Exfoliation is a process that removes dead skin cells from the upper layer of the skin, revealing the healthy skin underneath. Regular exfoliation, which can be beneficial to many areas of your body, including your face, arms, legs and feet, can help keep skin looking fresh, removing any dry patches or flakiness.
Exfoliation can be achieved one of two ways, physical or chemical. Physical exfoliation may be more familiar to you -- such as a body wash infused with scrubbing beads, body scrubs, a washcloth or a loofah. Physical exfoliants work to remove dead skin cells via friction. So, there's a combined effort between the product you choose and a little elbow grease -- your scrubbing action. Chemical exfoliation is different from physical exfoliation in that it involves a chemical substance, not friction, to handle the job at hand.
While regular skin cleansing is clearly beneficial, exfoliating on a regular basis -- once or twice a week for mild exfoliation, once or twice a month for more intense treatments -- can improve the results of your skin care routine and help rejuvenate your skin. Whether you have dry, normal, oily or sensitive skin, exfoliation can bring new life to your complexion.