Everyone seems to be talking about exfoliation right now—the benefits and the dangers, the best products and the worst. But this ongoing dialogue leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What does exfoliation actually do for your skin? How should you do it? With what? And how often? Let’s talk about it.

Why?

“Out with the old and in with the new.” That might as well be your skin’s life motto. Your skin is always regenerating. The average lifespan of a skin cell is only 28–40 days. Young, healthy skin turns over even faster, leaving you with a fresh, radiant glow. But as you age, this turnover rate slows down. Your skin takes longer to shed dead skin cells, which can leave you looking dull and dry. The solution? Exfoliation.

Exfoliating your skin not only removes dull, lifeless skin—it encourages your skin to regenerate faster. It helps your skincare products sink in and work more efficiently. And most importantly, it leaves you with the soft, brilliant, naturally beautiful skin you deserve.

When?

Start slow. Begin exfoliating once a week, and then transition to two or three times a week. Exfoliation is important, but there is such a thing as too much exfoliation. If you exfoliate too often or use overly-harsh products, you can dry out your skin—leaving you right back where you started.

How?

Be kind to your skin. At Kettle Care, we’re all about easy, gentle skincare. We recommend dry brushing your body or using an exfoliant with Jojoba Wax Beads or Garnet Gemstone Powder on your face—safer, gentler alternatives that will polish your skin without tearing it. Check out our blog to learn more about these methods.

When it comes to exfoliating, the aftercare is just as important as the ritual itself. After exfoliating your face, apply a generous layer of a rich creme as a leave-on hydration mask. Add a layer of our Vitamin E Serum—the pure Vitamin E and antioxidants support your skin’s repair and hydration.

For your body, try one of our ultra-rich body lotions. They work wonders after dry brushing and a lukewarm shower. For more skincare benefits, finish your shower with cold water. This will tighten your skin and support healthy circulation. Then seal in the moisture with one of our body lotions or creams. Your skin will glow with appreciation!

For more information on dry brushing, read our friend and wellness guru Janette’s notes on how to Dry Brush.