Exfolliation Flashcards
What are the benefits of exfoliation?
Weekly exfoliation helps to soften and balance the skin as well as promote blood circulation and lymphatic flow.
What skin types benefit from exfoliation?
dry skin, oily skin, blackheads, acne, sun-damaged skin, flaky skin (not caused by a skin disease or skin disorder), or a rough surface texture, those problems are best handled by products that exfoliate and help dead skin cells slough off from the surface of the skin.
What does exfoliation do?
remove dead skin cells, while also clearing out and reshaping the lining of thickened or misshapen pores
What are some problems with commercially available exfoliators?
Many commercial cosmetic products use microplastic beads for exfoliation, as well as synthetic and chemical preservatives that can be detrimental to your health,
What is micro plastic?
In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the negative effects to aquatic life from microplastics and microbeads in commercial cosmetic products. According to the National Ocean Service (NOS), “Microbeads, a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants to health and beauty products, such as some cleansers and toothpastes. These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean … posing a potential threat to aquatic life” (NOS, 2018, para. 3). Although products containing microbeads have been in production for at least 50 years, the study of their effect on marine life is ongoing. The primary concern with microplastics in the environment is their impact on the food chain, from filter feeders (Moore, 2008; Thompson et al., 2004) all the way up to fish, birds, and marine mammals (Eriksson & Burton, 2003). Fortunately, microbeads have been banned for use in wash-off cosmetic products since 2015 (NOS, 2018), but the presence of microplastics in the environment is still an ongoing concern.
What are some common exfoliants
sugar salt oats seeds nuts resins bamboo beads shredded loofa powdered herbs
sugar
Sugar granules are rounder than salt granules, making them gentler and safer for use on the face and for people with sensitive skin; sugar also contains natural acids that help to remove dead skin cells.
Salt
Salt granules are more angular and abrasive than sugar granules, making them a great choice for removing thicker areas of dead skin on the feet, knuckles, elbows, and legs, and helping to prevent the development of ingrown hairs.
How to make a basic scrub?
1 part oil to two parts exfoliant. The oil provides an emoliant for the exfoliant to slide on.
What are acid exfoliants?
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) These chemical exfoliants work by helping to break down the proteins in skin cells of the stratum corneum, allowing them to be more easily sloughed away.
What are organic or natural sources of AHA’s and BHA’s
Acid exfoliants are sometimes derived from natural fruit sugars—AHAs may come from sugar cane (glycolic acid), milk (lactic acid), or grape and citrus (malic, citric, and tartaric acids). The most common BHA, salicylic acid, is found in many plants, including willow (Salix spp.) bark.
What are the difference between cleansers and skin peels?
Lower concentrations of fruit acids or enzymes are typically marketed as cleansers and exfoliants, while products with high concentrations of these acids are sold as skin peels.
What are the biggest concerns with using acid exfoliants?
The biggest health concern with acid exfoliants, especially when used in high concentration, is the potential to irritate the skin and, in particular, to increase the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which may also increase the risk of skin cancer. For that reason, skin peels should only be applied by a trained professional, and the skin must be protected from sun and other UV exposure after these treatments.
How to make a chemical exfoliant?
Combining dry exfoliating ingredients with citrus juice or peel (citric acid), goat or cow milk or yogurt (lactic acid), grape juice (tartaric acid), apple juice or apple cider vinegar (malic acid), or willow (Salix spp.) bark tea (salicylic acid) will help slough off dead skin cells gently and effectively. Sugar cane contains glycolic acid, which makes sugar a double hitter, working as both a physical and chemical exfoliant!
Sensitive skin
Using these chemical exfoliants on their own, without the addition of physical exfoliants, may be the best choice for people with sensitive skin, which can be irritated by scrubbing exfoliants. Those with sensitive skin should limit natural acid treatments to once a week, and all skin types should use sun protection after any acid exfoliant treatment.
if using an exfoliant then use sugar
