The *Ultimate* Exfoliation Guide

Hey friends, it's Liv again, Freck Beauty's esthetician-on-call. You might remember me from Alternatives to Botox & Filler and So You Got Burned, Now What..? Thanks for having me back to chat all things exfoliation and how to sluff off winter skin/ get ready for spring!

Our heaters are on, the weather is dry & the cold is making our skin act in ways that can be confusing and often challenging. We can layer our skin with hydrators and hope that our skin doesn’t get too clogged or we can find effective products that will help resurface without causing more damage. We are learning more and more about the microbiome of our skin’s environment & why it is so important to not disrupt the design of our healthy bacteria & pH level. These are some products that are Freck Beauty approved to help maintain our skin's barrier function, while still getting glowing results and a reset for spring.  

For hypersensitive, reactive or allergic skin:

Eminence Organics Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant
(vegan, soy free, nut free, gluten free) 

Depending on the time of year my skin can be fairly sensitive or indestructible. I always keep the stone crop oxygenating fizzoliant on hand during the drier winter months. This gentle but effective scrub uses microgreens, rice flour & adzuki powder to gently remove dead & dull skin without affecting the skins ecosystem. It starts out as a powder but with a few circular motions turns into an oxygenating fizz that brightens and leaves your skin smooth & clear. This is a great product to mix in with your face wash during your morning or evening second cleanse cycle. Use about 3-4 times a week.

For dry skin:

Epicuren Apricot Scrub
(cruelty free, vegan)

Before you go Kylie on us, this is not even close to the St Ives scrub you used in middle school. One of my favorite products of all time, this emollient hydrating scrub is perfect for people with seasonal dryness. You can use a dime amount after your initial evening cleanse. This unique exfoliator contains finely ground up apricot seeds & walnut shells to provide a gentle but thorough cleaning. This scrub will leave you feeling super clean and still hydrated without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. The light apricot fragrance is a bonus & will most likely be a staple product in your skin care arsenal. 

For sensitive to normal skin:

Freck Cactus Water
(Vegan and Cruelty-free, free of phthalates, parabens, gluten & alcohol)

Cactus Water falls into its own special skin category. Not just a toner, not just an exfoliator, this forward-thinking product combines lactic acid with cactus flower & kelp extract to exfoliate and replenish the skin at the same time. The lactic acid provides extra brightening benefits to even-out discoloration & splotchy skin tone. Cactus extract helps to replenish any lost moisture in the skin & Kelp is loaded with antioxidants. With all ingredients working together this product is able to stabilize the skins natural environment while protecting it from any external pollutants or internal oxidation. People with sensitive to normal skin can use this best-selling product with a cotton round morning & night after cleansing.

For normal skin:

Hydropeptide 5x Peel Pads 
(Vegan and cruelty-free, free of gluten, parabens, phthalates, soy, & sulfates)

During the winter I tend to load up on moisturizers to combat dryness, but I want to avoid clogging my pores and encouraging too much excess build up. I’m so grateful for these daily resurfacing pads from Hydropeptide. They combine a blend of acids including glycolic, lactic, salicylic, along with exfoliating peptides. These ingredients work together to enhance clarity, and dissolve dead skin without having to manually scrub. Calming peptides help to minimize irritation or redness and green tea extract restores and heals the skin with antioxidants. Start slow and use only three nights a week and then gradually build up to nightly or every other night after cleansing. Because they are individually pre-packed, they're perfect for travel or after the gym! 

For oily or problematic skin:

Vivant Exfol-A Forté Daily Intensive Vitamin A Serum

This intense exfoliation treatment comes in three different levels & is perfect to use for the winter months. It combines the benefits of Vitamin A, Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid, to smooth skin & provide a clear complexion. Its retinol qualities help to dissolve dead skin as well as soften fine lines & wrinkles. Delivered as a serum, this effective product can be used three times a week nightly, and then gradually to every evening after you’ve cleansed and toned the skin. Because my skin is on the drier side I often use the exfol-a as a treatment when I’m craving a skin reset.  With any retinol or highly acidic product remember to be regular with your daily SPF.

Thanks for reading, Freck Fam! If you have a favorite exfoliating product let us know what & why in the comments! We love learning from you guys.
xo Liv + Team Freck

*Cover via Image Amplified