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How much exfoliation is too much?
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I have read many things online about exfoliation. I know it is important, but how often should you exfoliate? Some products say they are "gentle enough for every day," but is that true? Do you need to give your skin a break? I have combination skin & some tendency for small break outs. I would to know how often I should exfoliate. I want to do it enough to do the job, but not so much to damage my skin. Any suggestions?
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I find exfoliators with granules are just too rough on my skin so I use an alternative.
I had a woman dermatologist recommend Olay or Dove daily facial cloths for exfoliating. (They're sold in little tubs of 30; you just wet them down with water and then scrub as hard or as light as you like. No granules, though. They're textured rough on one side and less so on the other side.) She told me that's what she used herself and said they were perfect for every day use. I love them but I use them every other day. My foundation looks so much better and I think anti-aging ingredients have a better chance of sinking in to where they need to go.
I noticed that the Olay Regenerist line now has wet exfoliating cloths with anti-aging ingredients in them to use daily, much like the cloths I use. They're more expensive, though, and I can't help but wonder if they're not a waste of money. The Brains have talked about how facial cleansers with Salicylic Acid aren't particularly effective because you end up splashing the helpful ingredient off as you rinse. I think the same reasoning would make sense for why these wouldn't be a good choice...but I'd like to hear from them, of course! -
'exfoliation' means removing dead skin cells, dirt and skin oils from the skin, right? i'd imagine too much exfoliation would mean removing living cells and causing bleeding and infection ..
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I exfoliate 2 or 3 times a week with a sugar scrub. Everyt time I find one that I like, it gets discontinued so I'm going to try making it myself when I use up what I've got. Has anyone ever done this? It looks simple enough. I think if I play around with the formulas that are on the internet, I can come up with something that I like.
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A great way to make your own gentle scrub is to use a little bit of your regular cleanser, or just use Cetaphl, and mix it with baking soda. I use that once or twice a week, in addition to using a beta-hydroxy acid (saclicylic acid) lotion daily. That for me is plenty, and if I do anything more than that, I get flaky and pink. I used to use Neutrogena's daily scrub, which says "gentle enough for every day", but that was definitely not true for me. What I've found is that my skin looks so much nicer since I stopped using a daily scrub and started using the BHA lotion. I've also used Olay cleansing cloths, and I really like those for removing make-up. I don't feel like they exfoliate that much, but they definitely feel like they get all traces of my make-up off.
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Sariel, exfoliation does refer to removing dead skin cells, but unless you are using something like sandpaper or lots of doses of alpha hydroxy acids, you really can't overdo it like you've suggested. We don't recommend exfoliating more than once or twice a week but some people can do it everyday.
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If I'm exfoliating though, aren't I "using up" my skin's layers?? I worry that constant turnover could lead to aging faster...but maybe it's all in my head.
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kpaige- as long as you're not scrubbing yourself raw, the only skin cells that will be coming off are the ones that are already dead. Your face won't miss them- so no worries :wink: it shouldn't speed up aging.
That said, be careful with the delicate skin around your eyes. Because that area has less collagen and thinner skin, the tugging that comes along with facial beauty regimens can have adverse effects in the long run. -
Thanks anonymous - I know my concern sounds somewhat silly, but I just can't help but wonder these things sometimes... ; )
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I've used the Cetaphil/baking soda combo that ozinn suggested a couple of times now and it works really well. If they can just not discontinue Cetaphil and baking soda, I'm all set.
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Because I have Rosacea I have to be super careful about exfoliation and cannot use anything with granules.
I have used and liked Zia brand masks which are gentle. I have used both the Papaya and the Pumpkin varieties with good results. -
I usually make my own sugar or salt scrubs. Really easy and cheap to do. I use a cup of sugar or salt, and a cup to a cup and a half of either sweet almond, olive, or jojoba oil (depends on what I have, and how loose a scrub I want). I usually don't scent mine, but if you choose to do so, add a few drops of your essential oil/scent last (and only if it doesn't irritate your skin, patch test and what not).
Gonna have to get some baking soda and try that tip. -
Have you ever used honey? I have a honey and sugar scrub that I love. So naturally, it's been discontinued. I've been wondering if I could make something comparable myself.
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I've never added honey to my scrubs, i can't keep it in the house long enough as just a food product. It would do well though.
Here are a couple links to recipes to get you thinking:
Spaindex
(Honey & Lemon sugar scrub. I might try that one myself.) -
You'll know when to exfoliate, when your foundation looks rough.
Every one is different!
Too much manipulation on the skin's surface could make it unhappy. You can try a mask without any granules in it. Or try a scrub cleanser, be carefull not too much rubbing!
I like to wash my face twice, once with a deep cleansing soap like DOVE. Then with my cosmetics cleanser, they tend to be gentler to the skin. I likt to think that the facial cleanser has a lower PH. -
I know I need exfoliation when my foundation sponge stops gliding across my skin. Then I exfoliate and it glides smoothly.
If only it would shrink my PORES!
I can't wait to review the microderm kit, it claims to minimize pores. -
anonymousblonde: Minimizing the size of pores would be something I'd like to know about, as well, so I'm interested in what you'll have to say about it. Paula Begoun claims there is no product that can do that. I plan to ask my dermatologist about it, too.
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Hey everyone!
Just some info:
One reason we get wrinkles is because the skin SLOWS down on the natural shedding. While younger, it happens more often. As we age, it slows down. That is why we need to use stronger exfoliants. (in my salon I use very strong exfolinants that will help this happen better than any OTC product)
As for miniminzing pores---that will never happen. The pores will always remain the same size. There is not a product on the market today that will shrink them.
However, there are products that will make the pores APPEAR smaller. What they are are actually fillers. Most of the products that claim to reduce the pore size are just products that you apply before your foundation. They fill the pores, thus making it seem that pores are smaller or gone.
Think of this: if there really was something that made the pores smaller, there would be such a rush on this product that any company that REALLY could do this would not be able to handle the amount needed to keep us pore challenged happy!
(the same thing about nail products that claim to make your nails grow longer and stronger. There would be no artificial enhancements if there really was a product that could do this)
Read the BUZZ words and fine print on those products!
Buenos dias,
Lynnette -
I remember, growing up, my mother and various other adults would claim cold water would shrink the pores on your face (at least temporarily). I have no idea how true it is or not, though--I've never noticed a difference.
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Karen- one treatment in to the microdermabrasion kit and my pores are the same size. The skin looks better though!
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akurah - my mom (the same mom who told me to use salt scrub every single day) told me that too. But I read elsewhere (sorry, I read too many beauty blogs that I forget where I read info) that it could cause inflammation, making your face red and blotchy.
My goal is to just keep my pores clean and free of black heads. =D
I like to use some sort of mask first, then a Biore nose strip, followed by a quick exfoliation with granule-containing stuff only on my nose. It works pretty darn well. =D -
I swear by pro active that whole line is great I ordered it when i had seen my sisters face and i don't even break out. my skin is sooooo lovely fresh and pretty try the 30 day kit for 19.95 you won't be disappointed. oh money back too if ya don't like it.
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My friend had a horrible skin reaction to ProActive. Her face looked like a burn victim and it gave her cystic acne.
She still had damage and it's been a year.
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ProActive was horrible for me. The first time I used it, I got this weird red bubble thing in between my eyebrows. I went to the doctor and she said she wasn't sure what it was and told me to wait it out. It took a couple of weeks and left a reddish scar. When I first noticed it, I stopped the ProActive. A month or so later, I figured I'd give it another try because I really had no idea what had caused the bubble thing and after a couple of days I started getting another one. So no ProActive for me, but I hear it works wonders for others.
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ProActive is a no go for me too. I tried it and my super dry cheeks were bright red...even though I only used it 2-3 times a week. I ended up giving it all to my friend who uses it and has never had a problem with it...
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Interesting thread now.
I have heard from every single person who has used ProActive that it worked for a short time and then BOOM, they broke out again.
I would question whether or not that this product actually gave someone cystic acne. The acne comes from below. Many who have it started out with just acne. Cystic acne is severe and not caused by anything. Not by foods or topicals.
The best treatment for cystic acne is Accutane.
Do you really think that those celebrities who push the ProActive REALLY had acne? How many women actresses/models do you see that have scarring or acne itself? One guy who comes to mind is Tommy Lee Jones. Anyone else?
buenos dias,
Lynnette -
I read or heard somewhere that even though Jessica Simpson is humping ProActive, she used Accutane to clear up her acne.
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I read about a product called Slee[p and Peel by Filorga and it looks great.gives your skin an exfoliation while you sleep but the email didn't work
www.filorga.com -
I use Apricot Scrub 6 Mornings a week (on the 7th I use a Mask). It works for me. But I only use it in the mornings, at night I use a gel cleanser.
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