Beauty expert Cora Gold wrote today’s post diving deep on the dos and don’ts of exfoliating mature skin like ours. Enjoy, darlings!

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To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? That is the question many people face when assessing the steps in their skincare routine.

For women with mature skin, determining whether you should try or skip it can be a whole endeavor. The interest may come from fellow skincare enthusiasts who preach exfoliation as a necessary step in their routine. After all, removing dead skin cells with the right tools can be refreshing. However, others oppose ever exfoliating. 

The truth is a mix of both. Exfoliating mature skin can certainly be a fruitful addition to your skincare routine. At the same time, it’s dependent on whether it works for you and if you do it right. Everyone’s experience is different, so take a subjective view first. 

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Advantages of Exfoliating Mature Skin

Exfoliating gets plenty of praise, especially from those with oily and normal skin types. Some of its key benefits can also be seen for mature skin.

1. Improves Radiance

Aging skin is undoubtedly beautiful. Smile lines and wrinkles showcase a lifetime full of joy, which can be attractive to show off. However, mature skin is also prone to dullness. Brighten up your face and body by exfoliating. Clearing out the dead skin cells makes way for new skin cells, which can appear lighter and healthier. 

2. Unclogs Pores

Mature skin can also be much more susceptible to pollution and germs. Even with a cleanser and toner, it can’t be enough to get dirt or leftover makeup off. An excessive amount of natural dead skin cells and sebum can also be a contributing factor. Luckily, a good exfoliant works in-depth to remove all the grime clogging your pores.

3. Smooths Texture

Dealing with rough or bumpy textures is natural. As you get older, collagen production tends to slow down and affect your skin’s elasticity. An exfoliant can help stimulate your skin cells to produce collagen more efficiently. While it won’t return time, you can feel satisfied having softer and smoother skin.

4. Evens Out Skin Tone

Some people with mature skin may experience uneven skin tone. Other people of color may already grapple with hyperpigmentation from a younger age. And while it can be a harmless and natural feature, insecurities can develop over time. Pick out an exfoliant to ensure even pigment distribution and clear your skin.

5. Makes Other Skincare More Effective

The best part about skin exfoliants is how they can make other skincare products much more effective. Clearing out dead skin cells allows your face and body to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively. It can also help your cleansers and toners penetrate deeper for the next few days.

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Potential Downsides to Exfoliating

While exfoliating seems perfect, there can be potential disadvantages. Most of these downsides appear when over-exfoliating or when your skin is sensitive.

1. Dryness

Certain exfoliants can be too good at stripping away dirt from your face and body, as they can also remove your face oils for a reasonable amount of time. While too much sebum can be bad for your skin, a lack of hydration can make your skin uncomfortable.

2. Inflammation

Goodbye security, hello redness. Mature skin is already prone to irritation and inflammation when exposed to sunlight or pollution. However, since freshly exfoliated skin strips your face of oils, the skin has less natural protection.

3. Thinning Skin

Mature skin can take off dead skin cells and open up a path for new ones to form. However, aging can make the epidermis grow thinner over time. If you exfoliate too much, you may risk having thin and vulnerable skin.

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Tips for Proper Exfoliation

As you start weighing the pros and cons of exfoliation, you may wonder how you can get all the goods without damaging your skin. The key is to practice a proper exfoliation routine.

1. Understand Your Skin

Mature skin can still have various characteristics, whether borderline dry or sensitive. Assess the state of your skin to determine whether exfoliation will be helpful to your skin or not. You can also seek a dermatologist to discuss the step’s suitability for your kind of skin.

2. Pick the Right Timing

Timing is everything in skincare. Consider certain factors, such as when and how often you put the products on. Here’s an overview of tips:

• Exfoliate once a week: Exfoliants are abrasive, so only put them on once a week. If you feel like your skin is still supple by the same time next week, you can even skip doing it. That way, you avoid overworking the product on your face and body.
• Use exfoliants at night: Applying exfoliants can make your skin vulnerable. Give it breathing room to repair itself by reserving this part of your skincare at night. When you wake up, your skin will feel much better.
• Skip exfoliants when injured: If you have any cuts, wounds or other injuries, don’t apply any skincare to let your face and body heal. Take special care to pause exfoliation too, as it can aggravate those spots.

3. Pick the Right Exfoliants

Some people may say mature skin should only stick to a specific type of exfoliant, but it’s best to be informed about the options before deciding. Here’s an overview of the choices:

• Physical exfoliants: Physical exfoliants are used to manually remove dead skin cells and debris from your skin. Some people utilize granulated scrubs (like this one with Manuka honey), but others may opt for liquid products and apply them with brushes or shower sponges.

• Chemical exfoliants: Chemical exfoliants like glycolic and salicylic acids can exfoliate your skin inside and out. These products can be a great alternative if you’re sensitive to physically scrubbing your skin. Just be mindful of how much you use.

• Exfoliating treatments: There are professional exfoliating treatments you can seek out for your mature skin. For instance, microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive exfoliation process, primarily taking care of scarring and skin tone.

4. Use Protectant

Using exfoliants over time can make your skin even more sensitive, so adopt the right habits and products. For instance, dermatologists recommend staying out of the sun if you don’t have sunscreen of 30 SPF or more. You can also look for a great moisturizer to keep your skin barrier healthy and protected.

5. Focus on Certain Areas

Some assume they need to exfoliate their whole body and skin, but it isn’t essential. Look out for the problem areas you specifically want to work on. For instance, maybe your nose pores feel particularly clogged or rough. If the rest of your face feels fine, concentrate your exfoliants on that area instead.

Taking a Stand on Exfoliating

The debate on exfoliation is never-ending, but you should give it a try to see whether your mature skin can take the products and benefit from them. If it works for you and you do it properly, that’s all that truly matters.