Exfoliating is a wonderful thing. A good scrubbing session can leave your skin satin-like soft and glowing for days and as an added bonus, help the ingredients in your products be better absorbed.
It’s such an important ritual that our bodies are designed to do it naturally. We are constantly making new skin cells and getting rid of old ones; in fact the numbers are around 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells every day. The skin you see now will be gone in a moon cycle, that is less than a month. Fascinating!
But when you combine natural with on-demand exfoliating from products such as scrubs, masks and some toners, it’s very possible to overdo it. And here’s the surprising thing: you might be over-exfoliating your face right now and not even realise it. That’s because dryness and flaky skin are not the only signs of too much rubbing.
Here are five signs of over-exfoliation and how to strike the right balance to keep your skin super smooth — and happy.
1.You look like you got a sunburn Redness and puffiness are inflammatory responses, signalling that your skin is in distress. When you strip your complexion’s top layer too much, your immune system kicks in and sends cells to repair the area of injury,”Blood flow is increased to help carry these inflammatory cells to the needed areas. The result: a swollen and blotchy face.
2.You have a "crumbled paper" skin Not sure why your face feels like a wrinkled tissue paper? Here's the answer: when too much of the protective layer of dead skin cells is removed, our bodies cannot help our skin to retain water as well; causing that crinkly and dehydrated effect.
3.Everything you apply tingles If the go-to products you normally apply suddenly start to sting, pause right there. Part of your protective layer of skin has been removed, your skin may be more sensitive to the environmental elements, allergens and irritants. Not to mention that some ingredients you may find in some scrubs, creams and other cosmetics may also be acting as irritants for your skin. Being informed about ingredients will help you to make better choices and bring back the expected balance to your skin . Find more info here: A guide to make a good choice on cosmetics
4.You’re breaking out all the time Wearing away and disrupting that outer protective barrier that helps to seal in moisture may confuse your skin. For people with oily skin, their bodies response to an excess of exfoliation may be sensed like a dry skin and send signals to up-regulate oil production, making skin oilier than before and more prone to breakouts. Weakening this defensive barrier can also let in blemish-causing bacteria. Not good. This is why I recommend the Alchemic Night Routine and using oil-free products at night time. The oil-free approach for night-time skin care respects the skin's inherent wisdom. Oil-based night creams do not allow the skin to "breathe" and can inhibit the skin's natural functions when it is most active. Buy Aqua Serum Elixir by Clicking here
5.Your face is too shiny Over-exfoliating can lead to skin that is essentially “too smooth,” (yes, there is such a thing). All of this can make your skin appear ultra-reflective or like it’s greasy when it’s actually not.
In conclusion: Stick to exfoliating once a week or a month, depending on your skin type, and consider switching 100% natural and gentle scrubs. Check out our DIY recipes in our blog to get inspired; you just need ingredients you will easily find on your pantry.
You can also start using the new generation of cleansing products; mild with your skin yet effective reaching a deep regeneration of the cells like our Floral Cleanser safe to be used everyday.
And apply a face mask only once or twice a week for a radiant look like our Radiance Mask made only with Australian clays, rose petals and a pinch of Spanish Alchemy magic!
Glow Naturally!
Love, Sonia x