After cleansing, the next step many people overlook is exfoliation. Simply put, exfoliation means removing the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin. When these cells build up, your skin can look dull, rough, or even clogged. Exfoliating helps reveal the fresher, smoother layer underneath.
There are two main types of exfoliation.
* **Physical exfoliation** uses scrubs or brushes to manually lift away dead skin.
* **Chemical exfoliation** uses gentle acids like AHA or BHA to dissolve dead cells without scrubbing.
Both can work, but it’s important not to overdo it. Exfoliating once or twice a week is usually enough for most people. Doing it too often can make your skin irritated, red, or sensitive.
The benefit? Regular exfoliation can help your skin absorb other products better, smooth out texture, and give you a healthy glow. If you’ve ever wondered why your moisturizer or serum isn’t working, it might be because dead skin is blocking the way.
Start slow, listen to your skin, and remember: less is more when it comes to exfoliation.