Natural skincare: exfoliation

Natural skincare exfoliation methods have been around for centuries. Different cultures have used their own natural skincare secrets, such as minerals, clays, plants and acids, to achieve smooth, radiant skin. In recent times, methods including dermabrasion and chemical peels have also become popular.

Gentle and regular exfoliation is very helpful for anti-ageing. It can also be beneficial for skin suffering pigmentation, scarring and uneven tone; for oily skin; for lined and wrinkled skin; and for the prevention and removal of blackheads as well as acne. Adopting natural skincare exfoliation is a gentle way to help your skin feel radiant, smooth and youthful.

Exfoliation and anti-ageing
A cell is born at the basal or germinative cell layer of the epidermis and begins its journey upward to the outermost layer of the skin until it is shed. The longer it takes for the cells to reach the surface, the older and flatter they are when they get there. This is one reason older skin loses its radiance. By stimulating the skin through exfoliation, you help emerging cells get to their destination faster, at the same time stimulating the production of new cells.

Exfoliation is a great tool for anti-ageing, but it’s important to take it easy. A natural skincare program that integrates exfoliation should be gentle. Regular and excessive exfoliation can cause a deeper inflammation and trigger damaging free-radical activity.

The skin renewal process and your natural skincare regime can be assisted with a good, balanced diet with lots of organic fruits and vegetables, lean protein such as fish, chicken and turkey, legumes, beans and nuts, alongside regular exercise. A balanced diet can also assist with anti-ageing and the skin renewal process by helping normalise keratinisation and improving the skin’s health and appearance.

Natural skincare and methods of exfoliation
A natural skincare exfoliation program offers a gentle way to achieve smooth, radiant and youthful skin.

Regenerative ingredients
Adopting natural skincare offers a gentle way to regenerate the skin. There is a plethora of plants that can aid with natural skincare by offering regenerative and wound-healing benefits. Essential oils from plants are made of tiny molecules easily absorbed in the deeper layers of the skin where they can provide profound rejuvenation by stimulating cell turnover and also help normalise the keratinisation process. Oils commonly used for natural skincare include rose absolute and otto, everlasting, carrot seed, lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, calendula, chamomile and rosewood.

Clays
Many are also recognising the benefits of clays for natural skincare. Clays help to heal, refine, draw toxins from the skin and smooth the complexion. Weekly masks make impressive skin-rejuvenating treatments and can easily form part of your natural skincare routine.

Green peel
Another natural skincare option is green peel. Green peel is a natural plant- and herb-based peel that increases blood flow to the skin and deeply exfoliates it. The peeling action is done by the micro particles in the herbs themselves. These particles gently polish the skin’s upper layer, or epidermis, while other active ingredients penetrate the deeper layers.

Mechanical and chemical exfoliants
Mechanical exfoliants help eliminate surface stratum corneum cells by the use of a tool to physically exfoliate the skin. Chemical exfoliation utilises chemicals such as alpha hydroxy acids (including malic acid found in apples, tartaric acid in red wine and tomato, citric acid in citrus, lactic in milk and yoghurt). AHAs help normalise cell turnover in the epidermis and have the added bonus of improving moisture within the layers of the skin.