Have you even wondered if exfoliating is for you? Why do it? Doesn’t it just take ages and have to be done in a very specific way? 

You may think your skin is too sensitive to exfoliate. I used to think this and avoided exfoliating until I was in my 40’s and my perimenopausal skin became clogged. I wish I had started exfoliating sooner. 

Now I'm almost 50 year old and I make it part of my bi-weekly skin care routine because I love how bright and refreshed my skin feels afterwards, and love that natural glow!

So let me explain why it’s a good idea.

It’s true, exfoliating really is the path to bright and glowing skin. Using the right skincare ingredients for you and creating a routine that works for you is the key to looking after your skin and reaping the benefits of beautiful youthful looking skin.

1. Remove dead skin cells to brighten your skin

Exfoliating will get rid of your dull grey complexion and remove those dead skin cells!

Who wants a bunch of dead skin cells sitting there making your skin look dull? Right, no-one. Exfoliating removes these cells and aids the natural cycle of skin shedding every 30 days.

The next cycle of cells are already forming underneath those dead skin cells but in order to see them and enjoy a fresh faced appearance we need to remove the old ones.

If your circulation is a bit sluggish, which can be the case as you get older, you’ve probably experienced patches of dry flaky skin where this natural cycle needs a little help!

Exfoliating your skin keeps things moving effectively, allowing new skin cells to create the top layer of your skin.

Regularly using a facial exfoliator like the Organic Cacao & Orange Sugar Scrub can help the body’s natural process and show us that new skin, giving you a natural, healthy looking glow.

2. Exfoliating gives make-up a boost

If you wear make-up regularly, you’ll know how tricky it is to cover over dry flaky areas of skin with foundation and avoid your skin become ever drier. Instead of spending lots of time and money finding make-up that can hide these areas, it’s easier to exfoliate your skin and remove the dead skin cells first.  

When you exfoliate your face, you create a smooth, flawless base that makes your foundation easier to apply and look perfect.

3. Exfoliating helps to reduce blemishes

When your pores are blocked thanks to hormonal changes in your skin and an imbalance of sebum production, you can experience blemishes and breakouts. Exfoliating can really help to minimise this problem.

Once a week using an exfoliator removes this excess oil along with dead skin cells and allows your skin to absorb beneficial healing nutrients from your natural skincare products.

4. Exfoliating keeps your skin hydrated

Talking of allowing your skin to absorb beneficial nutrients, how can all those lovely plant vitamins from your face cream get to where they are needed if dead skin cells are blocking the way?

A natural organic face cream is crucial to caring for your skin, but let’s make sure it nourishes the healthy new skin cells, not the old ones. If the moisturiser can’t be absorbed then your skin could become dehydrated. 

I've devised an soap-free exfoliator containing organic cocoa butter so that as you exfoliate, your natural oils remain intact and your skin is immediately hydrated!

5. Exfoliating keeps you looking younger

If like me you’ve discovered pigmentation spots and rough patches on your skin as you’ve gotten older then you’ll definitely want to exfoliate. Give these areas a little extra gentle attention when you exfoliate to break them up and retain softer more youthful looking skin.

Remember not to get carried away though. If you exfoliate too often or too vigorously you can strip away the natural oils that your body needs.

I recommend using an exfoliator with all natural ingredients like the facial Organic Cacao Sugar Scrub just once a fortnight (not more often than that as you don't want to over-exfoliate!), and the Happy Hemp Exfoliator with castille soap body wash on your arms and legs. 

These two simple steps will keep your skin feeling great and looking amazing!

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Read more about natural vegan skincare in the I Am Natural Vegan Beauty Journal.