Go easy on exfoliation

For some reason, the skin is the only thing that we feel happy to vigorously exfoliate.  We would never think it was a good idea to erode our hair or our nails as we would instinctively know that it would weaken and damage them.  But most ‘skincare’ brands encourage us to do just that to our skin!

The Stratum Corneum is the most outer layer of the skin.  It is made up of dead cells and this is why it has been considered expendable in the pursuit of smooth skin.  However, it has recently been discovered that there is a lot of biological activity that goes on between the layers of dead cells in what is called the bi-layers. It is in this area that much of the strength and protection is gained.  If we exfoliate away these cells we also lose these important bi-layers and the vital protection they offer.

The answer is to gently exfoliate your skin with a product recommended by a professional, such as your beauty therapist.  How regularly you need to do this will depend on your skin type.  Finer, more sensitive skins need no more than once a week but congested or sluggish skins may need more regular exfoliation. If you’re considering deeper exfoliation procedures, make sure you see a trained professional.