Exfoliating for men is one way to scrub off dead skin cells and expose the younger skin underneath. Exfoliating the skin regularly has many advantages, including unclogging pores, reducing acne breakouts, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and making it easier to get a good, smooth shave. The first step to exfoliating for men is choosing a good exfoliating cleanser made with natural exfoliating ingredients, like pumice, seas salt, or granulated fruit seeds. Choosing a tool to apply the cleanser is important, because while an exfoliating cleanser can be applied with the hands, using an exfoliating glove or loofa sponge can be more effective. Exfoliating should be done about three times a week to see the benefits.
Exfoliating for men is somewhat different than exfoliating for women since the skin on a man’s face is different, so it is important that men choose male exfoliating products. Look for products that contain natural exfoliating agents like sea salt, fruit seeds and pumice, as these agents will gently scrub dead skin cells off of the face without causing too much irritation. Many exfoliating products contain alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which can also help loosen and remove dead skin cells. Many people use pumice bar soap for exfoliation, but this isn’t always as effective as using a liquid or foam exfoliating cleanser.
While the hands can be used to apply an exfoliating cleansing, using a glove or sponge can help make the cleanser more effective and beneficial. Using a nylon exfoliating glove to rub the cleanser onto the face will help improve circulation and open up the pores so that dirt and grime can be more easily washed away. A loofa sponge, or some other kind of abrasive facial sponge, will work the cleanser up into a rich lather, which will allow it to reach even deeper into the pores.
Deciding on how often to exfoliate is one of the most important things to consider when exfoliating for men. While exfoliating daily might seem to have the most benefits, over-exfoliating can damage, dry out, and irritate the skin. Over-exfoliating can also over-stimulate the oil glands, causing them to produce more oil, which can clog pores and cause acne breakouts.
Instead, men should try to exfoliate about three times a week. Those who don’t want to exfoliate that often should consider using an exfoliating mask once a week. These types of mask are applied, allowed to harden for several minutes, and then peeled off, taking dirt and dead skin cells with them.