Did you know there’s a right (and a wrong) way to exfoliate? Everyone wants to have a natural, glowing complexion. Our skin’s tone is at its best when we use nurturing ingredients and products that gently rejuvenate. Exfoliating treatments are an excellent tool in your skincare arsenal. If they are used improperly, however, they can cause more harm than good.

That luminous look is not unattainable. When you start with the right skincare regimen, remember a few tips, and add your own amazing sparkle, you’ll have that natural glow. Let’s look at the right way to add exfoliation to your skincare routine.
Ingredients to Avoid
As with anything you put on or in your body, it is always best to know what ingredients are used, and how they affect your health. Marketing is a clever beast, always using greenwashing terminology to make you think that the entire composition of the product is safe. While this may be the case, there are still plenty of chemicals to avoid.
Of course we always preach on parabens, petroleum-based products, SLS, fragrance, and the other usual suspects. But did you know that many “natural” products should never be used on your skin? Let’s look at those:
Baking Soda– It seems scrubby and harmless, right? In truth, baking soda can mess with the pH balance of your face.
Lemon- The use of lemon in concentrated form, or fresh from the fruit, are both highly acidic. Like its alkaline counterpart, your pH gets all out of whack.
Toothpaste– Not everything on YouTube is the gospel… Most conventional toothpastes contain ingredients we don’t even like brushing our teeth with. They can irritate your skin. Toothpaste may contain SLS, triclosan, and it can affect the pigmentation of your skin.
Sugar– While we use sugar for body scrubs, this granular goodness should not be used on your face’s delicate skin. 
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)– Commonly used as a chemical peel, it is currently under scrutiny for being a potential human carcinogen.(1)
The Right Way to Exfoliate
We live in a world that often whispers, “if some is good, more is better”. With the exception of love and chocolate, we know this isn’t always true. When it comes to exfoliating, more is definitely not the best choice.
Dermatologists and Aestheticians agree that over-exfoliation can cause irritation, acne, strip your skin of protective moisture, and potentially advance ageing. The best recommendation is to exfoliate two to three times per week, except for those with sensitive skin. They should aim for once a week.
Exfoliants can basically be placed in two categories: manual or chemical. Manual exfoliants are typically scrubs, brushes, or other tools that physically slough off dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants are those that create a chemical reaction, breaking the bond between dead skin cells.
In general, the best way to use manual exfoliants is to work in a circular motion, using a light amount of pressure. Over-scrubbing can cause irritation, even with the best products. Chemical exfoliants are also best applied in a circular motion, in order to penetrate skin cells.
KIND soap offers two exfoliating products, our Lavender Detox Activated Charcoal Scrub & Mask, and our Rosewater Glycolic Masque. Each exfoliator is made with ingredients that are KIND to your skin.
Our Lavender Detox Activated Charcoal Scrub & Mask is a time-saving, multi-tasking combo you’ll reach for several times a week. With the deep cleansing action of activated charcoal, the soothing properties of lavender, and some anti-aging super ingredients, your face has never had it so good.

Reveal fresh, glowing skin with our naturally-derived Rosewater Glycolic Masque. The aroma alone is worth it…delicately scented with rosewater. The gentle, but effective exfoliating action of glycolic acid eliminates dull, dead skin cells and leaves you with a radiant glow.

The Tea Tree Rx Charcoal Mask is the perfect weekly treatment for oily or acne prone skin.  Activated charcoal draws impurities from your pores and Tea Tree essential oil kills bacteria for a cleaner, clearer complexion. Take that blackheads!

Our Dead Sea Mud Mask is loaded with magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium to nourish and revitalize your face. It’s good for all skin types, and especially beneficial for those with skin disorders such as eczema and acne. Your youthful glow will be raised up again.

The Perfect Finish
Of course exfoliating is only one element in the pursuits of healthy, glowing skin. The best start is what goes in your body (thankfully, dark chocolate makes the list!). After cleansing, exfoliating helps rejuvenate your face. We also recommend following up with a toner, then moisturizer.
No two faces are alike. We get that. That’s why we’re here to help you find the right KIND skincare line that brings out your best. Got acne? Try our Tea Tree Rx line of products. Wanting to preserve an ageless look? Our Rosewater Collection is one great option. Looking for an all-in-one solution for those time-pressed days? Our All Things Facial Oil will be your new BFF.
As always, KIND soap company is dedicated to remaining KIND to your skin, the earth, and others. We want to hear from you, our KIND fans, so we can help you discover your best skin.
 
Sources:

1. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/a-warning-on-chemical-peels/