dissolve dead skin cells without abrasive friction. It promotes a more even skin texture, reduces the risk of over-exfoliation, and helps unclog pores more effectively. Chemical exfoliants can also enhance cell turnover, leading to a brighter complexion and improved skin tone. Making the switch can result in healthier, smoother, and more radiant skin,’ advises Riley.
If you’re using an exfoliating brush, remember not to apply too much pressure (pressing harder doesn’t mean a deeper cleanse!). If you’re looking for more intense exfoliation, gently massage for a longer amount of time — not with more force.
You’re not using the right products.
Many physical exfoliants can be too harsh for the skin, causing irritation and micro-tears, especially those with jagged particles like apricot scrubs. ‘A gentler alternative is the Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm. This exfoliant uses sugar particles that gently buff away dead skin cells and then morph into an oil, providing a smooth and nourishing finish. For optimal results, apply Blue Moon on dry skin with dry hands, allowing the sugar to exfoliate effectively. Additionally, it’s a fantastic hack for prepping dry lips, removing flaky skin for a smooth base before applying lipstick,’ explains Sunday Riley.
You’re not exfoliating every day.
“There is a sweet spot when it comes to exfoliation, and a lot of it depends on your specific skin type and degree of sensitivity. Oily skin types, for example, may need to be exfoliated more frequently as sebum is produced in greater amounts. But it’s important not to overexfoliate and risk disrupting the skin barrier to the point that it’s unable to perform its function of keeping irritants and infectious agents out and keeping moisture and hydration in,” says Marcus. If you’re not exfoliating enough, you may experience dryness, dullness, or acne from clogged pores. Using an AHA like lactic or glycolic acid every day is crucial for maintaining a smooth, radiant complexion. AHAs work by gently exfoliating the skin, removing dead cells, and promoting cell turnover, which helps to prevent breakouts and improves overall skin texture and tone.
How often you exfoliate also depends on what type of exfoliating ingredients you use: “Chemical exfoliants work by loosening connections between cells. If you’re using a super-gentle chemical exfoliating ingredient like purified vegan lactic acid in Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment, it can be used daily, even twice a day. It was formulated for the most sensitive skin,’ explains Riley. Additionally, Good Genes has the ability to kill P. acnes bacteria, which is responsible for acne breakouts. This dual action not only helps to clear and prevent acne but also improves skin texture and radiance. By incorporating Good Genes into your skincare regimen, you can achieve a clearer, more refined complexion with reduced breakouts and a healthy glow. It is formulated to be potent yet gentle, providing effective exfoliation without compromising skin health. By choosing a well-balanced AHA like Good Genes, you can achieve a clear, smooth, radiant complexion without over-exfoliation.
You’re not moisturizing afterward.
It’s important to replenish your skin after sloughing off buildup. “After exfoliating, skin needs extra nourishment to restore the skin barrier and prevent over-drying. So, it’s ideal to follow exfoliation with your usual skincare and, at the very least, a moisturizer,” says Marcus. Plus, now that your skin is de-clogged of dead skin cells, your moisturizer (and the rest of your skincare routine) will have an easier time penetrating each level of your skin so it can perform its best.
AM Routine
HOW TO USE
- Cleanse with CERAMIC SLIP.
- After patting your skin dry, mist PINK DRINK onto your face, massage into your skin, and let dry.
- Follow with 1-2 pumps of GOOD GENES to the face and neck.
- Next, apply 2-3 drops of C.E.O. GLOW to your face and neck, followed by 1-2 pumps of C.E.O. SERUM (or mix them together and apply as a skin cocktail).
- Apply C.E.O. AFTERGLOW to face, neck, and décolleté.
- Pat 1-2 pumps of AUTO CORRECT around the eye area, starting under the eye and continuing to the outer corners (in the crow’s feet area). Then apply under the brow bone, for a lifting effect.
PM Routine
HOW TO USE
- After patting your skin dry, mist PINK DRINK onto your face, massage into your skin, and let dry.
- Follow with 1-2 pumps of GOOD GENES to the face and neck.
- Next, apply 1-2 pumps of A+ SERUM to your face and neck, followed by 3-4 drops of LUNA (or mix them together and apply as a skin cocktail).
- Using your ring and middle fingers, lightly tap a pearl-sized amount of 5 STARS onto the eye area and massage outwards around the outer crow’s feet, under the eye, and between brow bone and eyebrow.
- Before bed, massage in ICE onto the face, neck, and décolleté to lock in moisture.
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