The quest for spotless skin is not an easy one. Hormone fluctuations, aging, inflammation, acne, and years of inadequate sunscreen coverage are all causes of hyperpigmentation, skin pigment that darkens. Especially during the summer months, increased UV exposure and seasonal heat can also send your body’s natural melanin production into overdrive, causing unsightly dark spots and patches to appear. Though it can happen at any age, the signs of UV damage can even become more obvious around the middle ages. One way to fade the discoloration is by incorporating exfoliating into your weekly skin care routine.
The quest for spotless skin is not an easy one. Hormone fluctuations, aging, inflammation, acne, and years of inadequate sunscreen coverage are all causes of hyperpigmentation, skin pigment that darkens. Especially during the summer months, increased UV exposure and seasonal heat can also send your body’s natural melanin production into overdrive, causing unsightly dark spots and patches to appear. Though it can happen at any age, the signs of UV damage can even become more obvious around the middle ages. One way to fade the discoloration is by incorporating exfoliating into your weekly skin care routine.
Types of Exfoliation, and how they fix Hyperpigmentation
Though some might shy away from exfoliating, a consistent gentle sloughing session can help promote a clearer and more even-toned complexion. According to Kelly Horton-Beeman, pigment specialist and licensed esthetician of San Diego’s FACES SkinGym, routine exfoliation is a key step in diminishing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. “Exfoliation plays an important role in breaking up and shedding deep-rooted pigmented skin cells to support and even-out skin tone, and helps increase cell turnover for fresh, renewed skin.” If you’ve ever wondered how the time-honored K-Beauty approach to skin care achieves its goal for spotless skin, regular exfoliation is a critical factor – it’s step #3 in the regimen.
There are two exfoliating methods for breaking up hyperpigmented cells and regenerating skin: chemical, which exfoliates through a dissolving agent like fruit enzymes, and mechanical, which exfoliates using friction. Horton-Beeman recommends “layering with products that include skin-brightening ingredients like Licorice Root, Niacinamide, and Vitamin C to accelerate the fading process, since exfoliating also helps prep skin to better receive the benefits of other products.”
The one caveat of exfoliating is to not over-do it: excessive exfoliating can actually increase hyperpigmentation. According to Horton-Beeman, “Too much exfoliation or over- exfoliating can trigger inflammatory pigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), dark marks that can occur with damage or irritation.”
Aloisia Beauty's Exfoliating Solutions for Hyperpigmentation
So when we developed our new GLOW Exfoliating Soft Peel, we kept all of this in mind. Formulated with only proven clean, safe ingredients from nature and science, it unites Papaya Fruit enzymes to digest dead skin cells with the gentle buffing benefits of plant-based Microcrystalline Cellulose to tenderly get to the surface of hyperpigmented and dead skin cells. It’s also infused with Licorice Root, one our favorite skin-brightening agents that helps reduce inflammation and inherently inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which has shown to stimulate melanin production. It’s gentle enough to use up to 3 times per week.
And, since GLOW Exfoliating Soft Peel also primes your skin for other products in your skin care routine, it’s perfect for layering with our Brightening Radiance Mask, a sheet mask that delivers Niacinamide, another one of our fading faves, in its formulation, along with Cica, Green Tea, Aloe Vera, and Allantoin, which have also shown to protect against pigmentation and inflammation. Our RENEW Concentrated Serum is excellent choice to layer on after using our exfoliating peel. Our newest serum is powered by a proprietary complex of fermented probiotic actives, vitamins, and antioxidants - working together to support firm hydrated skin, calm inflammation, repair damage, brighten discoloration, and restore radiance to lackluster skin. Lastly, to see the most effect out of your skincare ritual, do not forget to seal in your actives and protect your fresh skin with your favorite cream. Our ULTRA-RICH Moisture Cream repairs and protects your skin's barrier, and locks in long-lasting moisture in order to maintain long-term radiance
Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of exfoliating, you’ll be able to enjoy a spotless summer. And don’t forget your daily sunscreen!
-The Aloisia Beauty Team