Environmentally Friendly Exfoliants

Exfoliation is a necessary part of skin care to remove the outer, dead skin cells to reveal the fresh, new cells underneath. It can prevent pores from getting clogged and causing acne. It also helps skin to look refreshed, rather than dull and dry. It also feels good and invigorating. Not all exfoliants are environmentally friendly, however. Some have the potential to harm marine life.

There are a couple of ways to exfoliate: manual and chemical exfoliation. Manual exfoliation involves scrubbing or brushing the skin. Chemical exfoliation involves a mild acid to slough off cells on the surface. Common peels or masks use like fruit acids and alpha or beta hydrody acids. I'm going to concentrate, right now, on manual exfoliating. Many women use scrubs, loofahs, or brushes for exfoliating their bodies. For most women, exfoliating once a week is sufficient.

What to use for exfoliating

About Microbeads

Many body washes and facial cleansers contain microbeads to help gently exfoliate skin. They seem gentle, and seem like a good idea. Until one realizes what they are made out of and what happens to them after they are used. The tiny plastic beads go down the drain and go out to the water supply to become pollutants and become a danger to sea life.

Loofahs

I used to believe that loofahs were made from the remains of a sea creature. The truth is that a loofah is made from a dried cucumber-like plant. If you use a loofah, replace it regularly because it can become unsanitary. Shower poufs, loofahs, and other sponges harbor bacteria.

What I use to exfoliate

I like to use coffee grounds or ground almonds. Sugar and salt scrubs are nice to.







updated 3/24/2014