Exfoliating sensitive skin: 4 golden rules to keep in mind

Exfoliating is an important skincare step for anyone who wants to clean out their pores, soften the skin and reduce acne marks… It can be said to be the key to bright skin. However, with "hard-to-please" sensitive skin, exfoliating is not at all easy because the skin is prone to irritation, redness, breakouts or even worse. Therefore, to minimize the situations above, make sure you have memorized the following 4 rules for choosing an exfoliant for sensitive skin before picking up any exfoliating product on the shelf.

How to tell whether your skin is sensitive?

Below are the most easily noticeable symptoms of sensitive skin:

Sensitive skin has a rather thin texture; you can easily see the blood vessels beneath the skin.

The skin often feels slightly tight, itchy, hot and uncomfortable.

The skin becomes swollen, scaly, rough and less smooth. Sometimes touching the skin feels stinging and sore.

The skin is easily irritated when the weather changes. Specifically, the skin becomes dry and tight and flakes in winter, and produces a lot of oil in summer.

When in contact with skincare products containing ingredients such as fragrances, preservatives and alcohol… the skin easily stings and burns, and may even break out in a rash and redness lasting from a few hours to a few days.

In particular, when the skin is exposed a lot to dust, pollution, sunlight and UV rays, the sensitive skin condition becomes more severe.

Should you exfoliate sensitive skin?

Many people think that exfoliation should not be applied to sensitive skin because it can cause stinging, thinning and make the skin more fragile and prone to irritation. However, this is a completely mistaken view in the skincare routine, one that leaves the skin not only unimproved but even weaker, with premature aging setting in quickly as well.

Regular exfoliation not only helps remove dead skin but also brings countless benefits to your skin. Still doubtful? Below are the standout benefits of exfoliation:

Making your skincare process more effective: Exfoliation supports cell regeneration and removes dead skin cells, thereby allowing skincare products such as serums and creams to penetrate deep into the skin instead of just sitting on the surface.

Improving your skin texture: Removing dead skin and impurities helps the skin become softer and smoother.

Brightening and evening skin tone: Exfoliation instantly brightens your skin, giving it a thorough "polish" and a fresh, healthy look.

Cleansing clogged skin: Removing excess oil, dead skin cells, dirt, makeup residue and accumulated bacteria helps unclog pores and effectively prevent acne.

Creating a smoother makeup base: By smoothing the skin's texture and removing dry patches, exfoliation acts as a primer for better makeup application.

Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank – dermatologist, medical director and founder of the PFRANKMD brand – says, "Every skin type can benefit from an exfoliating product; the important thing is to understand your skin type and not use products that are too harsh, especially if you have sensitive skin."

As you can see, exfoliating sensitive skin is just as important and necessary as it is for any other skin type. It not only helps address existing skin conditions but also "regenerates" radiant, freshly renewed skin instantly.

Especially during today's hot, humid summer months, when oil and sweat are produced excessively, exfoliation is a crucial step to minimize clogged pores.

4 golden rules to keep in mind when exfoliating sensitive skin

As shared above, exfoliation is an essential part of any skincare routine. But for those with sensitive skin, it can be hard to find products that don't irritate the skin.

Sensitive skin has special needs and must always be approached with a gentle, non-irritating method. If you are still struggling in your search for your "true love" exfoliant, refer to the most reliable guide to choosing products for sensitive skin below:

More is not always better

There is no magic number for how often you should exfoliate, but it is best to start with once a week if you have sensitive skin (stop using it and consult a dermatologist if you experience an adverse or unwanted reaction).

There is no need to rush into intense focus. What matters more is being consistent in your usage and going slowly to avoid over-irritation. In addition, you should monitor your skin's reaction, after which you can decide whether or not to increase the frequency of exfoliation.

Choose the type of exfoliant suited to your skin condition

There are two different types of exfoliants: physical and chemical.

Physical exfoliants use abrasives such as sugar, salt granules, coffee grounds, oats… to slough away dead skin

Chemical exfoliants contain Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) or Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that gently dissolve buildup to reveal brighter, smoother skin.

For sensitive skin, it is best to use a gentle chemical exfoliant, because physical exfoliants can be too abrasive and tend to cause redness and irritation.

Although chemical exfoliation is the best approach, you should still pay attention to the type and concentration of the ingredients. Start with a PHA or AHA such as glycolic, lactic or mandelic acid at a low concentration, as these are the gentlest kinds.

You should also look for products with balancing and soothing ingredients in the formula to help prevent irritation, such as Chamomile, Sea Whip extract, Azulene and White Tea.

Know what to avoid

Those with sensitive skin should avoid products formulated with foaming Sulfates, alcohol, preservatives, synthetic dyes, mineral oil and artificial fragrance (sometimes listed as fragrance/parfum), as these can cause dryness and irritation.

Take thorough care of your skin after exfoliating

After you have removed all the dead skin clogging your face, it's time to take care of your skin.

No matter how soft and hydrated your exfoliant makes your skin, you still always need to apply a moisturizer on top. With sensitive skin, you need to make sure you always keep the skin hydrated because your skin is very prone to dryness

Conclusion

The above is information on exfoliating sensitive skin. We hope that through this article, you will soon find a product you love so you don't miss out on the wonderful benefits of exfoliation.