With the hottest days of summer drawing near and the frigid winter days of dry skin behind us, you may find yourself asking,"should I still be exfoliating during the summer months?" The answer is YES! Your pores can become even more clogged with the warm weather upon us, due to sweat (and makeup if you wear it).
While you still should be keeping up your daily cleansing and exfoliation regimen throughout the hot days of summer, there's a few common misconceptions that could be keeping your routine from working in your favor.
MYTH: "In order to slough away dead skin, you have to use a lot of pressure while using a scrub."
TRUTH: Although it may seem as if scrubbing vigorously at your skin will clear your pores of dirt, grime and other less-than-desirable variables that can get deep in your skin, it actually can be quite harmful! Using too much force while exfoliating can cause some cosmetic damage to your skin, even with less abrasive scrubs. For best results, scrubs should be applied in a circular motion, with light to medium pressure.
MYTH: "I have a great cleanser, exfoliating isn't necessary."
TRUTH: While it may not seem like something that you should be doing regularly, the benefits of scrubs are so vast it makes no sense NOT to! Your body (and face!) need regular exfoliation to clear your pores and preserve its sheen, and it even has benefits such as releasing those unwanted ingrown hairs. Strive to book spa sessions for scrubs 1-2 times a month and maintain at home as well.
Do be cautious of over-scrubbing, as it can cause damage to the skin. In an interview with dailymail.co.uk, Beverly Hills celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer recommends (in case you ever wondered how celebs such as Kim Kardashian, Ellen and Beyonce have such flawless skin), scrubbing daily will allow your skin to absorb the ingredients in your daily moisturizer more efficiently than without.
"Exfoliation creates a 'controlled injury'," he says. "gentle exfoliation sends a message to the dermis that repair should begin and fresh cells are needed, expediting the turnover of cells in your epidermis." He then recommends cleansing followed by a moisturizer to efficiently nourish the skin.
And hey, ladies! That goes for self-tanning lotion as well! A good body scrub prior to application will ensure that your self-tanner will last longer. Because who DOESN'T want to be a bronzed goddess on the beach this summer?!
MYTH: "The more abrasive the scrub, the more it exfoliates."
TRUTH: One of the worst things you can do for your skin is use a scrub containing large, hard and sand-like rocks. In an interview with New York Magazine, founder of Paula's Choice, Paula Begoun says "When you scrub skin with abrasive scrubs, they put micro-tears in to skin. They make your skin more vulnerable to environmental damage, pollution and sun damage."
Long term effects of using an overly abrasive scrub can include redness and swelling, and can cause skin to age at a more rapid rate! Instead, always opt for a scrub with smaller granules, such as sugar, salt or coffee to avoid any damage to your skin.
While there are a number of toners, lotions, moisturizers and serums to keep your skin glowing and youthful, unless you are exfoliating regularly, you won't see any drastic results! So go on, girl, get your skin summer ready! Treat yourself to a body scrub today!