Anybody who knows me knows I have spent a very large chunk of my life exfoliating, talking about exfoliating and looking for new exfoliators.
For years I searched around looking for the perfect exfoliator, one that really felt like it was working. and after many years of searching I found it.....but then, as like every product that I get attached too., it was discontinued. Boo! It was Elle MacPhearson's SOS Salt Scrub and it worked miracles.
Anyway, after that heartbreak, I continued my search for the best exfoliator. I must admit, I have never found a product that was quite like it.
However, there are a few that I have found that work well, and with the method I use, can achieve great results for your skin.
If you haven't exfoliated for a while, or God forbid, ever, then to achieve the best result you need to start with using your exfoliator in dry skin as this helps to remove dead skin cells more vigorously.
There are a 2 different exfoliators I am using at the moment, and I can assure you, there aren't any others out there that are better. Trust me, I have looked and tested every single one I can get my hands on.
There are 3 steps I follow to really get the most out of exfoliating. However, depending on time, you may just want to do one or two.
So start off with using Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub. It has salt and sugar in which are the 2 best exfoliators and most exfoliators with these things in are the best. It smells divine but be careful as it is quite tricky to use. Make sure you follow these tips and you will be fine.
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| Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub |
If applying to dry skin, for a more extreme result, then stand in your bathroom on a towel. The towel catches any of the product that doesn't make it onto your skin, and you can use it later.
Scoop a handful of the scrub into your hands and massage it into your palms for a few seconds. Then start with your arms and rub the scrub vigorously over your whole body, paying particular attention to your knees and elbows and also the tops of your arms. Most people have dry, uneven skin on the tops of their arms so this helps to get rid of this and prevent it from reappearing.
Once you have scrubbed your whole body, get in the shower. Rinse the scrub off.
For those who are applying the scrub on damp skin then before you apply it, wash your body with a shower gel first. I have been using Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra Rich Body Wash for 5 years and when I use something else, I really can feel the difference. This shower gel works wonders and really does moisturise as it cleans. Brilliant for dry skin.
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| Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra Rich Body Wash |
As you can see, the products I use aren't all really pricey. The real reason for this is because I don't just look for products that are in a high price range. I look for products that actually work and make a difference.
So, once you have washed your body, turn the shower head away from you, so that your skin and dry off a bit. By applying the scrub to damp skin instead of wet skin, the scrub can really work.
Again, apply the scrub from your neck down to your feet, in vigourous circular motions. I often sit down in the shower whilst I do this. Once you've tired this out you will realise why. It is a tad tricky to try and scrub your entire body standing up. Sitting down helps me to really get to those hard to reach areas, and give them a good scrub!
I then reach for a different exfoliator. The one i am using at the moment is Sanctuary Revive Invigorating Body Rub. It smells like heaven and works well. I pop that onto my exfoliating gloves and start the scrubbing process again. really go for it this time, put your back into it.
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| Sanctuary Revive Invigorating Body Rub |
Everybody should own a pair of exfoliating gloves. You can use them with a scrub for double exfoliation or use them with a shower gel in between using a scrub to gentle sift off dead skin cells. I use them in conjunction with a scrub on days when I have more time. The gloves i swear by and have been using for years are Sanctuary Exfoliating Gloves which can be found in any Sanctuary section at Boots. I have found that quite recently, much to my dismay, these gloves are often out of stock. But don't panic, I have found a similarly priced alternative.
Soap and Glory Exfoliating Scrub Gloves will put you back about £4 and are lovely and pink, which looks great in your bathroom. They do work a treat but I only ever use them if I can't find the Sanctuary ones.
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| Soap and Glory Exfoliating Scrub Gloves |
I change my gloves approximately every month as I find they lose their strengh after about 4 weeks and don't work as well. So keep changing them, it's worth it.
Having done that, I grab ANOTHER sponge. You can get them from pretty much everywhere and cost about 99p. They have the rough white part on the top and a spongy bit on the bottom. I often get the pink ones as they look cuter in your bathroom.
The rough part of this sponge exfoliated the skin and removes dead cells and its very vigorous and you really feel like you have new skin after using it. I use this is conjunction with either scrub I have discussed, however, like before, depending on how much time I have, I may use it with just my shower gel.
This may sound like a long time, but once you have made it your routine it only takes 10 minutes, sometimes less. If time really isn't on your side then cut out 2 methods and just do one but make sure at least once a week you use all three if you really want to benefit from it.
So lets just recap:
- Use a salt based scrub on dry or damp skin, massage over the whole body.
- Rinse off and then sit down/stand up and apply another exfoliator, with a more creamy texture
- Put on exfoliating gloves and squeeze on some exfoliator.
- Scrub away
- Use a cheap exfoliating sponge, using the rough,course part on the top. Use from head to toe in conjunction with a shower cream or a scrub.
- Rinse off
Once out the shower I immediately apply Johnson's Baby Oil to wet skin. I started doing this a good few years ago and I use it either alone or in conjunction with another moisturiser. I massage that into wet skin and leave for a few seconds then PAT dry with a towel.
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| Johnson's Baby Oil |
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| Clinique Turnaround Body Cream |
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| Clinique Deep Comfort Body Moisture |
So there you have it! That is the best and only way to get beautifully soft and subtle skin and I can guarantee that your skin will feel amazing straight away but if you carry on with this routine it can really change your skin forever. You will feel happier in your skin too, as if it looks great then you will feel great. Trust me, if I ever feel rubbish I just get scrubbing as it makes me feel better about my body straight away.
Many people may laugh and think what a waste of time but remember your skin is your body's largest organ and taking care of it now will be worth it in the future.
I won't go on about how important exfoliating and moisturising is as Im guessing you would have realised I wouldn't have spent time writing a blog about it if it wasn't important.
My next blog is going to be on getting rid of spots followed by a special blog on Foundations and Tinted Moisturisers.
Enjoy
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