Another topic I have received plenty of questions over is Exfoliating... So enjoy 😃!

Firstly. Do you really need to exfoliate??

This topic is highly debated, and it seriously depends on who you talk to, but in my opinion, YES. It is one of the best things you can do for your skin (and it feels amazing). BUT, there is a right way to do it and there IS such thing as too much of a good thing!

Why exfoliate??

Regular exfoliation helps to keep the skin looking fresh, soft and glowing by removing dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria build-up from the surface and can be done using chemicals (not all chemicals are bad guys) or by using something gentle but slightly abrasive. It also promotes healthy circulation to stimulate collagen production and assist with new cell growth.

Removing built-up debris can also can help minimise blackheads (our Oil Cleanser is also AMAZING for this… see our blog post about blackheads HERE) and increase product absorption because if your pores are all clogged up then the delicious, nutritious, healing skin products you apply every day struggle to truly penetrate the skins surface efficiently… and I don’t know about you, but when I pay good money for something, I want to get the MOST out of it!

 

How often & when should I exfoliate?

As the skin on our face is more delicate than other areas of our body, it is generally recommended to exfoliate your face 1-2 times per week. However, if you have sensitive or inflamed skin, once a week may be enough, or you may find simply using our Oil Cleanser with a warm face washer enough as over-exfoliating may lead to redness, dryness, inflammation & more skin concerns. Like many things, less is often more. You don't come with a custom instruction manual, so you simply let your skin guide you.

We like to exfoliate at night time, that way we can let our skin soak up all the delicious BARE Rosewater & preferred Facial Serums, whilst avoiding heavy sun exposure and make-up.

It is important to note that EVERYONE is DIFFERENT. What may be best for me or you, may not be best for someone else.

 

Ok, so the skin of our face is delicate, so what should I use?

As the skin of the face is very delicate, it is ESSENTIAL that you use the right ingredients to exfoliate and don’t be overzealous – moderation is key (FYI - For the purpose of this blog, I will not be covering chemical exfoliants).

When it comes to choosing your exfoliator ingredient of choice the possibilities are endless; from kaolin clay, fine pink salt, coconut sugar & oats, to turmeric, charcoal, cacao powder… just ensure that whatever ingredient you choose, you mix it with some form of liquid to create a gentle mix and use soft, circular motions to rub the mixture on your face.

I have 3 favourite ways that I exfoliate my face that I would love to share with you all, because if I love it, surely someone else will too right!?! Haha

1. Because I have sensitive skin, I love to simply just use our BARE Facial Cleansing Oil with a warm washcloth in the shower (I use the double cleansing method if I am wearing make-up). This is super gentle and is a key part of my daily skin ritual & my skin feels so smooth & refreshed after this.
2. Every Wednesday night I have a little ‘self-care’ routine that incorporates using one of our two Face Masks; Red Velvet or Green Gypsy. I love to put this on clean, make-up free skin (I try to have a make-up free day once a week) before I have a shower. Once it is dry, I put a small amount of water on my fingers and gently rub the dry mask into my skin in circular motions then rinse off in the shower.
3. Despite having sensitive skin, sometimes I just need a little something extra to exfoliate my face. I have tried so many different products and found them to be either too harsh or just not suitable for my skin, so I decided to DIY it. I do this by mixing a small amount of either ground oats or fine pink salt (they are my 2 faves) in with our Facial Cleanser and simply rub that on my face in gentle circular motions and then rinse off.

These have come to be my perfect solutions for exfoliating and the reason why we don’t have a dedicated facial exfoliant…because everyone is different and why spend more money when it’s not required! 

 

So I’ve exfoliated my skin, now what??

As exfoliating (particularly when using abrasive substances & not so much using the Oil Cleanser with a washcloth) does disrupt the skin barrier it is important that you give your skin a little extra TLC, protecting it from the elements. Due to this, we also suggest staying out of the sun after exfoliating as it has the potential to aggravate your skin.

TLC starts by ensuring you hydrate your skin both from the inside & the outside by drinking filtered & re-mineralised water and using a hydrating facial mist such as our Rose Water. Following this, we advocate using one of our Facial Serums to nourish your skin, seal in the hydration & provide a protective barrier from the external environment. (You can check which BARE facial oil suits your skin type HERE).

And if you are wanting to create your own home spa feeling and are after some extra TLC, put on your diffuser with your chosen essential oils, brew a delicious cup of tea (you can try my BARE Organic Herbal Tea range here) and soak up all the goodness whilst using a Rose Quartz facial roller or clean fingers to massage your favourite BARE Facial Serum in. This is also an excellent way to allow the oils to penetrate & soothe the skin.

 

 

Whilst this post is dedicated to facial exfoliation, I thought I would add a little something about body exfoliating...

Essentially, the same principles apply. A couple of times per week should suffice, however as mentioned earlier, everyone is different, and it depends on the area you are exfoliating. Let your skin guide you. Often less is more. Use gentle ingredients, ensure you give your skin some TLC and avoid heavy sun exposure afterwards.

 

I personally love to use our Lime & Coconut Body Scrub once or twice a week. It reminds me of summer! So fresh! 😃

 

I hope you got plenty of tips and tricks from this blog now! Feel free to brows our full range here, let me know if you have any questions.

Love Candice Bauer x