Exfoliate or not to exfoliate

Quite often the topic of whether we should exfoliate our face is debated. Okay so should we or not? The answer is yes, however a yes with caution.

Why? Well we don't all have the same skin types and it's normal for any of us to have a period of sensitive skin. The thought of exfoliating our face that's sore and red is the worst idea. Skin that has bad spots may also be a no go.

Know your exfoliants

Exfoliators for the body may contain salt or sugar which are body scrubs — you wouldn't scrub your face with sandpaper. For our delicate face we need a softer and less aggressive product. Pumice powder in our Face Scrub is gentle enough for the face. Other common ingredients include Jojoba wax beads, coffee grounds, and ground almonds.

Salicylic acid is sometimes used in an exfoliator as this is great for spot-prone skin as it's effective for unclogging pores.

Golden rules

Always avoid the delicate eye area — our skin is thinner here. Freshly shaved skin is definitely a no go. I would always use an exfoliator before a shave. Personally, twice or three times a week maximum — any more than that and you're causing your face to become more and more sensitised.

A great tip: before and during your suntan is a good time to exfoliate as it helps your lovely tan stay longer. Do use a great deep absorbing moisturiser though.