What Is The Best Exfoliator For Mature Skin?

With aging, it becomes challenging to maintain your skin and that youthful glow. Many symptoms might indicate that your skin is aging with you (or sometimes slightly ahead of you). The common characteristics are dehydrated skin, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, dry patches, and overall dullness etc.

While some of these indicators are inevitable, you can still significantly slow down the process, and reduce the signs by keeping your skin fresh and ever-glowing. How? Exfoliators to the rescue!

Not all exfoliation involves scrubbing, particles or pressure. Exfoliators are essential skin care products that remove dead skin cells to keep your skin healthy from deep within the pores all the way to the surface.

Always be careful while choosing your exfoliator. Choose products with your age (extra nutrients and hydration) and skin type in mind. You should also consult a skin specialist or board certified dermatologist before using an exfoliator.

Choosing the best exfoliator is not a back-against-the-wall job. Simple research can help you to choose the best option. Read this article to help better educate yourself and then choose the best exfoliator for your mature skin.

See Related: What Is The Best Face Wash For Oily Skin?

WHY DO YOU NEED AN EXFOLIATOR FOR MATURE SKIN?

Though our body has built-in mechanisms to remove the dead skin cells, as we age, the skin regeneration process needs a little “push” here and there. Why? Because as our skin matures this mechanism (like others in our bodies) begins to slow down, so it needs the help of external agents to help us gently exfoliate and improve our overall skin texture.

If you neglect your skin, and do not use any external agents to shed the dead skin cells, it can start accumulating toxins, dirt, oil and other detritus resulting in dullness on the skin surface. Apart from dullness, accumulation of dead cells can be the cause of other skin issues such as acne.

Also, the absence of exfoliation may lead to blackheads, blocked pores, enlarged pores, etc. So, to eliminate this accumulation and increase cell turnover, and to avoid other skin issues, you need to add the use of a face exfoliator to your daily skincare routine. Exfoliators for mature skin can do wonders when done properly and when you exfoliate regularly.

Following are some of the benefits of face exfoliators for mature skin resulting in a more radiant complexion:

• Clear out dead skin cells – The primary aim of exfoliators is to use the dead skin cells and make the skin healthy. Also, it reveals new skin and makes your skin bright and smooth.
• Soften skin – Aging comes with some signs on the skin like wrinkles, blackheads, etc. They might make you look much older than your actual age. To hide all these signs of aging and to make your skin look fresh and younger, exfoliators play a crucial role.
• Unclog pores – One of the major symptoms of mature skin is clogged pores and breakouts. A facial scrub can unclog your pores and also save you from breakouts.
• Smooth skin – Accumulation of dead skin cells may also lead to rough skin. Affiliation helps you to smoothen your skin and helps you to look fresh.
• Keeps your skin hydrated – Apart from other benefits, another major benefit that affiliation offers is that it keeps your skin hydrated. Hydrated skin is an example of healthy skin.
• Evens out your skin tone – Uneven skin tone is another characteristic of mature skin. Regular exfoliation can make your skin tone even.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXFOLIATORS?

Now that you know the benefits of exfoliators for your skin, you might be a little more inspired to use them in your daily skincare routine. But wait, there’s more! You must be very careful while choosing the face exfoliators for mature skin. Not all exfoliators will be suitable for you. Let’s take a moment to learn about the two varieties of face exfoliators: Physical Exfoliators, and Chemical Exfoliators.

Physical Exfoliators are the physical tools that help in the process of exfoliation of mature skin.

They include grains, sugar, beads, washcloth, dry brush, powder, etc. But physical exfoliation can have some serious drawbacks which is why you should use them with caution, and/or sparingly.

It can lead to tears in the skin. These tears can lead to irritation and also to some extent infection.

Chemical exfoliators contain chemical (And Natural, Botanical) agents. 

These acids clear the dead skin cells and allow the growth of new cells. The best part of the chemical exfoliators is they are not harmful to your skin.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST EXFOLIATOR FOR YOURSELF?

It is important to use a face exfoliator suitable for your skin type. Otherwise, you will end up wasting money on a product that you will never use, and therefore never solve your aging skin concerns.

EXFOLIATOR FOR NORMAL SKIN

Those who have normal skin are fortunate, as they can experiment with products with reduced harm. As far as normal skin is concerned, you can use either of the two exfoliators (physical or chemical), however, be careful with pressure and frequency.

Be sure to apply physical exfoliators with damp skin and a gentle touch so that you can avoid stripping the skin’s natural barrier. Also be sure you don’t overuse them.

You don’t want to increase any dryness y taking away from your skin’s natural oils. For normal skin, exfoliators that contain charcoal and bentonite clay are the best.

EXFOLIATORS FOR OILY SKIN

For an oily but not so sensitive skin, both physical and chemical exfoliators are also good to use. The acids present in chemical exfoliators remove the excess oil and dirt.

This also helps to unclog your pores and make your skin look fresh and clean. Chemical exfoliators that contain salicylic and glycolic acids are the best choices for oily skin.

However, to remove excess oil, you can use physical exfoliators like a cleansing brush or one product with a soft grain.

EXFOLIATOR FOR DRY SKIN

If you have dry skin, it is recommended not to use any kind of physical exfoliator. Why? Because use of a physical exfoliator may lead to scratches, cuts or tears on your skin, which may lead to irritation and infection.

Use a chemical exfoliator and make sure it contains kaolin and lactic acid. These two acids are best for dry skin, as they keep the skin hydrated.

BEST EXFOLIATOR FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

If you have sensitive skin, you need to give your skin the same treatment as dry skin. Stay away from physical exfoliators. Use Chemical exfoliants that contain Kaolin Clay and lactic acid.

Bonus: A Guide On How To Get Clear Skin

WHAT KIND OF INGREDIENTS ARE USED IN EXFOLIATORS?

After going through the previous points, hopefully you understand a bit more about what kind of exfoliators you should use according to your skin type. Now, after you know the types of exfoliator to use, let’s learn about what the ingredients are that are often used in your exfoliators.

INGREDIENTS PRESENT IN PHYSICAL EXFOLIATORS

Following are the ingredients typically used in physical exfoliators –

WALNUT SHELLS AND APRICOT SHELLS

Natural seed pit and casings or shells are one of the best exfoliators for skin. The major drawback of walnut shells is that they do not suit all types of skin as they can cause scratches and tiny tears, and may cause infection. So, be sure to consult your skin specialist before using.

OLIVE SEED POWDER

Completely derived from olive pits, olive seed powder is one the best exfoliators that helps the skin without any harm.

JOJOBA BEADS

The jojoba beads are small and smooth wax beads that help to nourish the skin without causing any tears on the skin.

CLAY

The exfoliation agent that helps you to revive your natural glow is clay. There are two types of clays that help to brighten up your skin and get the most benefits. The clays are bentonite and kaolin. These two clays unclog the pores and help to revive the natural glow of the skin.

CHARCOAL

Charcoal is another ingredient that comes with a lot of benefits. It takes out all the oil and dirt from the skin just like a vacuum cleaner does. It helps to even the skin tone also.

INGREDIENTS PRESENT IN CHEMICAL EXFOLIATORS

We have already discussed that chemical exfoliators contain acids. These acids are of two types, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy acids (BHAs).

AHAs are gentle acids that work on the top layer, i.e the epidermis of the skin. BHAs are the stronger acids and they get deep into the skin and take out all the impurities and oil.

Some commonly found Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are as follows:

CITRIC ACID

Yes, this is the same acid found in fruits like lemons, oranges, etc.! This acid helps to reduce wrinkles and other aging characteristics. It also aids to brighten skin and helps reduce dark spots and age spots. Citric acid is a vital component to all types of skincare.

GLYCOLIC ACID

A glycolic acid exfoliator smooths the surface of the skin.

LACTIC ACID

Lactic can help you get a lot of benefits. It brightens up your skin, smooths uneven skin tone, hides pores, and also softens your rough skin.

The most commonly found Beta Hydroxy acid (BHAs) is Salicylic acid.

HOW DO YOU PROPERLY EXFOLIATE MATURE SKIN?

Exfoliation is very easy! Just incorporate it into your daily skincare routine to start seeing the magic. Below are some basic steps that you can follow when exfoliating your skin.

WASH YOUR FACE

Well, this step is the basis of any skincare routine. Clean skin is KEY. Use a simple, gentle water-based cleanser to clean your face.

While you want to remove excess oils, you don’t want to use a harsh cleanser that will take away your natural sebum as this will make your skin dry. You can also use a gentle facial brush or gel scrubby that may help give you a more deep clean.

APPLY A FACE EXFOLIATOR

You can use a natural face mask that may take out all the oil and other impurities from your skin. The use of an exfoliator depends on your skin type as discussed before. Also, the interval of using the exfoliator depends on the same.

USE A TONER

A toner will help you to hydrate your skin and balance down the oils.

RADIATE YOUR SKIN WITH SERUMS

The most important step of exfoliation is to make your skin glow. To make this step a success, use a good AHA serum that contains Vitamin C. This will help give your skin a natural glow.

MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

The last but one of the most crucial steps is to use a good water based moisturizer. Moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and also brightens the skin tone.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE AN EXFOLIATOR?

Well, there is no particular time to carry out this process. You can do it just after cleaning your face day or night. Exfoliate just before using any other product like moisturizer or sunscreen (and remember – you don’t need to be going outdoors to use sunscreen!).

Exfoliation can be done three times a week. Remember, it is advised to keep in limits as overdoing may lead to adverse effects.

WHAT ARE SOME NATURAL EXFOLIATION INGREDIENTS?

Yes, more options! There are also natural exfoliation ingredients that can be found in your household – groceries to be exact!

If you want to use a completely natural exfoliant, here is a list of natural exfoliators you can apply to your skin. The ingredients that are mentioned below are easily available in the market or you can find them in your kitchen as well!

HONEY

Honey helps to keep your skin hydrated as it has antimicrobial properties. It also smooths your skin and brings out a natural glow.

Take some honey in your palm, and apply it to your face. Massage it thoroughly in a circular motion. After keeping it for some time, rinse it with warm water. Pat dry, and follow up with your water-based moisturizer.

PAPAYA

Papaya is a miracle fruit. It is one of the best exfoliators that can be used regularly. It smooths your skin by dissolving the dead skin cells from the surface. Smash the papaya into a paste.

Apply it to your face using your fingers. Massage it in a circular motion. Allow it to rest on your face for 15 minutes. Then wash it with cool water to get fresh, glowy skin. Follow up with your water-based moisturizer.

COFFEE

If you’re a coffee lover you know the power those grinds have. But did you also know that your favorite coffee can also be used as an exfoliator? It can be used as a scrub to shed dead skin cells and also fight against wrinkles and wide pores.

Save your warm coffee grounds for your skincare routine. Apply room temperature grounds to damp skin. Massage into your skin a gentle, circular motion.

Let sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly off with warm water. Pat dry, and follow up with a moisturizer.

YOGURT

This is another exfoliator with a lot of benefits. It contains AHAs and lactic acids that help to remove dead skin cells by promoting new ones. Apply yogurt to dry skin and massage into skin with a circular motion.

Let skin until it begins to dry. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry. Follow up with our moisturizer!

FINAL THOUGHTS

After reading this post, we hope that you have a new understanding of the importance of facial exfoliators for mature skin. But make sure that before you buy any exfoliator from the market, you identify your skin type and then use the correct product.

To know your skin type you can also consult any skin specialist or dermatologist. Try to incorporate exfoliating into your daily routine and enjoy younger looking skin!

Keep Reading: 16 Best Toners For Every Skin Type To Buy In 2022

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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts, and more.