Exfoliation

[glitzy07]

What products do you use for facial exfoliation? I realized recently that the main thing missing from my skincare routine is exfoliation and I need to figure out the best way to incorporate it in because I feel like my skin is just kind of dull-looking.

I currently use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and I really like it, but this is the first time in a long time that I've settled on a cleanser without microscrubbers or something of the sort. Since I like the cleanser, I've wondered if I should just use something like a Clarisonic for exfoliation occasionally. My sister is an esthetician and she said that my specific (dry) skin doesn't need something like the Clarisonic daily, and that I might be better off just buying an exfoliating cleanser and using it once a week or something.

If it matters, during the daytime I follow up with an anti-aging eye cream, Vitamin C serum, and CeraVe moisturizer. At night I use the eye cream and Philosophy Miracle Worker night cream.

[sporky]

I've tried a variety of things with some successes and some not-so-successes. I used to use my Clarisonic regularly, but stopped a year or two ago in order to try other things. Honestly, I think I'm just going to go back to using it though, because that seems to work the best for exfoliating my skin.

As far as gentle face wash exfoliators, I do like the Philosophy Microdelivery facewash and Tatcha's Rice Enzyme Powder (the gentle version).

Chemical serum exfoliators have been more difficult for me because many AHAs break me out and I haven't seen a ton of improvement with the BHAs that I've tried. So far, unfortunately for my wallet, the Sunday Riley Good Genes has been my favorite.

Your sister does make a good point about not necessarily needing to exfoliate daily- most people don't need more than few times a week. I tend to mix it up and use some sort of physical exfoliator about twice a week and some sort of chemical exfoliator two or three times a week.

[ESF]

I love Ole Henricken's Walnut Scrub. It's very abrasive, so I can't use it often. Typicaly only on Saturdays right before I apply a mask. Sometimes once again mid-week if my skin feels rough. Then I use the DE night serum as a chemical exfoliation a couple times a week.

I also have a charcoal facecloth thing. I like it, but I hate staying on top of keeping it clean so I don't use it much.

[NewGirlNic]

Chemical exfoliation is always my recommendation. I started with the Pixi Glow Tonic and it made my skin so much brighter and smoother within a week or so. Now I use the Ordiary's glycolic acid, which is just a higher concentration.

[centralsquare]

LOVE THIS: www.soniaroselli.com/products/exfoliate-facial-body-before-spray-tan-body-care

[mila]

I also have the same skin (dry), and I love my clarisonic for light exfoliation. I also use OH's walnut scrub if I wanted something a little more coarse. When traveling, if i don't bring my clarisonic, then I will use Bare Minerals polishing grains. Hope that is helpful!

[SallyJ]

I use chemical exfoliation. Physical is too much for my skin and causes terrible breakouts and irritation. I use Cosrx whitehead for AHA and Cosrx blackhead for BHA. I also use Alpha Lipoic Acid from The Ordinary once a week.

For deep cleansing and cleaning out my pores, I use a clay mask with this method: fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/03/28/how-to-shrink-pores-temporarily-plus-3-pore-myths/

[bowies]

I've also turned away from physical exfoliating now that my skin is thinning (aging). I use DE Framboos about 2x a week and I have a bottle of TO Lactic Acid 5% to replace it. I use it at night.

[mrsukyankee]

Everything I've read about physical exfoliation is that it's not good for the skin (overall), especially as you age. I use TO's Lactic Acid 5% and TO's Azelaic Acid Suspension alternatively and they are helping a lot (both at night).