Beautiful skin starts with a steady skincare routine. But don't worry, "routine" doesn't mean tedious, difficult chores. In only a few steps, you can maintain healthy skin and prepare it for hair removal at the same time.
Along with moisturization, exfoliation is a basic skincare step, and a necessary one for flawless results, and to help waxing products work perfectly. So, if you are a regular waxer, you should make sure that you exfoliate regularly, and most importantly, exfoliate before waxing. The wide range of options available will make it really easy and enjoyable. Let's learn everything about the different methods for exfoliation and why use them before waxing.
The Relationship Between Exfoliation and WaxingExfoliation is the removal of superficial dead skin cells with a mechanical medium. Basically, it is like buffing the skin to get rid of old skin and impurities and expose new and healthier skin. This method has to be done regularly because we are always shedding skin cells.
Now, we tell you to exfoliate before waxing because it is important as a prepping step: it softens the skin, stimulates circulation, and minimizes the risk of pimples and ingrown hairs. If there are already ingrown hairs, exfoliating liberates the hair trapped in the superficial skin layers and prepares it for removal. But there is a catch: you shouldn't exfoliate right before your waxing appointment as your skin might get over-exfoliated and more prone to ripping. It is best to exfoliate your skin twenty-four hours before waxing.
However, don't exfoliate before waxing only; it has to be done frequently to really get results. You can do it every other day or at least once a week, whether you're waxing or not. Only beware of exfoliating too much since this can cause skin dryness, and to compensate, your sebaceous glands might start producing more oil. The best thing about exfoliation is that you have so many options that you will find the perfect one for you. Here's the variety of exfoliation methods, from scrubs to sponges.
Exfoliation Methods
1. Body scrubsThis is many people's shower favorite. Body scrubs come in all formulas: thick and creamy, gel, or lotion. All of them contain microspheres or particles which do the exfoliating job; just rub in circular motions on the area you prefer, and you will get a soothing and relaxing sensation plus the benefits of smoother skin. Body scrub massages also help to improve circulation.
The best body scrub will depend on your skin type. Choose creamier formulas if your skin is dry, and a gel if your skin is oily. Smaller particles are wonderful for the face, as they unclog the pores and prepare skin for hydration, and bigger ones work wonders for legs, butt, and arms.
2. Natural ingredients
You can get wonderful body scrubs with natural ingredients you can easily find at home. If you have the spirit of a DIYer, you will have fun making your own concoctions. The star ingredients for scrubs are honey, rose water and essential oils like coconut for the base and brown sugar or coffee for the scrubbing particles. Here are a few recipes:
Honey, oil, and brown sugar scrub
These three ingredients combine antioxidant, soothing, and hydrating properties and they have long been used in beauty with wonderful results.
- Take a small microwavable bowl and pour in about 8 tablespoons of honey. Warm it up until it looks a bit runny. It will get only slightly warm, and that's enough.
- Add two tablespoons of essential oil (coconut, almond, jojoba, or any other you have). If you don't have any of these essential oils, a bit of baby oil, cooking oil or olive oil will do.
- Now add about half a cup of brown sugar. Replace it with white sugar if you don't have brown.
- Mix well and it's ready to use!
- To apply this sweet scrub, it's best in the shower. Apply it in circular motions on wet skin before soap or body wash. You'll feel relaxed after this scrub massage and your skin will feel silky smooth.
- After the scrub, apply a mild body wash and cover yourself in lotion while your skin is still wet; this will help retain moisture.
Oil, coffee grinds, and ginger
This is the scrub for firmer skin with less cellulite. Coffee has powerful antioxidant properties that smooth out the appearance of bumps and imperfections that cellulite brings.
- In a bowl, put half a cup of coffee grinds (which means you'll have already drunk your morning coffee and nothing gets wasted!)
- Add in your favorite essential oil. Add in as much as you want until you get the desired consistency, but the recommended texture should be thick and creamy enough to be rubbed easily. Remember you can swap an essential oil with olive oil or even baby oil.
- Grind or grate a bit of ginger root and add some sprinkles to the mixture. Your slimming and firming scrub is ready. Just make sure you massage upwards to improve circulation, especially if you have circulatory issues.
Oatmeal, lotion, and olive oi
Oatmeal is wonderful for sensitive skin and is a milder exfoliant than sugar or coffee, so this is the scrub for delicate skin.
- Stir together the rolled oats with a bit of neutral body lotion (you can opt for fragrance-free lotion).
- Add a few drops of olive oil or baby oil if you wish to keep this scrub fragrance and allergy-free.
3. Vegetable sponges/LoofahsVegetable sponges are organisms with a fibrous internal structure that retains water. They have the perfect texture to exfoliate the skin. Loofahs are a great option since they are 100% natural; they cause no allergies or skin problems.
Use a loofah every other day or at least once a week to clean your skin deeply and exfoliate at the same time. Neutral body wash or a hydrating soap-free wash are the perfect pair for a loofah.
There are different types of loofahs and you can divide them into different, smaller sections if you need for different body parts.
4. Dry Brushing
Did you know that brushing your skin is great for exfoliation and for other health benefits (like better circulation and lymphatic drainage)? However, it's obvious that you cannot use just any kind of brush. Dry brushes have soft, natural bristles that exfoliate gently and do not damage the skin.
There is a technique to dry-brush and you need to stick to it if you want to reap the rewards and avoid any health problems that may arise from the wrong technique. As a rule of thumb, brush toward the heart; this is because in this area the lymphatic system drains. Start from the feet and run through the legs upwards toward the chest. Same thing from the palms of the hands. Underarms and stomach should be brushed in a circular motion. Ten strokes per each body part are fine.
The best time for dry brushing is before the shower. Try it! It's a wonderful way to exfoliate, clear the pores, reduce cellulite, get an energy boost, and improve the overall condition of your skin.
Remember that there are different brush sizes and textures. Choose smaller and softer ones for the face, and brushes with a long handle for the body.
As you can see, you don't have only one option when it comes to exfoliation methods. Try them all and stick with the one that fits you best. Or better yet, mix and match them and enjoy your exfoliation routine. You'll notice that waxing gets easier and has better results.
Once your exfoliation routine is all set up, you need great waxes and Beauty Image has your back. We have a wide variety of high-quality waxes to mix and match. For information about our products, call TOLL FREE 888-513-8815 or fill out the contact form on this website. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to hear from us first!
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