Today's Q & A clears up some myths about how, when and why to exfoliate your face

Q: Why exfoliate? A: Your skin has five layers to it, and the newest skin cells are at the base of that. As the cells mature, they travel from the base layer of the epidermis to the outermost layer. At that point, they form the stratum corneum, which is the tough surface skin layer. Once they make it to that outer layer, those skin cells are dead—they lose their nucleus and flatten out to form a shingle-like layer of protection. Exfoliating these dead cells away reveals the nice new healthier, younger skin cells below 👍🏼

Q: Can you over exfoliate? A: Yes! Going overboard on exfoliation can leave you with dry skin and cause more issues like acne or dermatitis, to appear. In other cases, exfoliating can just be too harsh for some people's skin and cause irritation and redness.

Q: What types of exfoliant products are there around? A: There are 2 types - Physical and Chemical. Any skin type can use either of these types of exfoliators, although for acne-prone skins I recommend the chemical type only. Physical types include face scrubs which many of us are familiar with, whilst chemical products have active ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy acids in them, which are a bit more effective.

Q: How often should I exfoliate? A: Every day is too much, 3 times weekly is perfect. For those with acne, they should use an AHA / BHA wash on alternate days. Always use a sunscreen if you are exfoliating your skin regularly and if you experience redness / burning on your skin, rest for a few days and come back to it, or use a milder, natural product. Include your neck and décolletage and always use a light touch - no dragging please!

If you have a skin or skincare question please drop me an email, or comment below, I'd love to help:

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