We often don't think about it, but skin is our body's largest organ, so it's important we take good care of it.
Over time, damage from the sun, hormonal changes, and aging slow down our ability to shed dead cells, as well as produce new skin cells. These dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin surface and are responsible for the appearance of dull, lifeless skin. If you have spot prone skin, exfoliating can help keep pores clean and unclogged. Removing the dead skin cells prevent oils from your skin getting trapped beneath the surface, causing those dreaded blemishes.
Our skin can shed 30,000 to 40,000 dead cells per minute naturally and, on average, we generate a new layer of skin every two to four weeks.
Although soap will remove dirt and excess oil, soap alone cannot remove all the excess dead cells. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin and is considered one of the most important things that you do to achieve healthy, radiant skin. You can use an eco-friendly natural fibre soap bag or mitt and a grainy soap scrub bar.
The coarse ingredients in soap scrub bars are the physical particles that buff your skin to remove dead cells, leaving skin smooth and radiant. Sea Salt and pumice scour away dirt and grime and are great for getting rid of rough skin on hands and feet. Blue Poppy seeds provide a gentler but still effective all over exfoliation. And oatmeal which is commonly used for its soothing properties can also exfoliate as well as absorb oil and is gentle enough to use every day.
Regular exfoliation benefits skin all year round but is especially helpful during the winter months. Cold weather and central heating can dry out your skin and make it look dull. Scrub well to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage to revitalise your skin. Removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells also means that moisturising creams and lotions are better able to penetrate the layers beneath.
Please note that although scrubbing can be incredibly satisfying, don’t get carried away - exfoliants, such as hedgehogs or you old Christmas tree may be natural, but they’re definitely not recommended!