Who's spreading rumours that's its not masculine to exfoliate? Well whoever it is, just ignore them. Seriously though, that's just stupid… The world of beauty and self-grooming has always been a little bit obscure in terms of what is a fact and what is just fiction. It really does pay your mind thinking about things logically and that's what we are doing here with today's post. Let's get clear about exfoliation and why you've not been getting the results you wanted.

Exfoliator for MenOk, so let's get factful and break it down to a simplistic form. Firstly, exfoliation does not make less of a man. Fact. Any man who still abides by this nonsense is a moron. That is just the sad (and blunt) truth. To be fair, you've just been misinformed and I myself fell victim to this before I became somewhat of a skincare guru. I've worked a good number of the years around the skincare industry and from my own personal enjoyment around the subject. I feel it would be good to pass on what knowledge I have regarding the skincare myths that continue to circulate.

The science bit: Exfoliation is the abrasive treatment you give your skin to improve the quality and health. There are many forms of exfoliation and methods available: mechanical, chemical, peptides, enzymes, retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids. The science and technology behind skincare is always evolving and we have such a great arsenal of methods in treating our skin. It is also important to know that over exfoliation will cause a great deal of uncomfortable problems for you skin. It is all about finding a balance, in the products and approaches that work for you and your skin type directly.
*AN EXAMPLE - Someone who's skin is prone to being more sensitive, should be limiting the amount exfoliating per week. You should steer away from coarser and more abrasive scrubs, tools & treatments. Opt for exfoliation products that are suitable for specific skin types.

The process of exfoliation can be done for the skin on your face and the skin across your body. It really is important to choose the correct product for you as this will have a huge impact on your overall outcome. What ingredients are also an important factor lads, as you are shifting the debris from your skin, not scratching or causing micro-tears. Look out for ingredients that are finely ground into a powder. Flax seeds & apricot kennels are often formulated this way to provide enough friction against the skin to slough and not cut.

It is also great to know that the skin on your face is completely different to the skin across your body. You may find you need to exfoliate the skin on your body more often, due to its increased thickness/toughness. Facial skin is incredibly thinner and with this comes easier tearing and more sensitivity. Your body however has a stronger protective barrier, that puts up with the rubbing of clothes and sheer day-to-day stress that's thrown in its face (or body in this case). Body scrubs are
generally composed of more abrasive ingredients, salt, sugar or coffee. These allow you to really work the targeted area to smooth and buff out any hardened skin.

Let's get to the facts: Regular exfoliation is important in both facial and body regions, you'll find:
- Without exfoliating, your skin becomes hardened, more congested, or both. Dead skin cells build up across the surface and this creates waves of problems towards your skin's overall health and performance. Remember that your skin is an organ and like your other internal organs has a functioning system. - Exfoliation regularly will aid in the prevention and treatment towards, inflamed or clogged pores and body breakouts.

Turns out you can get spots anyway on your body, not just your face. Keep an eye on places where spots may seem to congregate more on your own body. For some its not the face, but just down the legs. I myself have experienced more across my body and head, than across my face. - Exfoliating away build-ups across the skin allows for fresher skin to form and grow underneath. Truth be told guys; you are shedding flakes of skin throughout the day and night. Unfortunately, there will be flakes that just sit put and become more congested overtime. - Shifting these dead skin cells from your face allows for increased cell turnover. Something important towards skin function and performance - Each day and night you shed skin flakes naturally.

Those that don't shed, sit and congest in areas across your skin. Without shifting these dead cells, your skin cannot receive oxygen and therefore its natural turnover becomes hindered. - Acne is prevented, along with blackheads and whiteheads. By regulating the exfoliation process you're more likely to have skin that is freer these imperfections, because bacteria won't have more options for homes across your skin. - Your skin tone will become more even. With patience and the correct tools at your disposal, skin imperfections may be treated to give you results that leave you feeling more confident. Scarring, rough texturing, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs are amongst some common skin problems that can be treated. You can work towards retexturing your skins surface to be and feel softer. - You'll find other skin products aren't able to penetrate your skin deeper and more proficiently. I'm talking those potent and luxury serums, essences and oils. You'll be shocked to know that you could be getting more from each one of these if your skin is regularly exfoliated.

These types of products (which are bloody brilliant & my favourite part) have been scientifically created to delve deeper into the skin's layers and travel to the core (where your skin cells are located). They'd have a tougher time reaching their end goal if the skin was blocked unnecessary… Do you see what I am getting at? I don't want to pay 'X' amount of money to only have my serum give me a lacklustre performance towards my skin. Neither should you!! - Your skins circulation and lymphatic drainage is boosted. Going on what we said about your skin's natural turnover. When you exfoliate you allow newer skin to form and grow in its place. Slugging off dead skin allows oxygen-rich blood to find its way to the surface. This then helps to give you a complexion that appears fuller in colour. Side by side lymphatic drainage is also stimulated by the movements created by regular exfoliating. You essentially help the circulation in and around your skin, which leads to a fresher, brighter and natural glow in your complexion. - Lastly in a nutshell, it leaves you cleaner and feeling fresher. Have you ever visited London on a day out and gotten home, only to realise you can feel London on your skin? Just me? Exfoliation extracts all the nasties that hide in and on your skin, to leave you with a clear base to work upon. In the process, overtime your skin's complexion bounces back, is retextured, better circulated and visibly more different. - You are manly status doesn't change after you exfoliate. Humour me on this chaps!

It all works like a ripple effect really you guys. By not exfoliating you are allowing your skin to be lacklustre, less hydrated and therefore increase the accumulation of dead skin cell build up. Overall, your complexion will look a bit 'meh'. So, it makes sense to actually get into the habit of doing it regularly. Otherwise you'd be a right fool not to be.