Your guide to flawless skin

Have you ever looked at someone else and thought, ‘Wow, I wish I had her skin?’ Well then, it’s your lucky day, because here’s how you can achieve that flawless look you have always dreamed of...

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost layers. It is the key to a smooth and glowing skin. The lack of exfoliation encourages dead cells to accumulate on the skin & body’s upper layers, leading to dry skin as well as blemishes and acne breakouts. Following a good exfoliation routine diminishes fine lines, acne scars and other facial flaws while making the skin healthier and smoother.

During facial exfoliation, take the product in your fingers, emulsify it on the face in circular motions — starting from the cheek, moving up to the forehead. This technique will open up all the clogged pores, and help revive and rejuvenate tired and dull skin. Make sure to repeat this routine every 3 to 7 days.

There are several ways to exfoliate your skin — from pocket-friendly, DIY remedies to professional treatments. Here are some options:

Professional exfoliation

There are two types of professional exfoliation: chemical & mechanical. Chemical exfoliation is the process of utilising fruit enzymes or acids derived from sugar and milk (lactic acid). Whereas mechanical exfoliation incorporates the use of beads, razors & brushes to peel dead cells.

Follow the below list of non-invasive, effective and professional exfoliation treatments to get that perfect, flawless finish.

Chemical peeling: Chemical peels are an extremely effective way to exfoliate your skin. It helps peel off the dead, upper-skin layers while smoothening scars, fine lines & wrinkles. These peel treatments can be taken up once every month, revealing the skin’s satin-soft layer.

Dermaplaning: Dermaplaning or epidermal levelling is the technique of scraping off the outermost dead skin layer with a small scalpel. This technique helps in facial hair removal and treating old skin and acne scars.

Microdermabrasion: In this process, instead of a scalpel or sandpaper, a crystal or a diamond-like tip is used to peel off the dead skin layer. It does not help in facial hair removal, but it treats and diminishes acne scars, blemishes, and revives dull, dry skin.

Home-made exfoliation techniques

If you plan on sticking to a tight budget, we have curated a list of pocket-friendly home remedies for effective exfoliation. From DIY scrubs to off-the-counter products — these efficacious routines promise to give you a fine, dewy look.

DIY scrubs: DIY scrubs consist of ingredients such as sugar crystals, oats, gram flour, turmeric powder, wheat flour, coconut & other essential oils, most of which you will find in the kitchen. Concoct a scrub using items most suited to your skin type, to experience an all-natural DIY exfoliation treatment at home.

These ingredients can be used together or separately to form purpose-specific exfoliators. Turmeric powder, gram flour and wheat flour with a pinch of milk/yoghurt/rose water can be used for tan removal, whereas tiny sugar crystals, tomato puree, and a squeeze of lime can be used for skin lightening. So, whip up your favourite ingredients and make your very own pocket-friendly concoction for effective yet inexpensive exfoliation at home.

nOff-the-counter exfoliators: A variety of over-the-counter exfoliators are available which provide the ideal results. While selecting the product, make sure it constitutes of smaller granules, as larger granules are harsh and tend to scathe and scrape your skin.

Purchase products which utilise ultra-fine granules and crystals along with moisturising ingredients such as essential oils and algae-aloe which not only retain the skin’s moisture but also erase fine lines and enhance facial glow.