Why you should be exfoliating with antioxidants
Antioxidants have a multitude of skin-benefitting qualities — they can help brighten, soften, energize, protect and smooth your skin. On top of all that they can help exfoliate your skin which helps shed your surface skin layer and dead cells, revealing fresh and glowing skin. We’re looking at some great ways to exfoliate using antioxidants.
Why should I exfoliate?
Cleansing and moisturizing your skin is a fantastic foundation for skin care but we recommend also exfoliating so that you can remove the dead skill cells that can accumulate on the surface layer and allow your products to work more effectively. Right after exfoliating your skin it will look refreshed and feel soft to the touch. Depending on your skin type, try to exfoliate at least once a week either with a gentle yet effective scrub or exfoliator. Exfoliation doesn’t have to hurt to work. In fact some of the most effective exfoliators out there don’t contain beads, crystals, sugars or grains, they use antioxidants and acids to help remove surface skin cells and reveal a more youthful you.
1. Retinol/Pro-retinol
Retinol or pro-retinol, is a Vitamin A derivative and one of the most recognizable antioxidants in skin care. It is suited for most skin types and can be refreshing. Retinol can help make your skin appear firmer. It also has exfoliating qualities which can help shed old skin and can minimize the appearance of large pores. You don’t need to use a scrub with retinol to get its exfoliating qualities. If you want to discover the amazing qualities of pro-retinol, try Garnier SkinActive Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Serum + Moisturizer infused with vitamin E, pro-retinol, and Rice Peptides for intense hydration.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C can help skin appear more plump and replenish tired skin and exfoliate. According to Garnier consulting dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes, dark spots in the skin are caused by excess melanin production as well as sun damage. Topical Vitamin C is a mild exfoliator that can help lighten brown spots with continued daily use. A great way to use Vitamin C as an exfoliator and skin brightener is Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Overnight Peel which helps evens skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots while you sleep.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help renew and keep skin soft. It makes a great ingredient in gentle exfoliators, leaving the skin feeling more refined but without irritating it as some granular scrubs can do. Exfoliating with Vitamin E is recommended for drier skin types as this antioxidant has replenishing and nourishing qualities.
4. Green Tea
Green tea has antioxidant qualities and also contains vitamins and minerals. It contains B vitamins, folate, polyphenols and amino acids. Green tea-infused products can help clarify, cleanse and gently exfoliate skin when used in the form of a scrub or exfoliator. Exfoliating with a green tea exfoliating product can help your skin attain softness and glow. Green tea also has a calming influence that makes it a helpful antioxidant in sheet masks to soothe redness and calm the skin.
5. Argan Nuts
Do you like the clean feeling that comes from gently scrubbing dead skin cells away? Look for a physical exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin, like argan nuts. Garnier SkinActive Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is infused with finely ground argan nut shells to physically exfoliate the skin. The product also has Vitamin C to help with brightness and leave your skin glowing.
6. Charcoal
If you have combination skin a daily gel exfoliator can help target the T-Zone to deeply cleanse away oil and impurities. Garnier Clean+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub is infused with charcoal to attract dirt and impurities like a magnet, leaving your pores clean. It helps soften dry areas and balance skin. It’s a gentle exfoliator that can make your skin maintain glow and smoothness every day.
