A smooth and luminous complexion is the one style trend that suits everyone and is 100% achievable with little effort for us all!
Spring is on the horizon and with the new incoming season, we can literally shed our winter skin for all the newness of spring! One of the best ways to achieve this is by using an exfoliator.
What does an exfoliator do?
Exfoliating is an essential step in any skincare routine, and an exfoliator helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. By undertaking regular treatments, using an exfoliant can reveal smoother and brighter skin by promoting cell turnover, which can decrease as you get older.
It can improve the overall texture and tone of your skin, encouraging the regeneration of new skin cells, which can help reduce the appearance of skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and acne scars over time. With consistent use, a skin exfoliator can create a more even complexion, leaving you with glowing and youthful-looking skin.
What are the benefits of using an exfoliator?
Using an exfoliator can help unclog pores as well as preventing the buildup of debris that could lead to acne, blackheads, and other skin concerns. By using an exfoliator to remove the outer layer of dead skin, as well as providing you with a more even-toned complexion, it will also help your other skincare products like serums and moisturisers work even harder to their full potential.
Products that are applied on exfoliated skin will penetrate deeper, making them even more effective, resulting in more hydrated and nourished skin.
An exfoliator is a fantastic way to target specific skin concerns that you might have. For example, using an exfoliant that has alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can be highly effective for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin. The beauty of these acids is that they not only exfoliate, but they also help regulate oil production and reduce inflammation and redness.
Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs are often gentler on the skin and can be used more often than physical exfoliants (scrubs with gritty particles). If you use a stronger exfoliant, such as an enzyme mask or a product with a higher concentration of acids, it’s best to limit exfoliation to once or twice a week.
A grainy exfoliant such as a creamy scrub with exfoliating particles are ideal for those with dry skin as they are less harsh and can provide an instant smoothing effect.
No matter what your skin type is, incorporating an exfoliator into your skincare routine can give your complexion a healthier, more vibrant look.
How to apply an exfoliator
If you’re using a physical exfoliator such as a scrub, simply take a small amount of the product and apply it to damp (not dry) skin.
Gently massage it in small sweeping circular motions for about 30 seconds to one minute, avoiding the delicate eye area. Try not to use too much pressure or scrub too hard as this can irritate the skin.
If you’re using a chemical exfoliant (like an AHA or BHA serum), apply it to a cotton pad or your fingertips and gently pat it onto your face, concentrating on areas that need more exfoliation, such as the forehead, nose, and chin.
How often should you exfoliate?
If you are wondering how often you should use an exfoliator, it really does depend on what your skin type is. Most people can exfoliate between once to twice a week, but if you have sensitive or dry skin, it’s best to start with exfoliating once a week and gradually increase the frequency as your skin builds tolerance.
It’s important to try and avoid over-exfoliating your skin as this can lead to irritation, redness, and even damage to the skin’s natural barrier, so it’s super important to find the right balance.
For oily or acne-prone skin, you may be able to exfoliate more frequently, up to three or even four times a week, depending on how your skin reacts.
The key is to listen to your skin and if you notice any signs of over-exfoliation, such as irritation, redness, or peeling, take a step back and allow your skin some time to recover.
Give your skin some extra TLC, by using super-hydrating serums, hydrating moisturisers, and more as well as applying sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy as exfoliating can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
What are the best exfoliators to try this spring?
When it comes to picking the right exfoliator for you, it’s important to determine what skin type you are and to consider any specific skincare concerns. Here’s our top picks for the best exfoliator for you to try right now!
EviDens La Creme Exfoliante Double Action Cream
Seriously plumped out and even-toned skin is an absolute must regardless of the season and this exfoliator not only looks good on your dressing table, but it does brilliant things for your skin too!
This double-action, soft, creamy exfoliating mask combines Triple Collagen®, anti-aging QAI® Complex, and purifying agents for a dual-action treatment. It also has micro-pearls that gently remove impurities and nutrients that replenish and revitalise the skin.
The result? Softer, clearer, and brighter skin, deeply protected and strengthened.
£85
https://www.harrods.com/
Organic Pharmacy Rose Exfoliating Night Essence
The Rose Exfoliating Night Essence from The Organic Pharmacy is a lightweight, overnight reparative night-time treatment designed to moisturise, brighten, exfoliate, and boost skin elasticity, resulting in smoother, more youthful skin by morning. What more could you want?!
Super soothing, it not only smells great, but it’s suitable for all skin types, this essence combines the benefits of a cleanser and a skin peel, enhancing the natural process of cell renewal and leaving skin brighter and more luminous.
Clinically proven to moisturise, brighten, exfoliates and boosts elasticity for smoother, youthful skin by morning. Perfect for all skin types, this super-charged essence is also vegan and contains hyaluronic acid giving your skin a totally unmissable treat!
£32
https://www.theorganicpharmacy.com
UpCircle Face Scrub Citrus with Coffee + Rosehip Oil.
That’s that me espresso! Coffee is not just great for making you feel all kinds of perky, it’s also fantastic for perking up your skin too! We love this gentle face exfoliator from the ethical skincare brand UpCircle. As the name suggests, every product contains ingredients that have been upcycled.
This citrus-based skin exfoliator uses upcycled coffee grounds that the team collect from cafes and restaurants all over London. Each face scrub saves the equivalent of four espresso shots from being discarded, meaning that it’s not only kind to your skin, but to the planet too!
The scrub feels amazing to the touch and is smoothing, brightening, and gentle – packed with skin moisturising ingredients like raw unrefined shea butter and coconut oil.
Is it that sweet? I guess so!
£17.99
Lush Sticky Dates Scrub
This scrub is a double-tasking powerhouse, whilst technically it’s a body exfoliator, you can use it on your face too. It exfoliates, moisturises, and scents your skin with a delicious rich, vanilla-caramel fragrance.
Pop it on in the shower and get scrub happy and use a handful of this exfoliator scrub all over your body. The golden caster sugar exfoliates to reveal glowing skin, whilst the Fair Trade organic cocoa butter and date syrup hydrate, leaving you feeling soft and smelling like a treat!
£11
Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator
Apricots are a fantastic natural ingredient for your skin, and the Volcanic Exfoliator from Bioeffect uses ground apricot seeds which helps remove the build-up of dead skin and impurities from your skin.
The gel-to-cream formula contains Sunflower Oil, Glycerin, and a derivative of Coconut Oil to nourish and hydrate the skin as well as the antioxidant Vitamin E.
It also uses volcanic lava from Iceland, azelaic acid, a naturally occurring acid found in grains such as barley which provides a mild exfoliating action that helps to unclog pores and refines, buffs, nourishes, and hydrates your skin‘s surface, leaving it feeling soft and smooth, leaving it camera ready for the absorption of serums and moisturisers.
£35
Zelens PHA + Resurfacing Essence
It’s easy to see why this award-winning next generation resurfacing essence is one of the most popular exfoliator products around! Using a powerful but gentle blend of PHAs, AHAs, BHAs and fruit enzymes make it an ideal exfoliator solution to give you smoothness without the stinging.
The essence effortlessly removes dead skin cells from your face without stripping your skin of moisture. Infused with antioxidants from green Shiso leaves to help shield against environmental damage and pumpkin enzymes which naturally exfoliate dead skin cells.
It also promotes skin renewal and brightening and smoothing out the skin surface. This handy, one-step resurfacing treatment helps to refine skin texture and smooth out skin surface while revealing a healthy, more radiant complexion.
£52
Pharmaceris T SEBO-ALMOND PEEL 10%
Ideal for acne-prone, oily, and uneven skin, this lightweight cream contains a potent 10% concentration of mandelic acid, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and reduces blackheads and breakouts.
This specialised treatment is inspired by chemical peels and is also a bit of a game changer when it comes to minimising the appearance of pores, whilst regulating the production of sebum. If you have post-acne discoloration, the brightening formula will help brighten and refine, leading to a smoother and more even complexion.
If you are looking for an exfoliator to smooth and tighten the skin, then this Almond Peel is most definitely for you as the sweet almond proteins provide anti-aging benefits by smoothing and tightening the skin, resulting in a refreshed and youthful appearance upon waking, making you one heck of a smooth operator!
£15
L.C.P Cocooning Soothing Exfoliating Cream Scrub 200ml
Soothing with a beautiful fragrance, the L.C.P Professionnel Paris Cocooning soothing exfoliating cream scrub gently removes impurities to boost your skin’s radiance.
Created in France — and we all know how great the French are when it comes to ooh la la inducing skincare — the cream formula exfoliates the skin whilst adding moisture, and best of all, you just need a small amount in order to leave skin feeling soft and smooth with a delicate fragrance.
£36
Grown Alchemist Polishing Exfoliant
It’s a kind of magic! When it comes to skincare wizardry, the team at Grown Alchemist have certainly pushed the boat out when it comes to amazing skincare finds such as this exfoliator!
It exfoliates and refines skin and gently buffs to remove dead cells to reveal a softer, smoother, and brighter complexion. Expertly formulated with finely milled Bamboo particles and a kind-to-skin blend of ingredients like Camellia Seed and Rosehip Oil, it offers a mild physical exfoliation that promises not to disrupt the skin barrier.
A universal, suits-all product, this exfoliator is ideal for all skin types but particularly those looking to combat dullness and texture. This little tube of magic will not just leave you spell-bound but will also leave you with a radiant-looking and luminous glow.
£46
https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/grown-alchemist-polishing-exfoliator-75ml/15372570/
SKIN|CYCLES Glycolic Brightening Gel Cleanser
Clearer, brighter skin care is an absolute must for everyone, and this brightening cleanser is an invariable game changer! Whilst technically it’s not an exfoliant, some of this clever cleansers properties will give you the same payoff that an exfoliator offers.
It contains glycolic acid which helps slough off dead skin cells, revealing a fresh and radiant surface, a sure-fire way to improve the texture of your skin, remedying concerns such as dullness and pigmentation. It also has the powerhouse that is Phytic Acid which goes a long way to brighten skin whilst fighting free radical damage and Citric Acid which helps balance the skin’s pH levels, promoting a smoother, more even texture while helping to protect against environmental damage.
£55
Benefit – The POREfessional Wow Polish
It’s simply poreFECTION! This new product from Benefit ticks so many boxes, and what we love about it is that it’s a powder that you mix with water to create a creamy yet effective exfoliator paste made from its triple pore-exfoliating powder.
Add as much or as little as you like, you are in control! If you favour more of a creamy foam-led exfoliator, use a smaller amount of water, and if you prefer a foamier texture, add a generous amount of H2O for a refreshing mix of exfoliating blitz!
The days of scrape-y sandpaper scrubs are gone with this retexturising powder that is both triple pore exfoliating and a triple threat at the same time!
