Do Men need to exfoliate?
A QUICK GUIDE TO MEN’S EXFOLIATION
To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? That is the question. Actually, the real question is what the hell is exfoliation? Briefly, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, usually accomplished with a ‘gritty’ type of scrub/tool. While a cleanser is necessary for every day cleansing on the surface, a scrub is typically needed 1-2 times per week and provides super deep cleansing into the pores.
A scrub isn’t necessarily the #1 product in a gent’s cabinet like a face wash or moisturizer, but facial scrubs are incredibly important for those who want to take their skincare game to the next level.
-It’s best to use a scrub 1-2x per week, any more frequent can be rough on the face and cause dry skin.
WHY SHOULD I USE A SCRUB?
There is a myriad of benefits that scrubs offer so here are our top few:
Reason #1: Exfoliating Removes Dead Skin Cells.
New skin is constantly produced on your face and eventually, it dies at the surface. Leaving this dead skin on the surface not only gives off a look of flakiness but also make a mug appear dirty and uneven. Scrubs ensure that any loose dead skin is whisked away and washed down the drain.
Reason #2: Uproots Ingrown Hairs.
Because scrubs dig deeper than cleansers and remove dead skin cells, they are more likely to uproot pesky ingrown hairs. Once the dead skin is sloughed away and hair follicles are cleared, in ingrown hair can be guided to the light.
Reason #3: Exfoliation Cleanses Again.
Over time, skin collects excess dirt, oil and dead cells that a daily cleanser cannot remove. Scrubs reinforce cleansers and remove excess grime and dirt off the skin while penetrating deep into the pores by way of some form of grit.
Reason #4: Spot Stopper & Complexion Clearer.
Sebum is the main cause of skin spots and uneven tones and builds up over time. Using a scrub 1-2 times per week will help rid the face of excess Sebum that can cause dark spots or uneven skin tone.
Reason #5: But wait, there’s more…
There are about 50 other reasons but instead of boring you with them all, we’ll highlight the last few. Properly using a scrub can get you closer shaves by removing the dead skin and grime that clogs razor blades up. It can also slow signs of aging by reducing fine lines and refining skin tone as well as prevent breakouts. Lastly, they help other products (like your moisturizer) work more effectively.
WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXFOLIATION ARE THERE?
There are facial scrubs and body scrubs as well as scrub bars, peels and more. We decided to list some of the best types below and how to use them:
Facial Scrubs:these are facial exfoliators and are typically gritty so that the dead skin cells can be whisked from the face’s surface. Face scrubs range from mild to rough in grittiness so picking the right one can take time. This is the most common form of exfoliation.
Body Scrubs:same thing as a facial scrub but for the body. Many parts of the body are in need of some exfoliation, i.e. feet, elbows, kneecaps… Any areas where skin dries out or gets flakey/oily could use a scrub down every now and again.
Scrub Bars:take a bar of soap, add some grit and VOILA! These are super popular and great for quick body exfoliation. These are the bridge between exfoliating solutions and tools. Tools:these include buffing cloths, electric brushes and even sponges. Each one is designed to exfoliate skin and should not be used too often.