Exfoliating is ageing your skin!

This post is about what you should do instead!

Firstly, exfoliation is an outdated term. There are many studies that show our skin is perfectly capable of shedding and renewing itself without your intervention. This renewal process is called ‘desquamation’ and, in recent years, we have come to understand much more about how our skin desquamates, and what it needs to do so effectively. 

HINT: It doesn’t involve scrubbing, scraping or burning it off! 

If your skin looks a little lacklustre, or you notice dry patches, bumps or the surface looking thick and uneven, you may have a ‘cornification disorder’. Sounds terrible, right?

It is at this point many of us reach for the exfoliating acids, also known as AHAs BHAs or PHAs. 

Now, let’s be clear. I am NOT against using these acids, but there is a right time and place – or the right type of skin, if you will. These days these acids seem to be in everything from cleanser to toners, moisturisers, serums and masks, all boasting their acid content, to the point you can easily think that you can’t possibly do without them!

But let me reassure you, you don’t need them!

However, if you’re currently using an acid exfoliant and you’re seeing the results you want AND your skin is happy, there’s no need to change what you’re doing. I just want you to bear in mind that just because your skin is tolerant of them now, it doesn’t mean it will always be. Allergies and reactions are just that – a response that you aren’t expecting, and they can be sudden and unpleasant, however long you’ve been exposed to something without an issue.

For everyone else – it’s time to try an enzyme! 

Enzymes occur naturally in our bodies. They facilitate chemical reactions that include breaking down food, building muscle, destroying toxins and, of course, they help us shed our skin. 

Enzymes, when applied topically to help aid desquamation, are gentle, effective and safe for most skins. Furthermore, as long as they are well-formulated, they will not compromise your skin barrier or upset your skin’s microbiome.The most common enzymes found in skin care products are papaya and pineapple, both of which areproteolytic keratinases (what a fancy name for fruit!) It means they digest excess skin cells and oils that have become stuck. Do I have a favourite enzyme product? Of course I do! 
The Dermaviduals Enzyme Skin Renewal mask is not only packed with skin smoothing enzymes, but it has a wonderful formulation I love.The creamy bentonite and kaolin clay mask is anti-inflammatory, soothing, AND it costs way less than most acid products!  

It’s super-versatile too: use a little on a single breakout as a spot treatment to instantly calm redness and inflammation, or use more as a face mask (see selfie above) for the full smoothing, brightening experience!