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Exfoliation DIY: Get Smooth Skin Instantly

Exfoliation DIY: Get Smooth Skin Instantly

Exfoliation DIY for smooth skin instantly now that spring is here - and summer is around the corner. Strappy shirts and short shorts are coming out of the closet, but is your skin ready? Get a dermatologist's tips for soft skin stat!

Did you know that exfoliated skin always looks the best? Yep, it glows, has a dewy youthful luster, and it's soooo soft to the touch. I'm not just talking about the rough elbows or knees; I'm talking about all your skin. Especially your forearms, shoulders, and lower leg skin, all of which go on public display when the weather warms up.

Be proud of how your skin looks, get rid of the dry-looking flakes, and old, crepey texture when you exfoliate and hydrate it. I've used this trick for years and my patients have proven that it works for just about every body's skin. - Dermatologist Dr. Bailey

Exfoliation is so easy to do and the results are almost instant!

How does exfoliation work to make your skin look so much better?

Exfoliation removes the dull, dead cells that build up on the outermost portion of your skin. This is where the dead cells on the top are loose and flaky; they look dry, and they don't reflect light well. When you exfoliate, you're removing these outer cells and getting down to a tighter layer of cells. They reflect light better, have a dewier character, are softer, and are just plain prettier. They also form a better base for an even application of self-tanner.

The easiest way to exfoliate your body skin is with a rough shower cloth or sponge and your normal foaming soap or skin cleanser.

Using a rough shower cloth or sponge is physical exfoliation because you are physically removing the cells.

Salux exfoliation shower cloth for smooth skin instantly

My favorite product to physically exfoliate skin is the Japanese Salux Exfoliating Clothwhich has just the right texture for the perfect exfoliation. I love it when it's used with the Triple Action Exfoliating Cleanser in my Ultra-Fast Body Smoothing Triple Action Kit. The kit below because the body wash has just the right amount of foaming for exfoliation with the Salux. It also contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid and eco-friendly beads to enhance exfoliation for really soft skin.

Pro-tip: my Triple Action Exfoliating Cleanser makes the perfect facial cleanser for glowing skin so it's a 'two-fer'. 

You could also use a gritty body scrub, but some work better than others since some actually make little scratches in the skin. Again, I prefer the Salux Cloth.

After exfoliating, you always want to moisturize your skin and this has to happen pronto - and ideally with an AHA moisturizer! 

Yep, before combing your hair, talking to your partner, or doing anything else, you need to slap that moisturizer on to lock in the water from bathing.

Did you know that the softest, dewiest, smoothest skin happens when you combine the two ways to exfoliate - physical and chemical exfoliation?

Yep, and it's easy! To do this, use the shower cloth and a foaming skin cleanser in the shower to physically exfoliate; then, apply a moisturizer with high levels of exfoliating AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) pronto when you towel dry. AHAs chemically exfoliate meaning they loosen dead cells so that they fall off.

Combining physical and chemical exfoliation is really easy and painless - and very very effective at getting you soft skin instantly. Yep, it's really that easy - and what it can do for your skin is almost magic! My favorite AHA body moisturizer is my Glycolic Acid 15% Body Lotion. I've used it for years and it's magic, really.

exfoliation diy get sooth skin instantly

Get everything you need for DIY body exfoliation in my Ultra-Fast Triple Action Body Smoothing Kit.

You can alternatively use AmLactin which is available over the counter in retail pharmacies. These strong AHA moisturizers can be used as little as twice a week, alternated with your favorite moisturizer, but be sure to moisturize at least your arms, lower legs, and shoulders every day. If you do this, your skin will look wonderful.

In the exam room, I can always tell when my patients are on the moisturizing "band wagon" and when they have fallen off. My job as their skin wellness "cheerleader" is to nudge them back on the wagon. - Dr. B

Spring is the perfect time for that, so I'm nudging.

Got a crusty foot problem that needs the same exfoliation TLC before slipping into spring sandals? 

I've got that all figured out because we "need" to wear good looking sandals when the weather warms up. (My patients will tell you about my little cute shoe "issue.")

exfoliation diy for soft smooth feet

My Soft and Smooth Feet - Rough Skin Remover Kit will whip your (our) feet into sandal-ready/public-display shape ASAP. Be proud of your feet this year. Get what you need to spring clean those dead cells too. (Note that the same Glycolic Body Lotion is in my Soft Foot Kit - it's a 'two-fer'.)

Is exfoliated skin more sun sensitive?

Yep, exfoliated skin has fewer dead cells to scatter UV rays so it is theoretically more vulnerable to sun damage. Take that satiny smooth amazing skin out fully sun protected during the daytime! Click here to see the sunscreens and hats that I recommend and use in my dermatology practice.