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BEAUTY 

Exfoliation Expertise

Spring into the season with fresh, glowing skin!

Winter is never kind to our skin. The temperature, however, will soon be rising and we’ll be shedding our layers of wool and fleece. Now is the time to kick-start a body scrub routine that’ll have you positively luminous and ready to show off spring’s hottest fashion trends. Holly Sherrard, Education Manager of the International Dermal Institute in Toronto, shares her Dos and Don’ts of getting your glow in gear.
 
DO use a mechanical and chemical scrub. “Mechanical scrubs are ones that you physically manipulate on your body, including, for example, ground shells, corn cob meal and seeds, along with exfoliating mitts or brushes. Chemical scrubs, on the other hand, break down the links between skin cells,” explains Sherrard. Think lactic acid, silica beads, alpha-hydroxy acids and enzymes. “If the product has a combination of the two, it’s less work for you.”

DO choose the appropriate scrub for certain body parts. “The larger the granule, the thicker the skin you should be using it on.” A coarse apricot scrub can be used on your feet, whereas a finer scrub made of olive, fig and date can be used on your entire body, since its particles are less jagged. Also, keep in mind that a body scrub is too harsh to use on your face. The skin here is thinner, especially around the eyes, and tends to be more sensitive.

DO invest in a dry body brush with natural bristles. In addition to helping to shed dead skin cells, dry body brushing helps stimulate lymphatic flow and is believed to reduce toxins in the body. “You can use the brush at any time of day, but rinsing off in the shower right afterwards is ideal.”

DO apply sunscreen post-scrub. “Although we recommend daylight protection year-round, it is imperative to protect exfoliated skin with SPF to maintain the health of new skin cells, protect against hyperpigmentation and guard against photo damage.”

DON’T be afraid to use a body scrub daily. As long as you’re not applying excessive pressure, says Sherrard, some scrubs are gentle enough to use regularly. If you don’t have time to exfoliate daily, two to three times a week is sufficient.

DON’T forget exfoliating gloves, mitts or cloths. Your hands alone are great, but these “tools” work a little harder. You can use them alone or in combination with a scrub.

DON’T scrub if you’ve just had laser hair removal. Wait at least one week. Same goes for sunburned and recently waxed skin. If you’re planning on using a self-tanner, however, a body scrub is a great way to prep your skin to achieve an even faux glow. “Self-tanner and moisturizer will penetrate your smooth skin more easily when it’s been freshly scrubbed.” Plus, you’ll have a more even and “natural” colour.

Karen Kwan is a Toronto-based freelance writer. She also blogs about health and lifestyle at healthandswellness.com

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