How often should you exfoliate and what ingredients should you look for when shopping for an exfoliant? Dr. Lily Talakoub, founder and CEO of Derm to Door breaks it down to help you find the best exfoliating products for lips, face and body... and shares expert advice on how to use them.
Check out these pro tips on how to get a clear, smooth face and body without damaging your skin.
Depending on your skin sensitivity and the product you're using, it's generally recommended to exfoliate once a week. Exfoliating too much and too often with harsh products can do more harm than good causing your skin to become more dry and irritated.
Mechanical exfoliation uses a grainy texture or tool to buff away dead skin cells, such as a sugar based scrub, wash cloth, loofah, dry brush or even your razor.
Chemical exfoliation uses the power of results-driven ingredients to slough away dead skin cells, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like Glycolic or Lactic acid or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid.
Dr. Lily prefers chemical exfoliants for the face and recommends saving harsher scrubs for the tougher skin on your body.
For your lips, the SkinKure Lip Scrub is a gentle, sugar based scrub with a minty-fresh scent that leaves your lips feeling moisturized and baby soft.
For acne-prone skin, use a chemical exfoliant like the SkinKure Micropeel Pads which contain Glycolic Acid and salicylic acid which is essential for decreasing acne and oiliness. These pads also have a blend of botanical extracts including licorice, and olive that soothe and clarify the skin leaving a radiant glow.
For normal or oily skin, the SkinKure Glycolic 10% Pads have high potency alpha hydroxy acids and Glycolic Acid that help to unclog pores, exfoliate dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of brown spots and blemish scars. They also contain Witch Hazel, which helps reduce surface oil and refine pore size.
For sensitive and dry skin, it's important to use a gentle exfoliant that won't irritate or dry out the skin. Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Baby Facial AHA + BHA Mask can be used once a week to resurface skin to visibly reveal greater clarity, improved skin texture and tone, and a more youthful-looking appearance.
For body, try the Cane + Austin Miracle Pad 30% for treating and preventing ingrown hairs, thick skin on knees/elbows and to exfoliate to prep for self tanning. Looking for an all over body scrub? Try Drunk Elephant's Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Body Scrub. It gently sweeps away dead skin cells and buffs dry spots as it delivers moisture—all without disrupting your skin barrier or sensitizing.
For getting rid of shaving bumps around the intimate area, we recommend Lady Suite Glow Refiner for Stubborn Intimate Skin. This powerful, yet gentle, treatment spray exfoliates, brightens, clarifies, and evens skin tone (without drying) and contains lactic acid which is a gentler naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid with skin moisturization and exfoliating properties. It's great for sensitive, intimate skin because it's known to be less irritating than Glycolic Acid.
For those pesky red bumps on the back of your arms and legs, known as keratosis pilaris, the SkinKure KP Lotion is a game changer! It sloughs away scaly, dry patches leaving skin smooth and hydrated. Use daily for optimal results.
For men's razor bumps on the neck and large pores, try SkinKure Glycolic 10% Pads daily after cleansing. *Not for sensitive or dry skin.
Still not sure which products are right for your skin? Derm to Door can help! Receive a free virtual diagnosis with our easy to use app: download for iOS, download for Android, that offers skin scan and treatment options (including prescription products from brand names you already love)... all from the comfort of your home at no extra cost. You can also text us at 571-766-8414 or email hello@dermtodoor.com with any questions.
