Put The Glow Back In Your Skin

Has your skin been dull, flaky or uneven lately? It could be related to environmental changes, allergies, sun damage, even stress — or it could just be because you're aging. (Don't worry, it happens to everyone.) Fortunately, there is something you can do about it: exfoliate!

"We lose that 'youthful glow' as we age because our natural cell-turnover process slows down. This causes dulling dead skin cells to cling to our skin's surface longer," says Annet King, Director of Global Education for Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute. "Exfoliation helps coax our inner glow back to the surface by removing all that dry, dull debris and revealing the softer, smoother skin underneath."

Exfoliating also helps targeted treatments and moisturizers better penetrate the skin; reduces breakout-causing congestion; helps smooth rough, callused areas; and helps prevent ingrown hairs.

"It really is one of the best steps you can take for your skin," says King.

choosing the right exfoliant

There are many forms of exfoliants, but the most common categories are at-home and professional.

At-home exfoliants (think scrubs, pads and brushes) tend to be relatively mild, inexpensive, quick and easy to use. Most of them, such as Daily Microfoliant® and MultiVitamin Thermafoliant™, rely on small particles to physically lift dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Leave-on treatments, such as Daily Resurfacer, tend to smooth skin with hydroxy acids and enzymes, which dissolve and digest dead skin cells.