Ever wondered about your Epidermis?
Of course, you have. Okay, maybe not. Even so, it’s there working tirelessly for you every day. Constantly renewing YOU into a better version of yourself. Well, a better version of your skin.
Your Epidermis, the outermost layer of you. Consisting of 6 wafer-thin layers, you can see it, feel it and it completely renews itself every 28 days or so, but as we all get older, that rate of renewal slows down to about 45 days or longer. With this in mind, it does make sense to keep things turning over efficiently and yet so many of us get this part of our skincare routine wrong. Understandable when so much of what we read and hear is telling us we are doing it right. It is true exfoliation is the key to a beautiful, renewed epidermis. But as they say, it’s not what you do but how you dot it.
Why are we getting this so wrong?
Did you ever have one of those moments when you felt you were the only one singing from the treetops about something you knew to be true? So much so, you even started to doubt yourself?
Yes, we’ve all had those moments, I certainly have (almost daily) and if you have, then you will understand my frustration with every article, blog post or social media blurb extolling the virtues of scrubs as a means of exfoliation!
These well-meaning products are an unnecessary addition to your skincare routine. I know, I know. You love using them and It’s true, you must get rid of all that dead skin. Sure, but not with a scratchy, abrasive scrub often consisting of tiny micro-beads or other crushed up seeds or kernels. Not only are all those micro-beads ending up in our beautiful rivers, streams and oceans, but these physical exfoliants (scrubs) are scratching the bejingo’s out of your skin. If you want an even more detailed version of what I think you can go here.
But just for a moment think of yourself as the very proud owner of a newly acquired and very beautiful handbag (stay with me, I have a point to make), the most beautiful you’ve ever dreamed of, perhaps a Kelly bag by Hermes, or a Prada, Burberry or Louis Vuitton. Whoever, as long as it’s leather. Now, do you imagine for one moment hacking at your newly acquired handbag with anything remotely abrasive? No? Me neither. So why would you do anything remotely abrasive to your delicate skin?
Serum or cream without abrasive exfoliants; the kind that contains Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy acids are the best way to exfoliate your skin. You’ll dissolve the dead skin cells on the surface of your epidermis.
Consider this. Liquid epidermal exfoliants, the type that contains Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy acids in a serum or lotion formulation are best for the exfoliation of your skin. They will dissolve your dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your epidermis, while at the same time stimulating enzyme reactions which trigger an increase in cell turnover. How good is that!
If you do this one thing and you do it well, then you will have much better skin and yes, perhaps that does mean a better version of you or at least a version of you that glows with luminosity.
But if I’m so right, then why do so many people bang on about scrubs?
That’s a fine question and I can only imagine it has something to do with creating and selling a product because everyone just keeps asking for it. It’s guaranteed to sell and who’s going to argue with that? It’s one of those weird things; everyone says it’s true so it must be. Right? Well, actually no. I’m at a bit of loss, bordering on despair (Okay that’s a bit drastic, but I do get very frustrated).
How often and how much is enough?
This is what you need to know, 1). Your serum must have an adequate percentage of AHA’s and BHA’s. Usually, a ratio of 8 per cent AHA to 2 per cent BHA is ideal, but this will depend on the formula you choose for your skin type, and 2). You should start slowly (once a week) and allow your skin to develop tolerance to the product and lastly 3). You may initially experience some mild tingling and redness. But despite this, rest assured your skin will love this workout and there is nothing scratchy or abrasive about the process, at all.
Epidermal exfoliation at its best.
I’ve chosen a few of my favourites, shown below. They all do the job beautifully. They all have the right amount of active ingredients to get the job done. Choose one of these and you will be well on your way to a renewed you, however, most good cosmeceutical brands will or should have something similar.
Here they are in a little more detail.
Let’s start with Australian brand, Ultraceuticals – Even Skintone Serum Mild, perfect for sensitive skins, while AhlpaH – Liquid Gold is an absolute cult classic, then there’s Environ’s Alpha Hydroxy Night Cream perfect for every skin type and gentle enough to use every day. Rationale – Catalyst Skin Refining Serum is a perfect balance of everything you need to give your skin a gentle workout.
How about you? Hooked on scrubs or have you found the perfect liquid exfoliant? Leave a comment below or shoot me an email if you have questions and if you like this post then I’d be so happy if you shared this Beauty 101 tip with your friends.
See you next time,
