If you want to take care of your skin and leave it feeling smooth and healthy, exfoliation is the way to go. Few men have this integral step in their routine but it should be an essential part of every man’s skincare arsenal. Read on to discover why this simple step could make all the difference to your shave.
Why is Exfoliation Important?
The main purpose of exfoliating is to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
Did you know that skin renews itself, on average, every 28 days? Essentially, we have brand new skin every single month. However, the last thing you want is old, dead skin still clinging to your face.
Dead skin leaves your face feeling rough and uneven and gives it a dull complexion. It can also prevent any facial treatments you apply from working as effectively and properly as they can hinder the penetration of active ingredients in serums, moisturisers, or face masks.
The Different Types of Exfoliants
There are two types of exfoliants that you can choose from:
Mechanical scrubs: These are the best-known and most widely used. They are grains you can rub on your face or scalp that dislodge dead skin cells.
These grains can either be coarse or fine and are made from a broad range of ingredients including crushed fruit seeds and pips (such as apricots), salt, sugar, or even coffee grounds (which give the scrub a pleasant scent).
Chemical exfoliants: with this treatment, you don't have to physically scrub at all. This is because they contain acid agents, usually in the form of glycolic or salicylic acid, that break down dead skin cells. However, don’t let that scare you, these exfoliants are often very gentle on the skin.
Which Exfoliant is Right for Me?
It all depends on your skin type.
Oily or Combination Skin
Either exfoliant will do so it’s all about personal preference. However, a chemical exfoliant is gentler on the skin and acts as the ideal exfoliant to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and the excess sebum build-up typically associated with oily skin types.
For those with combination skin, alternate between chemical and mechanical so that the different needs of your skin can be met. As with any exfoliant pay close attention to your skin when using. If it begins to feel irritated, reducing the frequency of exfoliating is advised.
Dry or Sensitive Skin
If you have dry or sensitive skin, or even acne-prone skin, use a chemical exfoliant as the grains used in mechanical scrubs can damage already fragile skin.
The advantage of chemical exfoliant is that they allow you to evenly exfoliate your skin while being easier to rinse off as they are less likely to remain embedded in your beard hair like a mechanical scrub might.
Should You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?
Exfoliating before shaving is always recommended unless you are equipped with the Gillette Labs Razor with Exfoliating Bar - the world’s first razor with exfoliating technology built-in.
Suitable for all skin types, dirt, and debris are easily removed for a close and comfortable shave every time.
Should You Exfoliate Your Beard?
Regardless of how long your beard is, you should still use an exfoliant as there are many benefits to exfoliating your beard:
It Removes Beard Dandruff
When dead skin begins to accumulate underneath your beard, eventually it seeps over into your beard. This leads to beard dandruff. It’s important to exfoliate your beard regularly to get rid of this flaky, white nuisance, for a beard that feels smooth and healthy.
It Helps You Achieve a Stronger, More Resilient Beard
A nourished beard is a strong beard and the process of using a grainy mechanical scrub helps to improve your blood’s circulation, allowing nutrients to reach your beard faster and more efficiently. Exfoliating is integral if you want a beard that’s less brittle and has a healthy-looking shine.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Beard?
I recommend exfoliating your beard once a week and it should form part of your beard care routine.
Discover more about my morning routine, and how it can benefit your grooming regime, here:
