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E is for EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation. It’s another word you should familiarize yourself with if you want clear, polished skin and a close comfortable shave. So what is it?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin that accumulates on the surface of your face. A build up of dead skin cells contribute to the most common skin problems including blackheads, acne and ingrown hair. Exfoliating your face helps with these issues - big time! It’s also one of the best ways to get a closer, smoother shave. Now technically, when you shave you’re not just removing facial hair- you’re also exfoliating, courtesy of the razor. And though shaving is one way to do it, I want to focus on an easier, MORE COMPLETE way to exfoliate your face and neck: using a scrub.
Scrubs are basically face cleansers on steroids. They contain small, mildly abrasive particles that work to slough off dead skin as you wash, providing a more thorough, deeper cleansing. So why exfoliate with a scrub if it happens every time you shave? Well, when you shave you’re getting rid of hair and dead skin on the bearded area of your face. Exfoliation needs to happen on the ENTIRE face, including the upper cheeks, nose and forehead -areas you wouldn’t shave unless you were part werewolf. If you’re a frequent shaver (at least 5 days a week), I wouldn’t suggest using a scrub on the parts of your face where you shave. It wont need it. But other areas of your face (except the fragile eye area) need exfoliation.
If you shave less frequently (three times per week or less), using a scrub to exfoliate your skin is definitely recommended. As scrubs unclog pores and sweep away old skin, they are an effective way to prevent ingrown hairs. However, you don’t want to overuse face scrubs. Excessive exfoliation can cause skin irritation for frequent shavers or guys with moderate to severe acne.
HOW AND WHEN TO SCRUB.
Remember, on days when you exfoliate, swap out your everyday face cleanser for your scrub.
- If you shave often (5 days a week or more), use a face scrub in place of your daily face wash once or twice weekly, on a day when you’re not shaving. Focus on your nose and forehead areas.
- If you shave less than three days a week, I recommend using a scrub on the days you do shave. As I mentioned earlier, washing with a scrub prepares your face for a better shaving experience. How? By softening your beard. The scrubbing particles remove the dead skin and oil that accumulate at the roots of your facial hair. With the debris removed, there’s less drag on the razor as it runs across your beard. What you’ll get is a closer, less irritating shave.
Since you use a scrub the same way you do any other face wash, the same rules apply:
- Wet your face with WARM water. Not hot. Not cold. Comfortably warm.
- Apply your scrub gently, in slow circular motions. Focus the scrubbing action on the beard area of your face, your forehead, nose and neck.
- DO NOT USE YOUR SCRUB AROUND YOUR EYE AREA! The particles can get in your eyes. Also, the skin around your eyes is fragile and doesn’t take kindly to any kind of rubbing or abrasion.
- Dry your face with a clean towel if you’re not shaving. Leave your face wet and apply shaving cream if you’re going to shave.
- Make sure you follow your scrub/shave with a soothing non-comedogenic moisturizer to hydrate your skin.
Though most scrubs contain gentle synthetic particles or hydrogenated waxes to sweep away dead skin, all scrubs are not created equal. You want a soothing, softening scrub that isn’t too abrasive or gritty. You don’t want to feel like you’re polishing your face with sandpaper, you know what I mean? Below are a list of scrubs worth considering, based on skin type.
**If you have severe acne, I don’t recommend using a scrub more than once or twice a week as it can irritate break outs. ProActiv’s cleanser is technically a scrub, but it’s medicated to combat acne with bacteria killing particles. So if you have acne and are using ProActiv, you don’t need to use a scrub at all.
SCRUBS FOR DRY & SENSITIVE SKIN
- Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser. With exfoliating microbeads this product is gentle enough to use daily if you have normal to oily skin, but I recommend using it only 2-3 days per week or when you shave if you have dry or sensitive skin.
- Nivea For Men Energizing Face Scrub. It does contain some fragrance but overall this is an effective hydrating face scrub for dry skin.
SCRUBS FOR NORMAL TO OILY SKIN
- Olay Smooth Skin Exfoliating Scrub. Again, there’s fragrance in this product. It seems most scrubs available at drugstores, supermarkets, and discount stores have fragrances and artificial colors in them. If that doesn’t bother you, this is a great scrub for normal to oily prone skin.
- Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser. This scrub-like cleanser is great for normal to oily skin as well.
SCRUBS FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
- Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub. With microbeads, salacylic acid and glycolic acid, this scrub is gentle and effective on acne prone skin. It contains soothing ingredients that minimize skin irritation
- ProActiv Renewing Cleanser. This is a cleanser and scrub combined. With acne fighting medication and micro-particles to get rid of dead skin cells it’s a good choice for stubborn acne prone skin. You have to order this online or by phone as it’s not available in stores.
