10 reasons to exfoliate

If I had a penny for every time I raved about exfoliation, I’d be a billionarie.

And I’m not done, yet.

Because exfoliation is awesome. It’s one of the best things you can do for your skin, and if you ain’t doing it already, you need to jump on this bandwagon ASAP, my smart friend.

Here are all the reasons why:

1. Exfoliation Makes Skin Smoother…

Dead cells love piling up on the surface of your skin, making it rougher to the touch. Then, there are wrinkles. They make your skin fold and crease. A little bit of exfoliation will smooth everything out. Yep, even wrinkles. It won’t remove them completely, but it’ll make them look smaller.

Related: Treatment VS Prevention: What Really Works Against Wrinkles

2. … And Brighter

You know what else all those dead cells do to your skin? They rob it of its natural glow. If your skin’s been dull and lackluster lately, now you know what to blame. So, exfoliate away!


Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):


3. Exfoliation Lightens Dark Spots

Those skin cells on the surface are the oldest. The most sun damaged. That’s why they create darker spots on your face. Then, there are freckles, melasma, and well… there can be 100 reasons why your skin tone is darker in certain places and lighter in others. Whatever the cause, getting rid of those top dead cells will lighten those dark spots.

Related: The Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: What’s The Best Alternative To Hydroquinone?

4. Exfoliation Gets Rid Of Pimples, Blackheads, And Whiteheads

If your skin’s producing way too much oil than it needs, some of it will remain trapped in  your pores. Together with dead skin cells. When these two spend too much time together, they clog your pores. That’s a recipe for pimples, blackheads, whiteheads… all forms of acne, basically. Guess how you get rid of them? By exfoliating those pores, of course!

Related: The Difference Between Blackheads, Whiteheads, And Pimples And How To Treat Them

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5. Exfoliation Prevents Breakouts

Getting rid of blackheads, breakouts and co is all well and good. But, wouldn’t it be even better if you didn’t have to deal with them in the first place? Exfoliate those pores regularly and you won’t have to. The gunk won’t have the time to accumulate in there fast enough.

Related: How To Get Rid Of Blackheads

6. Exfoliation Shrinks Pores

The size of your pores is genetically determined, so you can’t shrink it. But, when your pores are clogged, the crap in there will stretch them out, making them look a lot larger than they naturally are. If your pores are the size of an orange, you know now what to do. Exfoliate!

Related: 3 Ways To Shrink Large Pores

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7. Exfoliation Speeds Up Cellular Turnover

Did you know that your skin renews itself every month or so? When it’s young. As it gets older, it needs a little helping hand to make that happen. Enter exfoliation. It speeds up the process, helping your skin get rid of old and damaged cells and replacing them with newer and healthier ones more quickly.

8. Exfoliation Boosts Your Skincare Routine

You can use the best skincare products in the world, but if they meet a thick wall of dead skin cells, they won’t be able to penetrate deep enough to do their job. If you want to see results quickly (or at all), remove all obstacles from their way.

Related: 4 Ways To Enhance The Penetration Of Your Skincare Products

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9. Exfoliation Makes Makeup Go On Evenly

There’s nothing worse than a foundation that stubbornly clings to rough or flaky patches. It just makes you look ill and horrible. Give it a smooth canvas to adhere to instead. Exfoliation does the job quickly.

10. Exfoliation Gives You An Even Tan

You know what happens when you have a cluster of dead cells piling up here and there? You tan unevenly. Some parts of your face are a lovely golden brown. Others way too brown. If you want to look like a bronzed goddess, remove those piles of dead skin cells first.

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How Do You Exfoliate Your Skin?

It depends on your skin type:

BEST EXFOLIANT FOR DRY AND SUN-DAMAGED SKIN: GLYCOLIC ACID

The gold standard of exfoliation, glycolic acid targets all the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. It also hydrates skin and boost collagen production. Bye bye wrinkles!

Best picks:

Related: The Best Exfoliants With Glycolic Acid

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BEST EXFOLIANT FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN: SALICYLIC ACID

Salicylic acid is the only exfoliant that can get into the pores and unclog them from within. If breakouts and large pores are the bane of your existence, this is the way to go.

Best picks:

Related: Why Salicylic Acid Is Key To Keeping Oily Skin Blemish-Free

the ordinary lactic acid 10 + ha 2 01

BEST EXFOLIANT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: LACTIC ACID

Lactic acid is the gentlest exfoliant out there so if your skin is a diva prone to tantrums, make the introduction. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many exfoliants that only contain lactic acid, so you may have to spend a bit more to get your dose of TLC.

Best picks:

  • Sunday Riley Good Genes (USA version) ($105.00): available at Sephora
  • The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% (£5.50): available at Cult Beauty and Feel Unique

Related: 3 Ways To Exfoliate Sensitive Skin

The Bottom Line

If you crave smoother, brighter and younger-looking skin free from blemishes, exfoliation is the way to go. Just don’t overdo it. Two or three times a week is more than enough to give you the gorgeous skin you deserve.