EXFOLIATION 101

Exfoliation is key y'all!  And it's good for all skintypes though you sometimes have to proceed with caution - there are two kinds and we'll talk about what their purpose is and who they're good for but first off let's quickly discuss what it does for both ends of the spectrum:

• OILY SKIN TYPES: exfoliating unclogs pores and can assist in ridding skin of excess sebum (oiliness)
• DRY SKIN TYPES: don't be scared!  if you are pouring moisturizer on top of dry skin and never exfoliating you're doing your skin a disservice - you have to get rid of dead skin in order for your moisturizer to have access to the baby skin underneath and do its job
• COMBINATION SKIN - you can generally do anything :)

Physical, or manual, exfoliants are what we think of as your typical "scrub".  It has little scrubbies in there that physically/manually exfoliate your skin - makes sense, no?  

WHO'S IT RIGHT FOR? 

Almost anyone with the exception of breakout-prone skin who should avoid them as the physical scrubbies can break open a blemish and spread bacteria - no fun.  Otherwise these are great for everyone else.  

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO IT? 

2-3 times/week is ideal.  Try putting it in your shower so you'll use it and it'll be easy to rinse off under the shower as the little scrubbers always manage to hide under your chin/in your hairline.

HOW HARD SHOULD I SCRUB? 

Not very.  The challenge with this is most people go at their face like they're sandpapering a piece of wood.  Instead, do more gentle circles on your face - like you're doing it to a rose petal and don't want to rip it.  You can apply a little more pressure than that but don't sandblast your face please.  Leave that to the professionals.  

WHAT DO YOU HAVE? 

Our Antioxidant Facial Polish is super gentle and uses

• HIBISCUS FIBERS, OLIVE & BAMBOO POWDERS (physical exfoliators)
• CRANBERRY, BAYBERRY & GRAPE (enzyme exfoliators) 
• ORGANIC ALOE (soothing base)

to get your skin super soft but won't irritate.  

 Alright, generally you hear the word chemical and think "nope!  I'm out!" but stick with me here - in terms of exfoliants, chemical ones dissolve instead of scrub.  

HOW?

With enzymes and/or acids which all fall under the AHA - Alpha Hydroxy Acid - umbrella (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, etc).

IS IT GOING TO BURN MY FACE OFF?

Hopefully not!  But you need to be careful if you're sensitive and stick with a lower percentage of acids.  Doing a patch test is useful - tingling is okay, burning is not.

WHO'S IT RIGHT FOR?

Everybody!  Except super duper sensitive people.  This is where I steer breakout prone folks because it dissolves oil and will get rid of dry skin that can happen when using drying anti-acne creams but won't open anything up.  For dry folks it's magical at sweeping away dry, dead skin.  For everyone it vacuums out your pores and lifts that oxidized oil that makes blackheads appear black up and away.  

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO IT?

1 maybe 2 times/week - this is more power packed than a traditional scrub so you don't need to do it as often and really shouldn't.  

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

Our Pumpkin Enzyme Peel is one of my faves as in the winter it gets rid of dry, textured skin and in the summer it eats up excess oil.  It does it with

• 3% GLYCOLIC ACID (retexurizes skin - dissolves dry skin as well as impacted pores)
• MEADOWFOAM SEED OIL (nourishes skin so you don't feel stripped)
• ORGANIC LEMON, BLUEBERRY & CRANBERRY (brighteners)
• CINNAMON, GINGER & NUTMEG (soothes)

and gives you baby-booty-smooth skin.  

Let us know if you have any questions! xo