Exfoliation – it’s the key to keeping your mug looking younger and more refreshed, so why is it the one step you forget all about? “During childhood or early adulthood the skin renews itself very fast but, with age, this process slows down and dead cells begin to build up. This contributes to dull and tired looking skin,” says Cape Town Dermatologist Dr Dagmar Whitaker. Her solution? “Add exfoliation to your grooming routine. This way you’ll remove the dead layer and speed up regeneration of new skin.” Just don’t overdo it. Scrubbing too hard, or too often, will harm rather than heal. Limit your buffing to once or twice a week.
1. The Power Tool
This ultra-gentle exfoliating face brush works with your cleanser to sweep away
surface debris and impurities, making your morning wash even more effective. Apply a small amount of cleanser to your face, wet the brush and work over the entire area using a circular motion. Exfoliating Face Brush from Dermalogica.
2. The Bump Control
When it comes to controlling razor bumps and shaving
irritation, salicylic acid is
your new best friend. It’ll soothe any razor burn and help to prevent ingrown hairs. Clicks Men’s Bump Control with Salicylic Acid 100ml from Clicks.
3. The Foaming Scrub
This effective cleansing gel formula, which contains extra fine scrub particles, vitamin E and menthol, cleans the skin and unclogs pores. Apply
a small amount to your face and massage gently, avoiding
the eye area. Nivea Men Exfoliating Face Scrub 75ml from Dis-Chem.
4. The Chemical Peel
This peel works overnight
by stimulating your skin’s
biological exfoliation process.
It doesn’t hurt, but what it does do is leave you with noticeably smoother and clearer skin by the time your alarm clock goes off. Just make sure your girlfriend doesn’t get her hands on it. Kiehl’s Overnight Biological Peel 50ml from Edgars
5. The Triple Blast
The hardest working product in your bathroom. Kaolin clay removes debris, volcanic ash scrubs away dead skin cells and glycolic acid loosens the stuff that’s not quite ready
to go. Consider this a daily wash, preshave scrub and mask all in one. Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser 150ml from
Metro Cosmetics.
Bonus Tip:
Smooth Out The Edges
Save your girl from your scaly knees, heels and elbows – wait until after a warm shower and smooth them with a soft bath brush and the glycolic acid product on this page, says dermatologist Dr Kenneth Beer. But go easy: “Men think they can grind dead skin away, but that makes it worse,” he says.
