5 easy steps for glowing, more youthful looking skin

I’ve been in denial for awhile now that I’m aging.  I’m only 27 years old and it just seems unfair that my youthful, vibrant skin is starting to dull.  I notice these fine lines around my eyes and it’s really starting to freak me out.  For the last few months I’ve been researching anti-aging products and moisturizers and anything else I can find to help this aging process just run it’s coarse a little more gracefully.  In my quest to find the perfect product I keep running into this whole exfoliation topic so I decided to dig a little further.  I’m sharing with you 5 reasons to exfoliate and how to get that glowing skin back you had in your teens and early 20‘s.  While this applies to your face, exfoliating your entire body is just as important to rejuvenate that winter-weary skin.

Improve Texture.  Exfoliating is undoubtedly one of the best ways to revive dull skin.  As skin matures it becomes drab and lifeless.  If your skin feels dry or it looks like you’re wearing an alligator – thanks a lot Utah winter – exfoliating on a regular basis will help improve your skins texture and leave it softer than ever before.  It’s important to exfoliate daily to help that skin kick over and start producing new cells.

There are two tools I’d recommend for your face.  The first is the Mia Clarisonic and I use mine morning and night.  It ensures I don’t have any leftover makeup on my skin before going to bed and it gives the skin a nice soft scrub.  I purchased mine on Amazon for $105.  It’s now selling for $150 I believe but follow it on camelcamelcamel and it’ll notify you when the price drops.  I’ve also tried the Olay Cleansing System.  The scrubber works well and for the price point I think it’s a great alternative.  To splurge or save?  It just all depends on your budget but the Clarisonic in my opinion is worth every penny.  For your body I’d recommend exfoliating daily with a glove and some exfoliating body wash!

Prevents aging.  Here’s the deal with exfoliation and aging- your skin has this natural ability to cast off dead skin cells.  When we’re younger it does this often and that’s what makes the young look youthful.  As you age though, your skin cells turn over slower.  Deeply exfoliating once a week is going to force your skin to rejuvenate quicker, restoring that youthful appearance

There are many things you can do to get that deep exfoliation, the most pricey of which would be to get a microdermabrasion done at a spa.  But seriously, who has money for that?  There’s some really great sugar scrubs for your body (I’ll be sharing one of my favorite DIY sugar scrubs in the next couple weeks so stay tuned) and you’ll just want to apply to your body and then scrub in a circular motion starting at the bottoms of your feet and working your way up.  You can use a loofah, a glove or just your hands.  For your face I’ve found two things I can’t live without.  I’ve been using the Salis Skincare Scrub in Lavender and Jasmine weekly, or every few days while I’m in the shower.  THE BEST STUFF EVER.  It’s a salt scrub and has redmond healing salt and organic oils that moisturize and heal the skin.  A great deep exfoliator you’d use on your face.  The next thing I absolutely swear by and love with all my heart is the PMD.  I know it’s a little pricey but if you’ve ever priced out anti-aging products you know how expensive of a market it is.  Save your pennies and this would be the first thing I’d buy.  I’ll be making a little how to video in the next little bit so you can see exactly how it’s used and why it’s so awesome!

Prevent breakouts.  Exfoliating can prevent breakouts as it helps keep your pores unclogged and dirt free.  Makeup, pollution, and oils from your skin get trapped underneath the surface if it’s not cleaned properly and that often results in breakouts.  Exfoliating will help your skin breath fresh and it’ll force it to turn over and produce new skin cells faster.

Even out skin tone.  I have really uneven tone, I can forget about leaving the house without foundation on.  Since I’ve started following a regular exfoliation regimen, I’ve noticed my skin is bright and has a natural glow to it.  Because I’m helping my body shed those dead layers of skin, my skin is turning over and producing fresh skin cells making my skin tone much smoother and more even.  I use the PMD once a week and the clarisonic every morning and night and while it took a couple months of consistent use, I’m loving the results and can absolutely see a difference in my skin.

Helps moisturizer penetrate the skin.  When new skin cells generate, your skin becomes more absorbent.  All those expensive lotions you’ve been using can finally do their job!  In the winter my heels become super dry — no amount of lotion helps.  It’s almost as if I put the lotion on and it just sits on top of the skin.  I was sent the Clarisonic Pedi last year and have been using it religiously.  It softens up and removes the dead skin and when I get out of the shower I can really feel the lotion penetrate the skin.  It’s a great tool and I find I’m more consistent at scrubbing with it because I don’t have to use my own elbow grease!  For a cheaper alternative I really like this one too.  If your skin isn’t prepped for lotion (my favorite here), it’s just going to sit on top of the skin without actually working on it.  I’ve been using the Jose Maran Argan Oil since December and it’s been the perfect moisturizer.  My face is incredibly dry in the winter and I haven’t been able to find a good moisturizer for my face, I use proactiv and their moisturizer really doens’t moisturize.  After reading a million reviews I decided to try out the oil and it’s been great.  I even use it to soften up my hair, on my heels and hands.  A little bit goes a long way but it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite, can’t-live-without products!

Information overload, but I had to share not only how important exfoliating is but what products and tools I use to help get the job done.  Keep in mind I live in Utah and it’s extremely dry here!  What are some products you’ve been using?  I’d love to hear what your routine looks like!