The quick answer? Absolutely yes!

 

If your skin is hydrated it should actually never need exfoliation.

Sounds crazy right? Stay with me…

 

Your skin is an amazing machine that has systems that know exactly what to do and when.

Within the top layers of the skin (the Stratum Corneum) there are beautiful little enzymes called Stratum corneum Chymotryptic Enzymes (SCCE for short) and these enzymes are responsible for digesting the bonds that hold skin cells together so they can be released and shed from the body (When it is time) This is our skins “natural exfoliation process”.

 

However- these enzymes are activated by water or moisture in the skin. If there is no moisture, these enzymes deactivate and dont function the way they should, resulting in cellular build up.

 

So if your skin feels flakey, rough, dry, tight or uncomfortable, chances are you need to focus on hydrating your skin with the right ingredients (internally and externally)- manually exfoliating your skin is the last thing you want to be doing.

 

Over exfoliating means you’re removing too many layers of natural protection. Your skin will likely become shiny, sensitive and inflamed. 

 

When in this condition, skin isn’t as effective at keeping out irritants, allergens, and bacteria, nor is it able to hold moisture in, resulting in even further dehydration, a very damaged protective barrier and a cycle that is hard to break.

 

Moral of the story?

Skip the dermabrasion, harsh peels and dermaplaning, put down the exfoliants and focus on feeding your skin what it needs.

 

Because hydrated skin will exfoliate itself.