Get Your Fall Glow with Our Exfoliation Guide
Regular exfoliation assists in unclogging pores which helps prevent acne and blackheads, improves skin texture, removes dead skin cells, promotes collagen, increases cell turnover, boosts product absorption, and reduces fine lines.
A chemical exfoliator utilizes enzymes or acids to gently exfoliate the skin. The most common acid exfoliators are Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), with some examples being glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. An even gentler alternative to acids are enzymes which are naturally in many fruits. Using specific fruit enzymes in your skin care is a great way to get the at home spa experience with delicious fruit aromatics while getting baby smooth skin. Some fruit enzyme exfoliants are derived from pineapple, papaya and pumpkin. A great exfoliant for the Fall season is the Eminence Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% which contains enzymes from pumpkin and papaya, glycolic acid, lactic acid, as well as botanical hyaluronic acid.
Pro Tip: Eminence products can be purchased in the Spa on the Hill Country Herb Garden property. For the month of October and November in The Spa you can curate your Organic Custom facial to include a Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% and a Pumpkin Latte Hydration Mask.
A physical exfoliator uses small granular particles or a rough material such as a facial sponge or brush. Physical exfoliants give a more immediate result, but can be a little less gentle than a chemical exfoliant. If your skin is highly sensitive it is more beneficial to go with the latter. If your skin is rougher, thicker, or has a lot of build up then the physical exfoliator may be best or a combination of the two exfoliants. Physical exfoliants can be great for special occasions as it gives your face a glowy appearance by increasing blood flow to that area. The new Eminence Barbados Cherry Enzyme Cleansing Powder offers a great chemical and physical exfoliant combination containing Diatomaceous Earth powder, two kinds of enzymes, vitamin C from the superfood Barbados Cherries, and antioxidants.
How many times a week you exfoliate depends on if your skin is normal, dry, or oily. It is recommended that people with normal or oily skin types gently exfoliate 2-3 times per week, and that those with dry skin types only exfoliate once or twice a week to every other week. It is best to start off slow when introducing a new step to your skin care routine to prevent sensitizing your skin.
While exfoliating you should also be moisturizing and protecting your skin to prevent irritation. After exfoliating it is best to use a hydrating moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, aloe, or glycerin to retain the moisture you add. Always finish off your day time skin care routine with an SPF especially after exfoliating the top layer of skin.
