Do this one simple skincare trick to get glowing skin for the holidays

Everyone wants to look their best for upcoming holiday parties and photos, but not many of us have extra time to spend on skincare during this busy season. Fortunately, getting glowing, radiant skin right before your holiday party can be as easy as adding one extra step to your routine: exfoliation.

Learn about the two types of exfoliation, how to find out which is right for your skin, and how to properly exfoliate your skin for a smooth, bright complexion.

Mechanical vs. chemical exfoliation

When old skin cells build up on the surface, your skin can appear dull and lackluster because it is less able to reflect light. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells and debris from the surface of your skin, quickly and easily achieving a smoother, brighter complexion.

There are two ways to exfoliate your skin: mechanically (or physically) and chemically. Mechanical exfoliation involves using a scrub or skincare brush to physically remove dead skin cells through friction. While this can be an effective method for some resistant skin types, mechanical exfoliation is too harsh for sensitive skin types.

Chemical exfoliation uses ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids to loosen the “glue” that holds skin cells together, thus helping dead skin cells to easily lift away from the surface. Sensitive skin types do better with chemical exfoliation because friction against the skin is not involved in this method. However, sensitive skin types may only tolerate chemical exfoliation once or twice per week.

How to properly exfoliate your skin

▪ If using a mechanical exfoliation method, avoid scrubs that contain very abrasive objects such as crushed walnut shells, as these can damage the skin barrier. Look for eco-friendly, non-plastic scrubs instead.

▪ Use light pressure when applying an exfoliating scrub or using a skincare brush. Do not scrub vigorously.

▪ Glycolic acid cleansers are excellent chemical exfoliators and can be used several times per week, depending on your skin type. These cleansers can help to prep your skin so that the skincare ingredients that follow can better penetrate your skin.

Bottom line

Exfoliating your skin is a quick and easy way to get a glowing complexion right before a holiday party or event. The best type and frequency of exfoliation will depend on your skin type. Sensitive skin types tolerate chemical exfoliation better than physical exfoliation, while resistant types generally do well with either method.

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