While you may notice that your skin looks a little less luminous as the temperatures begin to drop, have you ever stopped to wonder why this little skin-care issue actually happens? According to Dendy Engelman, MD, dermatologist and Director of Dermatologic Surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, as we move into winter, there is less moisture in the air. As a result, the low humidity levels degrade the skin's natural moisture barrier, which can lead to flaking, cracking and peeling. To combat this moisture loss and build-up of dead skin cells, skin needs extra moisture, as well as extra exfoliation to allow that extra moisture to actually sink in.
Wondering how exfoliating can help care for dry skin in the winter? Engelman points out that exfoliation not only makes the skin look more radiant and smooth, but it also helps moisture penetrate more effectively. When dead, flaky skin cells pile on top of the skin's surface, the skin barrier is compromised and the skin cannot effectively lock moisture in. Regular exfoliation will reveal younger, healthier cells that can properly accept and hold moisture. But that leads us to our next question: What type of regular exfoliation is best?
There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliation involves scrubbing skin with an abrasive product like microfiber cloths, beads, brush, sugar, salt, etc.; chemical exfoliation involves the use of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, alpha hydroxyl acids, beta hydroxyl acids or enzymes that loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing water to wash them away. Deciding which method is best comes down to your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to veer away from chemical exfoliators, while oily skin can benefit most from chemical exfoliators.
To help you navigate the world of exfoliators, we've made things a bit easier for you by hand-selecting some of the industry's most gentle exfoliators so that no matter your skin type, you can kiss winter's dry skin goodbye.
With this high-tech chemical exfoliant gel night serum, you'll be able to take your beauty sleep to the next level. Simply smooth the night serum into your skin to gently lift dead skin cells away from the surface of your skin to reveal a smoother and more radiant complexion come morning.
So, you love cats? Then you'll love this kitty themed complexion-perfector. Created to renew and awaken your skin with five simple ingredients, this fine-grain scrub gently cleanses and exfoliates skin to remove any and all makeup, dirt and impurities to reveal fresh, radiant skin.
Your face isn't the only part of your body that needs exfoliating. To give your body a whole bunch of buffing love, rub one of these good-enough-to-eat sugar cubes across your skin to gently massage away rough patches while pampering skin.
Sometimes there's no time to scrub and rinse dead, dry skin away. It's those times that a travel-friendly exfoliating product (AKA this one from First Aid Beauty) comes in pretty handy. Designed with just enough lactic and glycolic acid to safely and effectively exfoliate dry skin, these pads also tone and brighten all skin types, while being gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
