Exfoliation 101

Working as a Skin Therapist, I am kind of shocked when I ask my clients if they exfoliate and they say, "what's exfoliate?"

So here it is: EXFOLIATION 101 the simple version

What is Exfoliation?

Sloughing off dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and debris from the surface of the skin

Why Exfoliate?

In order to promote new skin cell growth, we need to eliminate the "crap" that's preventing the new skin cells from doing their magic... which is:

• improving resistance against the environment
• helping build up Collagen and Elastin
• and overall, helping to improve a brighter more youthful appearance of the skin

As we age, our skin renewal cycle slows, along with everything else... Exfoliating helps speed up our cell renewal process.

Other benefits of exfoliation:

• helps with acne by eliminating the "crap" that's holding in the bacteria on the skin that causes breakouts
• helps with scarring from acne and sun damage
• promotes a smooth, even complexion

Now, this the most important part...

What to exfoliate with

There are two types of exfoliants: chemical and physical

Chemical exfoliants:

Include: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)

Physical exfoliants:

Include: grainy scrubs that feel sandy or rough, or cleansers that have "micro-scrubbers" or "micro-beads"

Chemical vs Physical

Chemical

Positive

• penetrate the skin better because of it's small molecular size.
• promotes a higher state of Collagen and Elastin

Negative

• can be irritating to sensitive skin
• a few amount of people can have allergic reactions
• can take a few days to show it's effectiveness

Expect to feel a slight tingle with chemical exfoliants and redness may occour for longer than using a physical exfoliant

Physical

Positive

• No chemicals are involved so there's less risk of burning sensation or slight irritation
• Super natural ingredients (most of the time)
• Immediate results of smooth, even skin

Negative

• can irritate the Epidermis (outer layer of the skin) due to larger molecular size
• often have uneven shaped particles, or rough edges, (ie: a certain brands Apricot Scrub) that can lead to outer layer skin scratches and micro-tears

My opinion

I love chemical exfoliants! Including chemical peels. They do take a little bit longer to show full results but it's worth the wait. Slight flaking or peeling may occur with chemical exfoliants but that just lets me know that it's doing it's job!

Mild physical exfoliants are perfect for the "in-between" treatments between chemical peels because it will eliminate that slight flaking or peeling

Ultimate Opinion:

They compliment each other

The Rules of Exfoliation

• Base your exfoliant on the thickness of the skin. The thicker the skin, the more it can take!
• Do NOT over do it! Once a week is cool for either type of exfoliant
• Limit Chemical peels to once every 4-6 weeks to avoid thinning of the skin and possible cell damage
• Natural is ALWAYS the best!!!

My fave is a physical exfoliant:

Wei Pomegranate Buffing Beads

This product is awesome because you can mix it with your favorite cleanser or use it by itself...

... And my ultimate fave is something for your entire body

Dermalogica's The Ultimate Buffing Cloth

Use with your favorite body wash (sulfate-free, of course) and lather up starting from your feet moving upward toward the heart.  The cloth is extra long so you don't have to miss an inch!  ... it's easy to store and it's machine washable!

The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen... a Shoppers Guide to Pesticides

The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 most pesticide contaminated fruits and veggies we consume. From nectarines and apples to celery and lettuce, this list provides percentages of pesticides, found on these fruits and veggies, from what they sampled in research. Read this list and you will now know why we need to EAT ORGANIC and pass the word along...

The Clean Fifteen is a list of the veggies least likely to have pesticides. This list excites me! My favorite stuff is on this one, from broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes to sweet corn and onions.

These lists were put together, after thorough research, by the Environmental Working Group, EWG. Check out their website and you can learn a thing or two!

Through the EWG's Shoppers Guide to Pesticides, you can also learn how to reduce exposure to pesticides, health effects of pesticides, and government regulations concerning pesticides. This site is super useful and informative so share this info with the one's you LOVE!

Another cool thing about this site is that they have a downloadable guide and an iPhone app!!! For the iPhone app, search for Dirty Produce in the App Store...

LOVE

The Benefits Of Coconut Oil

I've recently read about the benefits of Coconut Oil for cooking and that led me to discover the benefits of Coconut Oil on the skin!

Coconut Oil is a highly saturated tropical oil derived from coconuts... and is considered a "good fat" (think Avocados)

For Cooking

• Use instead of butter or oil to saute veggies (or anything that you would use butter or oil for in cooking)

Benefits for Cooking

• Protects against:
• heart disease
• cancer
• diabetes
• may protect against parasites found in certain water
• Other benefits
• acts as an antioxidant protecting against free radicals
• strengthens the immune system
• can relieve, reduce, or prevent infectious diseases

As if that wasn't good enough...check out the benefits on the skin

• can build up a resistance to UV sunlight
• protects the skin from invading germs dealt with on a daily basis
• can soothe and heal injuries
• has anti-aging properties and can actually reduce and prevent wrinkles
• Bonus: Can be used as a conditioner for hair!

My experiences

I've used it as a hair conditioner and as an oil for my body and I'm def In the Love!

To use as a hair conditioner:

Note: Don't plan on having any evening plans when doing this

• liquefy coconut oil and apply to dry hair
• let it sit for about 1 hour
• rinse (it will not rinse all the way out)
• go to bed
• wake up and SHAMPOO ONLY
• style as usual

Yes, it will feel kinda oily after the first rinse, before you got to bed, so put a towel on your pillow.

To use as a body oil:

• liquefy and apply to damp skin
• apply all over (even your face as a super moisturizer before bed)

This is especially beneficial if you exfoliate before you apply... you'll be super soft!

To liquefy:

I just take the whole jar into the shower with me and let the running water heat it up and it's ready when I'm done showering Or you can fill a large cup or pot with hot water and put the entire jar into it. No need to liquefy the entire jar, just enough for the amount needed (which is not that much).

You can find coconut oil in most health food stores. I get mine from Trader Joe's (it's cheaper than most other stores) and I use Spectrum Naturals Refined Coconut Oil for about 9 bucks.

LOVE