It is important to exfoliate. Why? Fresh skin cells are produced in the skin’s deepest layer and take approximately 28 days to make it to the surface of the skin before falling off as dead skin. Unfortunately, as you get older, this process takes longer and so you need to exfoliate in order to see fresh, new younger skin. There are two different types of exfoliation: manual and chemical.
Manual Exfoliation
Manual or physical exfoliating is the rubbing or scrubbing of the skin. This can be through the use of a product or a tool such as a brush or a facecloth. There are a number of benefits to manual exfoliation, which works on the uppermost layers of skin, primarily that it is effective at increasing the natural exfoliation rate resulting in soft, smooth, and healthy skin, that the results are immediate, that it tends to easily integrate into the balance of your skin routine and it stimulates facial muscles which can help with lymphatic drainage.
Chemical Exfoliation
A chemical exfoliant will use different types of chemicals to gently dissolve away dead skin cells and debris in a uniform fashion. Essentially, chemical exfoliants take off the top layers of the skin by weakening the lipids that bond skin cells together. Generally, a chemical exfoliant will contain either AHA’s (say, Glycolic Acid or Latic Acid) or BHA’s (say, Beta Hydroxy or Salicylic Acid). The difference between them is that AHAs work on the skin’s surface, and are water soluble whereas BHA’s works on the skin’s surface and inside the pore and are oil soluble.
Too much of a good thing?
Please be aware that with exfoliation you can have too much of a good thing: over exfoliation can damage the skin barrier function (have a look at our blog post “It’s All About the Skin Barrier”) and undermine all your good work. It will all depend on what type of skin you have. Those with hardy, oily skin may be able to tolerate exfoliation as part of their daily skincare whereas those with dry or sensitive skin may even find even weekly exfoliation too harsh.
At Velettà, we are fans of both manual and chemical exfoliation. We are currently working on a plant-based Latic Acid treatment to augment the Velettà range and to supplement our manual exfoliant, the Purifying Mask. Like all our products, they will be made in New Zealand and will be vegan, cruelty-free and 100% natural.
Our Purifying Mask
Velettà’s Purifying Mask is a Halal-certified, luxury dry mask which you make up at home using tap water. Storing the mask in a dry state means the Vitamin C in the mask remains fresh, effective and stable. It is great for problem skin and is very effective at evening skin tone and allowing younger-looking skin to shine through. Exfoliation with our Purifying Mask also allows our Rejuvenating Oil and Nourishing Moisturiser to better penetrate the dermis with their nourishing and hydrating goodness.
How do you use it?
First find a small bowl, a water source and, a teaspoon.
Add about 3 teaspoons of Purifying Mask to the bowl and then mix it together with about a teaspoon of water. When you add the water the mixture will fizz up and thicken.
Don’t add too much water, what you want is a mousse-like consistency. Wait 30 seconds before brushing it onto the face using a clean foundation brush or your fingers.
Once the mixture is almost dry, massage your face very gently using wet hands. Then remove the mask using warm water and use a face cloth to take off the final remnants.
We find it far easier to take the mask off in the shower (but using lukewarm water). It really is the perfect Sunday treat and produces baby-soft, even-toned skin.
Please email us if you have any questions about using the mask. Or have a look at our fantastic video which takes you through the process step-by-step
