Daniella's Ramblings

Exfoliating is, I have found, really important. It helps keep the skin fresh and clear and is essential to those of us who have to regularly shave, epilate etc as it reduces ingrown hairs and other unsightly bumps. I am happy to present to you some of my top tips that I have dveloped through trial and error. I am no expert and have no training so please treat this free internet based advice with the respect it deserves!

1. Find an exfoliator that works for you. I use a loofah and ordinairy bath or beauty soap. I know of people who use exfoliating soaps and rubs. I find these unnecessary and more expensive in the long run.
2. If you are using a mechanical exfoliator (loofah, facecloth etc) then make sure it is very clean. Wash and rinse it thouroughly after each use. Make sure it air dries properly as well. Bacteria thrives in warm and moist conditions.
3. I recently found this top tip on the interwebz. It suggests microwaving your (non plastic) loofah to kill the germs. It seems a good idea. I would avoid bleach though, that will probably just damage the loofah.
4. Less is more. Seriously, you do not need to remove the entire epidermis. You are not sanding a layer of paint off a table. You just want to softly and gently remove the top layers of dead skin and free up any hairs. This is really important for those of us with more than our fair share of testosterone. Slow down soften up. Be gentle. Love your body.
5. On that note use soap it helps to lubricate things. Leave dry loofahing  to the BDSM folks. Nothing wrong with it but it is a specialist interest rather than a highly productive beauty regime.
6. Use smal circular motions. This keeps it light (hard to apply too much pressure doing this) and it is great for freeing up ingrown hairs.
7. Rinse well.
8. Hair or pat dry, again no need to rub yourself raw with a towel. You want to keep the skin fresh.
9. Mousturise. I like to apply a little antibacterial cream a this time to any problem areas. I then moisturise. I use a very light and unscented acqueous cream. I is natural, light and cheap.
10. Repeat as often as necessary. Again less is more no need to exfoliate three times a day and some areas may need more than others.

A well exfoliated skn is an essential basis for good looking skin. It keeps it clean and healthy and is a great canvas for applying secondary beauty products (makeup, hosiery etc). It takes a bit if time but it is so worth it.

I hope you find this interesting and useful. If anyone has anything to add, or dispute please feel free to comment below.