How to Exfoliate Your Face Properly by Skin Type

Smoother, brighter, fuller - these are words associated with healthier skin. Regular exfoliation can help improve skin but only if you do it the right way for your skin type.

What to Use to Exfoliate Your Skin

There are two types of skin exfoliators: mechanical (scrubbing your skin with a washcloth or brush) or chemical (an alpha or beta hydroxy acid that dissolves dead skin cells).¹ Choose the one that works best with your skin type.

No matter your skin type, keep these general exfoliation tips¹ in mind:

• Avoid exfoliating if you have an acne breakout or open wounds on your skin.
• Don’t over exfoliate - be gentle and find a schedule that works with your skin. Signs of over exfoliation include skin irritation, flaking, redness, or breakouts.
• Always moisturize after exfoliating. Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is a great choice for a moisturizer that is gentle enough to use with other skincare products.
• Know the ingredients in your skincare products to make sure they won’t irritate your skin.

Knowing how to exfoliate and what to use to exfoliate can help you have your best looking skin.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is flaky, itchy, or rough. Be careful what you use on it so you don’t dry it out more. Moisturizing is your friend. When exfoliating dry skin, these tips can help.

• Use a mild chemical exfoliator - mechanical exfoliation can be too harsh.¹ 
• Look for a fragrance free option as scents may irritate dry skin.³
• Don’t exfoliate more than 1-2 times a week.⁶
• Always moisturize after exfoliating. 
• Look for a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid.⁴

Using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer like Foundation Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Lotion helps skin look more firm and radiant. It also aids skin healing, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin may burn or sting after using skin products, making it difficult to find the right exfoliant. Consult a dermatologist to determine if your sensitive skin is caused by an underlying condition like eczema or rosacea⁷ or a prescription medication.¹ Other exfoliating tips include:

• Try both mechanical and chemical exfoliants to find which works best for your skin.⁵

• Test products on a small patch of skin before using to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.⁸
• Start exfoliating only once a week.⁵
• Exfoliate only when you need it, but not more than twice a week.⁵ 
• Be gentle with your skin; don’t scrub.
• Only use fragrance free products. 
• Look for a chemical exfoliant with azelaic acid which is mild and well-tolerated by sensitive skin.⁹

Azelaic acid has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which means a product like Foundation Skincare Azelaic Acid 14% Cream not only reduces redness and keeps pores from clogging but helps kill bacteria and protect skin. 

Oily Skin

Oily skin feels shiny or greasy just hours after washing and has more acne breakouts. Keep these tips in mind for the best results from exfoliating:

• Use both chemical and physical exfoliants. Only use one at a time but you can alternate between them.¹⁷
• Exfoliate up to 3-4 times a week.¹⁷
• Exfoliate more in the summer when skin humidity and sweat makes skin oilier and pores clog more easily.¹⁶
• Use a light moisturizer.³ Look for a product with niacinamide.

Niacinamide, a type of vitamin B3 that reduces inflammation and locks in moisture, protecting skin from sun and environmental damage.¹¹ Foundation Skincare Niacinamide Lotion 10% helps control oil production, reducing acne and giving you smoother-looking skin.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others, usually the “T-zone” of your forehead, nose and chin, and can be challenging to exfoliate. You need to be in tune with what your skin needs and prepared to be flexible in your approach. 

• Exfoliate oily and dry sections of skin separately on different days, using a chemical or mechanical exfoliant on oily areas and a milder exfoliant on dry areas.
• Exfoliate 1-2 times a week, depending on the needs of your skin.
• Moisturize your dry skin, but not your oily T-zone.

Use Foundation Skincare’s Azelaic Acid 14% Cream on dry areas and Niacinamide Lotion 10% Lotion on your T-zone to keep combination skin bright and healthy.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is generally clear and not sensitive. It also means that you have many exfoliating options. 

• You can use both mechanical and chemical exfoliants, but don’t use both on the same day.³
• Exfoliate 2-3 times a week, depending on how your skin feels.¹⁷ Don’t overdo it.
• Use a moisturizing lotion like dermatologist-tested Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion after exfoliating to improve skin texture and tone.
• If you find you need additional exfoliation, consider using Foundation Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion 20% as a gentle way to improve skin without harsh chemicals.

Exfoliating Benefits

Your skin naturally exfoliates every 28 days,⁵ but you might want to get the benefits of exfoliating more often than that. The buildup of skin cells clogs your pores or makes your skin look dull - particularly in the fall and winter or as you age when skin gets drier.

Exfoliating regularly smoothes your skin, makes your pores less noticeable, and helps skin look brighter.⁵ If you have facial hair beard, exfoliating before you shave can reduce ingrown hairs.¹⁵ It also helps your skin absorb moisturizers or topical medications, and helps with smoother makeup application.⁵ 

It’s important you exfoliate with the right product at the right intervals. You may also need to adjust your schedule in the winter when your skin can become dryer or in the summer when it can be oilier. Over exfoliating can cause dry, irritated skin. Pay attention to your skin type and its exfoliation needs to get bright and healthy-looking skin.

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References:

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home

2. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/winter-skin-survival-kit

3. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/pick-moisturizer

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8347214/

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0qvmJN_huA

6. https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/how-to-exfoliate-face

7. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating

8. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g41358957/best-exfoliators-for-sensitive-skin/

9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10809820/

10. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-azelaic-acid-skin

11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5605215

12. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/treat-large-pores

13. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/healthy-beard

14. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keratosis-pilaris-self-care

15. https://dermydocbox.com/blogs/news/how-to-exfoliate-in-the-fall-and-winter

16. https://edit.sundayriley.com/the-dos-and-donts-of-summer-exfoliation/

17. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19775624/how-to-exfoliate-face