We all want to look our best and using a facial scrub as part of our skin care regime plays a vital role in promoting healthy looking and radiant skin. Unfortunately, a lot of guys often overlook this process. Today I am going to explain what exfoliation is and why it should be included as an essential part of your manly grooming routine. Let’s get to it…
What is Exfoliation?
New skin cells are generated in the skins lower layer. Overtime these cells rise to the skins surface and gradually die. This process causes your skin to become uneven, giving it a dry and flaky appearance. Exfoliation is the removal of these dead skin cells using a face scrub, or an exfoliator as its sometimes called. Doing so reveals younger, fresher skin. But why is this important? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of exfoliation.
Why You Should Exfoliate
We should exfoliate simply because it’s beneficial for our skin. By exfoliating your skin every other day, your overall skin appearance will improve overtime. Here’s why…
Removes dirt and grime. Grime and sweat will build up during the day as your skin is exposed to the elements meaning your skin will need a deeper clean, something that a normal face wash can’t achieve. Using a face scrub will leave your skin super-clean and ready for your moisturizer.
Prevents spots, blemishes and blackheads. One of the biggest causes of spot prone skin is the excess build-up of sebum (natural oil of the skin). This causes clogged pores leading to spots, blemishes and blackheads. Exfoliating helps unclog the pores leaving you with clear, spot-free skin.
Flake-free skin. Flaky bits of skin on your face is not only unsightly, it’s also very annoying and difficult to control. Most guys will keep applying moisturizer, hoping that it will eventually go away. But the correct way to get rid of flaky skin is to exfoliate. Using a face scrub will gently rub the top layer of flaky skin away, revealing a fresh complexion that will likely stay flake free once moisturizer is applied.
Improves your shave. Exfoliating is an essential pre-shave treatment if you want the perfect shave. Not only does it clean your face before shaving, a face scrub will remove dead skin cells that would clutter up your razor resulting in a smoother shave. It also exposes your facial hair cuticle which in turn helps prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Enhances tired, aging skin. Our skin repairs and regenerates every 30 days or so. As we get older, particularly in our thirties the rejuvenation process slows down. Exfoliating will mimic skin regeneration to boost tired, aging skin and make your skin look and feel younger.
How to Exfoliate
Now that you know the benefits of exfoliation, here is a quick step by step guide on how to do it.
1) Clean your face with a quality face wash and rinse with lukewarm water.
2) Rub a small amount of face scrub between your palms and then apply to your face.
3) Gently massage the face scrub in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. There’s no need to scrub too hard – the coarseness of the scrub will do all the work.
4) Rinse clean with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.
5) Apply moisturizer – exfoliating can leave your skin feeling drier than normal.
As mentioned above, you should exfoliate your skin every other day, but this may differ depending on your skin type. For example, oily skin will require regular exfoliation, while sensitive skin will need less. If you’re unsure, experiment with the amount of times per week you exfoliate and see which routine best suits your skin type. Remember that exfoliation is considered deep cleaning, so excessive exfoliation can actually make your skin look and feel worse. I exfoliate no more than three times a week, but for others once or twice a week may be enough.
Recommended Face Scrubs
Below you’ll find some of the best face scrubs available on the market.
- Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub – Luxury
- Clarins Men Exfoliating Cleanser – 2 in 1 multi-task
- Nivea for Men Face Scrub – Budget
- L’Oreal for Men Face Scrub – Affordable
