Today’s “Monday Musts” post is all about exfoliating! Before I can talk about any other skin care or beauty product, this needed to be discussed! Exfoliating your face, is the primer of all primers for product absorption and flawless makeup application. If you skip this easy, at-home step in skincare, you’re truly missing out on experiencing the best skin you could have! Regularly exfoliating the surface of your skin, diminishes age spots and discoloration, removes dead skin cells which clog pores, minimizes pore size and maximizes product absorption from your favorite serums and moisturizers.
I introduced some physical (a hard substance) exfoliators as well as a couple of chemical (acid or enzymes) exfoliators and talked about how these can be used together, separately or as a weekly regime. Physical and chemical exfoliators essentially do the same thing: degunk your skin by removing dead skin cells, stimulating collagen production and thereby diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Our preferred chemical choice is Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) because they are safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding – while still being very effective. AHA’s work by combining with the structural lipids in the outermost layer of your skin and dissolving them so that the dead skin cells can break away naturally. AHA’s are water soluble, moisturizing and proven to reduce signs of sun damage on your skins surface. We also mentioned a fruit enzyme exfoliator in our Monday Musts, and while we haven’t tested it ourselves yet – we can tell you that these are usually better choices for those with sensitive skin. Another way to increase cell turnover, is through use of physical exfoliators; these can be mechanical (like the tool listed below), or a granular scrub. This type of exfoliation boosts circulation, resulting in a beautiful glow and stimulates collagen production.
Everything we’ve listed is safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and some more natural than others but all relatively clean. We love to reference the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website ” Skin Deep” before using any new product. A great step in moving towards cleaner living, is to first cross-reference your current skin products by typing their brand name in the search bar. When I first started this non-toxic journey about 9 years ago, I was shocked by what some of my most favorite products were rated and what the ingredients in them could do in my body, and it was the catalyst to making over my skincare regimen.
Without further ado! Here are some notes from today’s stories, about exfoliators I actually use and love!
- Physical exfoliator
- Cross between mild and medium abrasiveness; you can feel the teeny tiny particles (very fine texture) in this creamy cleanser, as you scrub
- Perfect for everyday
- Holistic, yet science-based exfoliator detoxifies, smooths and fights free radicals
- This company says they’re at the forefront of anti-aging of the future
- Free from gylcols, petrochemicals, silicones, parabens, synthetics, fragrance and animal derivatives
- Glucomannan from Konjac absorbs oils and impurities, detoxifying delicate facial skin while rejuvenating, smoothing and rebalancing, leaving skin looking radiant
- Polylactic acid from corn starch gently assists delaminating and dissolving dry and dead skin cells leaving facial skin looking refreshed and revitalized
- Pink grapefruit rich in free radical fighting antioxidants: vitamin c flavonoids noticeably improve the appearance of skin effected by oxidative stress while polyphenols from peppermint leaf leave facial skin looking calm and soothed
- Very distinctive scent- it’s not overpowering
- $67 on Amazon Prime (check for lower pricing on Walmart and Overstocks websites if you’re not in a rush to start polishing)
- Physical exfoliator
- Agressive abrasion, you can feel the difference
- I use it daily but if you have sensitive skin, 1-3 x a week is suitable!
- Acure is a skin care company focused on creating products without parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, paraffin, mineral oil or animal testing
- Natural and organic ingredients: utilizes sea kelp, lemon-peel granules and walnut shell flour to exfoliate and French green clay to decongest pores (if you have a nut allergy, be aware of the walnut)
- Contains plant-based stem cells (to boost cell turnover – although more research needs to be done on whether plant stem cells actually do anything)
- Nutritious ingredients like rose hips, aloe, chlorella and argan oil are soothing and replenishing
- Thick paste, packed with scrubbing particles – only need a pea sized amount
- Splash your face with water first; I like to keep it in the shower
- Can’t stop feeling your face after; I’m not kidding – will leave your face baby soft
- $8.49 on Amazon Prime, $9.99 in stores
- Great for those with sensitive skin, and for those who want something more aggressive, thanks to the discs provided
- Use once a week only
- Safe and effective at-home skin care tool that provides the similar results as professional, in-office microdermabrasion treatments
- Combines the power of spinning disc technology with a calibrated vacuum suction to brighten, smooth, and even skin tone and texture
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, and enlarged pores
- It comes with different discs, with varying degrees of abrasiveness and different sizes so you can use it on your body as well
- $199 (although I found mine for less during a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!)
- Smooth, slippery serum with no granules
- Potent formula of 5% purified grade lactic acid (AHA) enhanced with licorice extract to visibly brighten the appearance of age spots and discolorations
- Non-irritating for sensitive skin, and can use it nightly, or morning and night
- Company has a commitment to green technology and to produce clean formulas
- Focus on supplier and ingredient integrity and uses advanced, clinically proven ingredients in conjunction with balancing botanicals
- Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances; also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and comes in recyclable packaging
- Clinically proven to plump the look of fine lines and wrinkles in as few as three minutes
- Smooths rough patches and dull surface of skin
- Treats age spots and discoloring
- Glowing, smooth, plump skin
- $105 with Amazon Prime delivery (or you can buy it on the Dermstore website for $89.25 with a subscription thats easy to change or cancel at any time)
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