We tend to care more about the skin on our face than the skin on our body, but we forget that every day, our entire skin is exposed to various external factors that can damage it.
Factors That Damage the Skin and the Importance of Exfoliation
Some of these factors include pollution, sun exposure, weather conditions (cold, hot, humid, or dry), stress, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol, and synthetic or chemical-based products we constantly apply, such as body soap, creams, sunscreens, and makeup.
Dead skin cells often accumulate on the surface, clogging pores and leading to skin imperfections like dark spots, excess oil (acne, blackheads, pimples), and keratosis pilaris (clogged pores). Other imperfections can develop in deeper layers of the skin, such as cellulite or stretch marks.
Types of Skin Exfoliants
Deeply cleansing the skin with a good exfoliant is essential in our beauty and skincare routine. You can choose from:
- Physical exfoliation (brushes, gloves, or scrubs with granules – for normal to oily skin).
- Chemical exfoliation (acids that dissolve dead skin cells without scrubbing – for sensitive or acne-prone skin).
- Enzymatic exfoliation (gentle exfoliation with natural enzymes – for sensitive or reactive skin)
If your concern is stretch marks or cellulite, we recommend physical exfoliation using a natural ingredient-based scrub, such as the Azala Natura scrub made with walnut shell, aloe vera, and grapefruit extract. These ingredients deeply cleanse without irritation, helping to reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. For more information on exfoliation for cellulite, check out this blog post.
The Ideal Exfoliation Frequency
Exfoliate as often as your skin needs since not all skin types are the same. If you have dry or sensitive skin, exfoliate only once a week. If your skin is combination or oily, you can exfoliate twice a week.
Exfoliate with gentle, circular motions without applying too much pressure (in the same direction as a clock’s hands). Avoid exfoliating if you have wounds or skin irritation, and do not expose yourself to the sun immediately after exfoliating. Always use non-aggressive products.
It is crucial to apply a highly moisturizing cream after each exfoliation. Shape-u contains retinol, hyaluronic acid, grapefruit extract, seaweed extract, and essential oils to hydrate and restore your skin’s glow, elasticity, and firmness.
Stress and lack of sleep are some external factors that damage our skin. If you’re not sleeping well and feel stressed, check out Glow-Me.
