You are a grown woman, which means an exfoliator needs to be part of your beauty regime. Your face cannot afford to be without one! Your skin cells are always regenerating, about every 28-31 days if you’re younger and a little bit longer if you’re, ahem, a bit more mature. Without help to slough off and remove these dead skin cells, they can lead to clogged pores and dull skin — and prevent your skincare products from being effective.
Whether you are dealing with adult acne or fine lines, sunspots or dull skin, all of the skincare products you use — serums, lotions, foundations and more — will work better when you have exfoliated skin. Here are three options I’m loving at every price range.
Splurge: The luxury face exfoliator
I recently tried The Lancer Method three-part system, which includes an exfoliator, gentle cleanser and moisturizer. My favorite is the exfoliator, by far. The system has you exfoliate before you cleanse, an interesting switch of steps but one that is designed to better prepare your skin for cleansing.
The exfoliating Polish is pretty gritty, which I love. It combines a self-warming element to make the exfoliation more effective, along with pure minerals and pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes to remove surface debris and dull, dry skin cells. Plus, it has lavender in it, which makes it divine to use before bed. It is not cheap, but with fans like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian looking to get that “Lancer glow,” it might be a worthwhile skin treat. (Psst! If you’re on the fence, buy it through Sephora so you can return it if it’s not a great fit for your skin.)
Save: The drugstore face exfoliator
Despite my love of Lancer, you don’t have to spend a bundle to to keep your skin exfoliated. Head to your nearest Target beauty section or Ulta store to pick up one of my drugstore faves: the Boots Botanics Microdermabrasion Polish Age Defense. For $13, you get a powerful polish made of superfine pumice particles that can be used once a week to buff off those dead skin cells. The polish also combines the antioxidant power of ginkgo extract and the soothing moisture of shea butter to leave your skin looking fresh and smooth. This scrub is also pretty gritty, so if you have sensitive skin, you might want to pass.
DIY: Make your own face exfoliator
Want an even simpler and more affordable exfoliator that will still slough off that dead surface skin? Head to the kitchen and grab your baking soda. Mix a teaspoon or so with some water or your favorite creamy cleanser to make a paste and massage onto your skin. The baking soda is super fine so it won’t irritate your skin, and since you can mix it with water or a cleanser, and adjust the amount you add, it’s easy to customize the formula to fit your skin.