Guide to exfoliating your face
There's more to naturally glowing skin than just a clever highlighter. A radiant complexion requires loving care, regular nourishment, and gentle exfoliation. So, if you're looking to improve your skin's texture or simply want to ensure you're giving your face the five-star treatment it deserves, exfoliating is a great place to start.
From when to exfoliate your face to how to use a face scrub , our guide will tell you everything you need to know about exfoliating your face.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can be done mechanically, with a scrub or brush, or chemically, with a product that contains acids or other exfoliating agents.
What are the benefits of exfoliating your face?
Before we guide you through how to exfoliate your face, let's find out why you don't want to leave this step out of your beauty regime. Here are our favorite four benefits of exfoliating your skin.
Benefit 1: Maximise your moisturiser
Moisturising on a daily basis is great. But did you know dead skin cells on the surface of your skin can block your skincare products from properly absorbing? Gorgeous products deserve lovingly prepared skin and gently breaking down this barrier with exfoliating granules ensures your skin is ready to soak up the full benefits of your product. This enriching effect will leave you feeling blissful as if you’ve turned your shower into your own home spa.
Benefit 2: Reduce breakouts
Without regular exfoliation , the dead cells that build up on the skin's surface can lead to patchy skin that's prone to blemishes. So, if you struggle with acne or hormonal breakouts, exfoliating your face can help to reduce breakouts.
Our Fresh Scrub facial exfoliator uses natural exfoliating beads made from wood cellulose to remove impurities, leaving your skin feeling clean and refined. Finish off with your favorite moisturiser.
Benefit 3: Anti-aging benefits
Younger skin replenishes itself naturally every 28 days or so. This process slows down as we age, with skin often becoming rough and dehydrated due to the build-up of dead cells over time. Gently removing these cells allows for rejuvenated, skin cells to surface. What's more, anti-aging skincare products penetrate deeper into freshly exfoliated skin, so after exfoliating your face, treat it to a layer of our Extra-Firming Night Cream.
Benefit 4: Smooth make-up application
Exfoliate your facial skin for a smooth and fresh skin, creating the perfect base for your desired make-up look. So, if you want evening-ready skin, start your preparation with a gentle exfoliation. Not only will this encourage cell renewal to give you a more radiant, brighter complexion in an instant, but it will help your make-up remain even and in place all night long.
How to use an exfoliator on your face
If you're not sure how to exfoliate your face, don't worry - you're in good hands. Our five-step guide will show you the best way to exfoliate your face with Clarins gentle face scrubs, for a radiant and glowing complexion.
Step 1: Choose a nourishing face exfoliator
We love using Pure Scrub, which uses lava beads to gently wash away dead skin cells, instantly revealing a more luminous complexion.
Step 2: Splash your face with warm water
Warm water helps open up your pores, making it easier to gently remove impurities.
Step 3: Apply face exfoliator in small, circular motions
We recommend gently massaging for one to two minutes for the silkiest skin. Take extra care around your eye area, where the skin is much softer.
Step 4: Wash away
Rinse away any leftover product with toner.
Step 5: Nourish to flourish
Now there are no dead cells blocking the surface of your skin, your moisturiser is free to work its magic! We love the Hydra-Essentiel range which will activate the hydration process at all levels of the skin, leaving it quenched and radiant.
How often to exfoliate your facial skin
On average, we would recommend exfoliating your face 2-3 times a week, however, it depends on your skin type. Exfoliating supports your skin’s natural cell renewal process, so you don’t need to scrub every day – just provide a little helping hand.For the happiest skin, we recommend adjusting your exfoliating routine to suit your skin type.
How often to exfoliate oily skin
Aim to exfoliate four to five times per week to keep bay shining. Try Pure Scrub – a gel-based exfoliator containing organic Alpine Willow Herb extract to help reduce the activity of the key enzyme involved in sebum production.
How often to exfoliate combination skin
Is your skin a mixture of dry and oily? We recommend exfoliating two to three times per week. Fresh Scrub is perfect for giving your skin a refreshing blast of hydration and restoring balance.
How often to exfoliate sensitive skin
Choose a mild exfoliator and start by using it once a week, building up slowly to two to three times per week. –Comfort Scrub containing luxurious wild mango butter is rich in essential fatty acids that gently exfoliate, rejuvenate and nourish sensitive skin.
When to exfoliate your face
This depends entirely on you! Your skin routine needs to work for your lifestyle, so the best time to exfoliate will differ from person to person.
If you wear heavy make-up, exfoliating at night can help ensure all traces of foundation are removed along with dead skin cells, allowing your overnight moisturizer to fully absorb into the skin.
If your skin often looks dull in the morning, however, a gentle exfoliation when you rise will encourage a more luminous complexion, while creating a perfect, even base for make-up.
Treat your skin to an exfoliating facial
After a little something extra? Escape to a tranquil place of pampering and relaxation at a Clarins skin SPA near you. For the ultimate treat, book our signature Radiance booster facial - a revitalizing treatment that recharges dull, tired skin with a cocktail of antioxidants and plant extracts. A healthy, dewy glow? It's yours to keep. But if you’d like to bring the spa experience home with you, we have some tips on how to make your shower a spa-like experience.
shine brighter
So your face is gorgeous and glowing - but why stop there? For beautifully nourished skin from head to toe, make sure your body is getting the same exfoliation benefits too. Read our guide to exfoliating your body for everything you need to know about making your skin feel its most nourished, radiant self.
